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The hardness of water refers to the calcium and magnesium ion content in the water. The higher the content, the greater the hardness. An easy way to tell the difference is that hard water will leave a layer of scale on the bottom of the kettle when heated.
Because everyone knows that calcium is an important component of calculi, it is easy to associate that the more calcium you eat, the easier it is to form calculi. In fact, not enough evidence to support this theory, some studies have found that drinking hard and soft water is not directly related to urinary stones, even in some soft water There is an opposite phenomenon in the incidence of urolithiasis in regions with hard water quality, such as the southeastern United States, Thailand, and southeastern China, where the incidence of kidney stones is higher, but the drinking water is soft water. The drinking water in the area is hard water, but the incidence of urinary system stones is not high. [1]
And, contrary to the above associations contrary, Calcium supplementation also has a certain role in preventing stone formation. This is because the role of oxalic acid in the formation of calcium oxalate stones is much greater than that of urinary calcium, and a high-calcium diet can cause calcium to combine with oxalic acid to form non-absorbable precipitates in the intestinal tract, thereby reducing intestinal absorption of oxalic acid and making urinary oxalic acid. Excretion is also reduced, therefore, reducing the risk of developing urinary stones. [2]
This phenomenon was also confirmed in a large prospective study where higher dietary calcium (400-1200 mg/day) was associated with urological On the contrary, the incidence of gallstones was lower and was an independent factor, regardless of the presence or absence of dairy products in the diet. [3]
Furthermore, drinking plenty of water can actually help prevent stones. Studies have found that genetic factors, long-term drinking too little water, excessive intake of animal protein, and excessive sodium intake are the real risk factors for stone formation. [2-4]
However, you should also pay attention to the appropriate amount of calcium supplementation. If you eat more than 1500mg per day for a long time, it may increase the risk of urinary tract stones.
References:
[1] HADDOCK RL, OLSON DR, BACKER L, et al. Urolithiasis, Urinary Cancer, and Home Drinking Water Source in the United States Territory of Guam, 2006 2010 [J]. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2016, 13(6): E523.
[2] Wang Zhenzhen et al. Application of dietary guidance in accelerated recovery of patients undergoing different types of urinary calculi surgery. Qilu Nursing Journal, 2020.26(04)
[3] TAYLOR EN, CURHAN GC. Dietary calcium from dairy and nondairy sources, and risk of symptomatic kidney stones[J]. J Urol, 2013, 190(4): 1255-1259
[4] Liu Zhengdao, Yi Honggang, She Hui, Liu Hang. Research progress on etiology of urinary calculi[J]. Modern Medicine and Health, 2018, 34(18): 2839-2842 .
[5] Xiao Cuirong, Li Fang. Investigation of dietary risk factors and nursing intervention strategies in patients with urinary calculi. Journal of Practical Clinical Medicine, 2016.20(2):165-166
Editor: Xiaohui
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