10 Causes of Kidney Stones
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Cause #5: Low Calcium Intake
While excess calcium can combine with oxalates to form calcium stones, low calcium intake can also lead to the development of kidney stones. Calcium readily binds to oxalates, which works positively when there is the right amount of calcium in the diet.
Dietary calcium combines with oxalates within the small intestine so that the oxalates are excreted in the stool instead of absorbed into the bloodstream. However, when calcium intake is inadequate, the oxalates are absorbed into the bloodstream. Once they get to the kidneys, they combine with the available calcium to form calcium stones.
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