Is Zinc An Opponent Or Companion For Kidney Stones Formation?

Nikki Attkisson | Last Updated : June 18, 2021

A new study discovers the unrevealed factors on kidney diseases that zinc can be harmful and helpful for kidney stones. Two different theories were found about zinc factors. 

Researchers say that there is an emerging conjecture on zinc and kidney stones. One study suggests that zinc pauses the extension of oxalate crystals that forms the stones; another study suggests that zinc swaps the surface of the crystals for further growth.

Is Zinc An Opponent Or Companion For Kidney Stones Formation?

Senior author Jeffrey Rimer had investigated the situations with a proverb of a double-edged brand. The zinc findings are quite different which are never seen. The abnormalities of the zinc are considered as nucleate centers for the growth of new crystals.

Is Zinc An Opponent Or Companion For Kidney Stones Formation?

Jeffrey Rimer, a senior professor on chemical and biomolecular engineering at Houston University stated that zinc sometimes slowdowns the productivity of calcium oxalate crystals when the surface is changed by the crystals. This productivity causes imperfection in the formation of intergrowth. 

In a recent University news release, Rimer explained that abnormalities in the formation of new crystals are tended to grow and nucleate in the centers of creation. The production of high zinc may form kidney stones, kidney stones are very hard and massive with high masses of crystallization. 

Jeffrey investigated how to learn the effects of zinc on the growth of kidney stones. Rimer and his team have done researches and experiments in the lab to know the techniques of new ways on leading factors for preventive measures of kidney stones.

Doctors also investigated the other affecting factors of foods that help to form kidney stones, the foods are represented as; chocolates, spinach, tea, beetroot, and rhubarb. If these foods are recommended by the physician, then he/she may suggest to the decrease the amount of food intake. 

Rimer advised the factors about the tools which are enabled to understand the molecular level of various species that helps to regulate the crystal growth with urine. He and the researchers examined the other ions which affect the formation of kidney stones. The risky ions mentioned are magnesium, etc.

Health communities warn about the formation of kidney stones that, if large stones were formed, they may get thrust in the urinary tracts and results in severe pain and blood loss in urine. Kidney stones are launched with calcium oxalate crystals and other inorganic proteins and salts with a hard deposition.

All the researchers were surprised that what happens if alternative ions are used which are commonly found in urine. Magnesium is taken as an example for the investigation of alternative ion and the result was nothing.

Later they proved that zinc shows the major effect on kidney stones compared to other ions. Jeffrey said that “this will have remained as a magnificent demonstration on subtlety factors with the difference of nature that impacts the variant species of crystal surfaces on the interaction of study analysis”. 

Zinc effects on kidney stones are being more common and result in enlarged sufferings with a deep rise in costs in medication and other diagnosis treatments, Said Rimer.


Nikki Attkisson

With over 15 years as a practicing journalist, Nikki Attkisson found herself at Powdersville Post now after working at several other publications. She is an award-winning journalist with an entrepreneurial spirit and worked as a journalist covering technology, innovation, environmental issues, politics, health etc. Nikki Attkisson has also worked on product development, content strategy, and editorial management for numerous media companies. She began her career at local news stations and worked as a reporter in national newspapers.

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