Mineral Water for Prevention of Renal Stones

The life time risk of developing nephrolithiasis is about 10-15% in the western world, but can be as high as 20-25% in the middle east. Evidence suggests that the incidence and prevalence of kidney stones is increasing globally which represent a significant economic burden. Besides the lack of hydration, the most common metabolic abnormalities associated with calcium stones are hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia and hyperoxaluria. In addition, low urinary pH from consumption of non-dairy animal protein has been associated with reduced urinary citrate and increased uric acid stones which form a nidus for subsequent calcium oxalate precipitates.

Dietary modification is the first line approach in the treatment of idiopathic calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis. General advice includes adequate hydration, avoiding oxalate-rich foods, and consumption of an adequate amount of calcium. Adequate hydration is an easy and effective way of preventing stones. Siener et al found in healthy men, consumption of mineral water rich in magnesium and bicarbonate resulted in favourable changes in urinary pH, magnesium and citrate excretion (inhibitors of CaOx stone formation). Our pilot study in 10 young and healthy surgical residents also revealed similar results after drinking bicarbonate rich mineral water for 1 week.

In this study, the investigators compared the effect of drinking bicarbonate rich mineral water with plain water on urine biochemistry in a prospective randomized study in patients with known CaOx stones. The investigators hypothesize that the intake of bicarbonate rich mineral water, particularly at meal times, reduces stone risk via reduction in urinary oxalate through increased intestinal oxalate binding with dietary calcium. Other potential benefits of mineral water include increased urinary stone inhibitors like magnesium, citrate and alkalinisation of urine.