Many factors including a family history, diseases such as gout and hyperthyroidism, immobilization, and fluid and diet intake are thought to influence risk of kidney stones. There is no scientific evidence that diet influences kidney stones in healthy individuals. However, in individuals genetically predisposed to this medical condition, diet may play a secondary role. A low calcium intake may increase the risk of kidney stones in healthy individuals. Calcium restriction may lead to kidney stones by increasing the intestinal absorption and urinary excretion of oxalate.
Urinary oxalate is more important than urinary calcium for kidney stone formation.
Individuals at risk for developing kidney stones should avoid excessive intakes of calcium, as may occur with calcium supplements. However, for the general healthy population, recommended intakes of dietary calcium should be consumed not only to reduce risk of kidney stones, but also other diseases such as osteoporosis. Because there is no one cause or type of kidney stone, treatment should be individualized. Consensus Development Conference Statement. Optimal Calcium Intake.