What Does The Research Say
A 2012 study presented to the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society found that calcium and vitamin D supplements could increase a persons risk for developing kidney stones.
The use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation may not be as benign as previously thought, said principal investigator J. Christopher Gallagher, M.D. He and his team studied healthy, postmenopausal women aged 52 to 85.
While the 12-month study didnt include any cases of kidney stones, it did show a significant number of cases of elevated calcium in the blood and urine. And other studies have found that such elevated calcium levels can contribute over the longer term to the formation of kidney stones.
People should not exceed the guidelines suggested by the Institute of Medicine, which are 800 international units of vitamin D, and 800-1,200 mg per day of calcium,Dr. Gallagher told Renal & Urology News.
Healthconditions That Require Kidney Screenings
If you have one of thesehealth conditions, or if you or your family has a history of kidney problems,its important to have your kidneys checked once a year:
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- High cholesterol.
But even if you dont haveany risk factors, a yearly check-up with blood pressure check, lab and urinetests is the only way to get a clear picture of your kidney function, says Dr.Heyka.
How Should I Take Schiff Move Free
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to use Schiff Move Free, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Do not use different formulations of chondroitin and glucosamine at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of chondroitin and glucosamine.
If you need surgery or dental work, stop taking Schiff Move Free at least 2 weeks ahead of time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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Areyou At Risk For Kidney Disease
Most people with kidneydisease dont have any symptoms until theyre very sick. So unless your doctorhas tested your kidney function, you cant be sure that you dont have kidneyproblems.
A few simple tests will tellyour doctor how well your kidneys are working. He or she will:
- Check your blood pressure.
- Take a blood sample and test the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, which are indicators of how well your kidneys are cleaning your blood.
- Take a urine sample to check for blood, infection or protein in your urine.
Even slightly higher thannormal blood pressure or cholesterol increases your risk for kidney disease,stresses Dr. Heyka. So keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and weight incheck, as well as your blood sugar if you have diabetes. And, as always, makesure you tell your doctor about every vitamin, herbal remedy and nutritionalsupplement you take.
Where To Buy Lab Grade Glucosamine
There have been a large number of reports of highly inferior and toxic dog supplements on the market in the past few years. The problem is worsening due to the explosion of internet shopping and the import of cheap products from China that have not been tested and which have no FDA oversight. Most of these unscrupulous brands are selling weak ingredients and often are being found to include toxic chemicals, fillers and dangerous heavy metals.
Below are two companies that weve tested and found to produce lab grade glucosamine and chondroitin. They are more expensive as the ingredients are of a higher quality and theyve undergone independent testing in US and European labs.
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A Providence Physician Provides More Insights On Causes Of Kidney Stones And How To Avoid Them
Congratulations! Youve gotten in the habit of working out. Thats terrific.
While the benefits of working out are undeniable, there are some things to be cautious about. For example, the jury remains out on some of those tablets, shakes, powders and liquids that promise to boost your stamina or provide other benefits. In at least a couple of cases, workout supplements have been linked to kidney stones.
While the research isnt conclusive, its worth bearing in mind as you move forward on your journey to a stronger, more durable body.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects
Side effects are uncommon but may include mild gas and soft stools. Studies are limited for this supplement however, and therefore information regarding side effects is also limited.
This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.
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Overview Of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are mainly lodged in the kidney . Mankind has been afflicted by urinary stones since centuries dating back to 4000 B.C. , and it is the most common disease of the urinary tract. The prevention of renal stone recurrence remains to be a serious problem in human health . The prevention of stone recurrence requires better understanding of the mechanisms involved in stone formation . Kidney stones have been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney diseases , end-stage renal failure , cardiovascular diseases , diabetes, and hypertension . It has been suggested that kidney stone may be a systemic disorder linked to the metabolic syndrome. Nephrolithiasis is responsible for 2 to 3% of end-stage renal cases if it is associated with nephrocalcinosis .
The symptoms of kidney stone are related to their location whether it is in the kidney, ureter, or urinary bladder . Initially, stone formation does not cause any symptom. Later, signs and symptoms of the stone disease consist of renal colic , flank pain , hematuria , obstructive uropathy , urinary tract infections, blockage of urine flow, and hydronephrosis . These conditions may result in nausea and vomiting with associated suffering from the stone event . Thus, the treatment and time lost from work involves substantial cost imposing an impact on the quality of life and nation’s economy.
Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
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Preventive Options For Urolithiasis
Effective kidney stone prevention depends upon addressing the cause of stone formation. Generally, to prevent the first episodes of kidney stone formation or its secondary episodes, proper management of diet and the use of medications is required. Primary prevention of kidney stone disease via dietary intervention is low-cost public health initiative with massive societal implications. Thus, nutritional management is the best preventive strategy against urolithiasis .
Regardless of the underlying etiology and drug treatment of the stone disease, patients should be instructed to increase their water intake in order to maintain a urine output of at least 2 liter per day . A simple and most important lifestyle change to prevent stone disease is to drink more water/liquids. Enough fluid intake reduces urinary saturation and dilutes promoters of CaOx crystallization. Dietary recommendations should be adjusted based on individual metabolic abnormalities. For absorptive hyperoxaluria, low oxalate diet and increased dietary calcium intake are recommended .
How Is Canine Arthritis Treated
If your veterinarian diagnoses that your dog is suffering from arthritis, what are the treatment options and how effective are they? The good news is that even though your dog may be suffering from arthritis, the multiple treatment options available for canine arthritis have been shown to be highly effective, enabling your dog to live to a normal life expectancy, pain-free.
There are multiple treatment options for canine arthritis, including arthritis medications, pain-relief therapy, and joint supplements. Arthritis medications include NSAIDs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cartilage protectors to promote joint repair. Your vet may also prescribe various pain relief medications.
Therapy options include joint massage and other therapeutic activities that help your dog move their stiff joints .
Joint supplements, sometimes called nutraceuticals, have also been found to be highly effective in relieving your dogs arthritic pain. The most common joint supplements for canine arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine is effective in pain reduction, joint inflammation reduction, and increased joint mobility. Glucosamine supplements are often paired with chondroitin, which promote joint repair.
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What Can You Recommend To Patients With Renal Impairment About Taking Glucosamine
This content was published in 2011. We do not recommend that you take any clinical decisions based on this information without first ensuring you have checked the latest guidance.
A: Glucosamine is used for the relief of pain and symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Most glucosamine preparations are unlicensed and are sold as dietary supplements therefore the quality and content varies between products.
Little information is available about the use of natural products for patients with renal impairment and there have been no studies looking at the use of glucosamine in such patients. Glucosamine is extensively metabolised in the liver but has some renal excretion.
Acute interstitial nephritis has been reported as a possible adverse effect of glucosamine. There have also been anecdotal reports of non-specific renal impairment and toxicity associated with glucosamine however, causality has not been established and long-term studies have not shown changes in renal function.
Glucosamine should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment side effects and renal function should be monitored. It is advisable to avoid glucosamine for patients with severe renal impairment and those on dialysis until more data are available.
This FAQ is taken from a Medicines Q& A produced by UK Medicines Information. The full document, including references, is available from www.nelm.nhs.uk
Cheap Supplements Sourced From China
You may have been hearing about an increase in the number of reports of pet deaths and illnesses from pet products sourced from China. In fact, the FDA is currently investigating nearly 600 deaths and over 3,600 pet illnesses from pets ingesting products sourced from China. Why are people purchasing products from overseas and why are our pets getting sick? Because supplements and other pet products are not regulated by the FDA, companies are not legally obligated to report where the products are sourced. In fact, supplements can say Made in the USA on them, even if the ingredients are sourced from China.
What attracts people to buy supplements such as these? The number one reason is because they are cheaper. Pet owners are attracted to the good price tag, even though what they are giving to their pets to ingest can be much costlier in the long run. The levels of glucosamine and chondroitin in these products are lacking. And much more troublesome is the addition of toxic chemicals and bacteria as fillers .
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A Brief Introduction To Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a substance produced by mammals which can be found in cartilage and plays a key role in keeping it healthy. It does so by helping to develop and maintain this all-important shock absorber which is essential for reducing the friction between bones.
In addition to being a key factor in the development of cartilage, Glucosaminealso helps in maintaining the health of tendons and ligaments too. Hence itplays a key role in the mobility of mammals.
The substance itself exists in three forms: Glucosamine Hydrochloride,Glucosamine Sulfate and N-acetylglucosamine. The first of the trio, GlucosamineHydrochloride is known for its efficiency in assisting in cartilage production.In addition to being the variety produced by cats , italso contains more Glucosamine than Glucosamine Sulfate and is the purestversion of this cartilage building block.
When cats are youngsters, their bodies do a pretty good job ofkeeping production levels up at required amounts. And thats the reason why ourfeline friends are able to leap about with boundless energy during kittenhood andtheir teenage years.
The problem arises when they get older or even suffer from joint damage when theyre younger. In these instances, they need a bit of extra assistance in producing the Glucosamine required to keep their affected joints healthy.
How Effective Is This Product
At first glance, Nodens Hip & Joint Glucosamine for Cats does seem to tick the right boxes in terms of highly beneficial active ingredients. Theres also its rather bold claim of being capable of producing results in just one week .
Customer reviews were highly positive with a number of pet ownersstating that their cats were able to regain most of their agility following aweek of administration thus proving the one week claim right. Alsoparticularly noteworthy was the fact that the product came in for high praisefrom customers who had pets that were fussy eaters and had previously refusedother treatments as a result.
They praised its beefy flavour which their furry charges thoroughly enjoyed and which made administering a lot easier. A number of pet owners actually admitted to wishing that they had started with the treatment earlier and advised against delaying doing so.
Overall, I came away pretty impressed with this product which seemeda tabby owners dream come true.
I was also reminded of another supplement, Cosequinfor Cats which had also garnered rave reviews for its efficiency, and whichincidentally, happens to contain Glucosamine Hydrochloride .
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Struvite Or Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Stones
Struvite stones occur to the extent of 1015% and have also been referred to as infection stones and triple phosphate stones. It occurs among patients with chronic urinary tract infections that produce urease, the most common being Proteus mirabilis and less common pathogens include Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter . Urease is necessary to split/cleave urea to ammonia and CO2, making urine more alkaline which elevates pH . Phosphate is less soluble at alkaline versus acidic pH, so phosphate precipitates on to the insoluble ammonium products, yielding to a large staghorn stone formation . Women’s are likely to develop this type of stone than the male. Escherichia coli is not capable of splitting urea and is not associated with struvite stones .
How Is Glucosamine/chondroitin Given
Glucosamine/chondroitin is given by mouth in the form of a capsule, chewable tablet, liquid, or a powder. It may be given with or without food however, if your pet vomits when doses are given on an empty stomach, give future doses with food. Measure liquid forms carefully. Give this medication for at least 2-6 weeks to evaluate how well it may work in your pet.
This medication can take up to a few weeks before full effects are noted, but gradual improvements are usually noticeable after a few days.
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Uric Acid Stones Or Urate
This accounts approximately for 310% of all stone types . Diets high in purines especially those containing animal protein diet such as meat and fish, results in hyperuricosuria, low urine volume, and low urinary pH exacerbates uric acid stone formation . Peoples with gouty arthritis may form stones in the kidney. The most prevalent cause of uric acid nephrolithiasis is idiopathic , and uric acid stones are more common in men than in women.
Theoretic Potential To Induce Renal Dysfunction
Some CAM therapies that are not associated with renal dysfunction warrant discussion. The agents listed in have the potential to be nephrotoxic because of their mechanisms or adverse event profile. The lack of evidence does not mean that these CAM are safe, and renal function should be monitored in all patients who consume these agents.
Dietary supplements with theoretic nephrotoxic potential
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What Is Glucosamine/chondroitin
Glucosamine/chondroitin combination is a nutritional supplement used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs, cats, and horses, as well as feline lower urinary tract disease in cats.
Glucosamine acts as a mild anti-inflammatory and is used by the joints to make cartilage components and by the urinary tract for protection.
Chondroitin inhibits destruction and promotes production of cartilage components. Sometimes these are used in combination with other joint supplement nutrients.
Dietary supplements are substances that can be used to supplement the diet, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, botanicals, enzymes, and probiotics. While many supplements are sold over the counter, they still contain ingredients that have biological effects that should be managed by your veterinarian. Follow your veterinarians directions and cautions very carefully as their directions may be significantly different from those on the label.
There are differences in how countries regulate supplements. In the United States, these substances are not as vigorously regulated by the FDA as other medications, which means they can be sold without the manufacturer proving their effectiveness, safety, and without a guarantee of consistent or accurately reported ingredients. In Canada, products that have been evaluated for quality, safety, and effectiveness by Health Canada and authorized for sale will have a license number on the label.
Side Effects And Liver Damage
Even though the effects of glucosamine chondroitin therapy is controversial, these products are relatively safe. Common side effects to both supplements are upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation. Both products come from animal sources so specific caution should apply. Glucosamine is often derived from shellfish so if you have allergies to shellfish you should avoid these products or buy glucosamine that has been manufactured in a laboratory. Chondroitin, manufactured from cow cartilage has a very low risk of transmitting animal borne diseases, but caution should be exercised. The specific review by the COT on glucosamine and chondroitin causing liver damage has indicated that it is unlikely a cause and effect and more likely the result of either other drugs or supplements taken by those few patients or an idiosyncratic development that cannot be explained.
- Even though the effects of glucosamine chondroitin therapy is controversial, these products are relatively safe.
- Glucosamine is often derived from shellfish so if you have allergies to shellfish you should avoid these products or buy glucosamine that has been manufactured in a laboratory.
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