A Particular Bacteria in Your Urine Can Help Protect Against Kidney Stones

 

Learn about the urinary tract microbiome in kidney health and the dietary recommendations for preventing kidney stones.

The urinary tract microbiome, also known as the urobiome, is home to various microorganisms. Researchers from Mahidol University in Thailand found that certain bacteria within the urobiome play crucial roles in promoting or preventing kidney stone formation.

The discovery sheds new light on this painful condition that affects approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population.

The study, published in the journal Microbiome, showed that Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) helped prevent the formation of calcium crystals that cause kidney stones. In contrast, Escherichia coli (E. coli) promoted kidney stone formation.

“The urinary tract of healthy individuals is known to harbor several bacterial genera,” the authors said, citing Lactobacillus, “Alterations in such bacterial community or urinary microbiome have been reported in many kidney diseases, including KSD [kidney stone disease].”

 Contrasting Actions of Two Key Bacteria

Researchers investigated how L. acidophilus, commonly found in the urine of healthy individuals, might prevent kidney stone formation. They compared its effects with E. coli, known to promote stone development.

The study examined their interactions with calcium oxalate crystals—a common component of kidney stones.

Oxalate, which is obtained through the diet, typically binds with calcium and leaves through the gut. However, excess oxalate can be absorbed into the bloodstream, where it binds with calcium in the urine, forming calcium oxalate kidney stones.