London(May 19, 2017): New research suggests that painful kidney stones could be dissolved by a natural citrus fruit extraction. The study showed that the compound – hydroxycitrate (HCA) – is able to inhibit the growth of kidney stones – and even dissolve the crystals.
The discovery marks the first advance in kidney stones treatment in more than three decades. Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that build up inside the kidneys, affecting around 12 per cent of men and seven per cent of women.
They are composed predominantly of calcium oxalate crystals and are more prevalent in those with high blood-pressure, diabetes or obesity – and are on the rise. But the researchers found HCA was effective in slowing the build-up of calcium oxalate under certain conditions.
HCA is naturally found in the Garcinia Cambogia fruit, used widely in south east Asia.
