Certain hereditary conditions may form cystine stones due to high levels of amino acids excreted by the kidneys. These are by far the rarest type of kidney stones and often require specialized treatments since cystine does not dissolve or break easily, and is more resistant to standard stone treatments.

One of the nutrients that our bodies need, but has a harder time absorbing, is calcium. As unused calcium passes through the urinary tract it can combine with a couple of different elements to form into kidney stones. In most calcium related cases, the stone is grown from  a form of calcium called calcium oxalate—a combination of calcium and oxalate. Oxalate comes from certain fruits and vegetables like spinach, nuts and beans, but it is also manufactured in the liver. Factors that contribute to the development of calcium oxalate stones include low fluid intake, high oxalate intake, and certain medical conditions that naturally increase the risk of stones forming.

While less common, calcium can also combine with phosphate to form calcium phosphate crystal which can also grow and become a kidney stone. This is more likely if the patient suffers from a metabolic condition such as hyperparathyroidism of renal tubular acidosis.

If you are fond of red meat or poultry, and don’t drink a sufficient amount of water then you may have a uric acid stone in your future. Uric acid is a natural by-product that is created as the body breaks down purines, which are a chemical compound found in certain foods, like red meat. Alcoholic beverages also contain purines and have the added disadvantage that they make getting rid of the uric acid more difficult.
While having some uric acid in the body is natural, having copious amounts of it from dietary choices can prove harmful, particularly if you have gout or low levels of water in your body. The resulting effects on the body can include gout, a painful swelling of appendages and joints, and uric acid kidney stones.

Struvite stones are caused by infection in the kidneys or urinary tract. While rarer than calcium stones, they are considered more dangerous due to their tendency to grow faster and larger than other stones, which can cause additional pain and damage in the urinary tract. The increased growth of the stone is made possible by bacteria that produce the urease enzyme that breaks down urea in the urine. Urea is a naturally occuring and anti-bacterial waste product produced by the kidneys; however, when broken down by the urease enzyme it separates into ammonia and carbon dioxide which creates an alkaline environment. As the PH level of the urine lowers, an environment is created that promotes the formation of kidney stones.