Kidney stones are small, hard deposits in the kidney formed by the crystallization of mineral and acids salts. Approximately 80% of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. As a result, the majority of research on kidneys stones is related to the prevention of calcium oxalate stones. Other stones consist primarily of calcium phosphate, a mix of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite stones), and uric acid.

Although it has earned itself a bad reputation, cholesterol plays some essential roles in proper function of the human body. Cholesterol is a crucial component of cell membranes and is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D and steroid hormones (including those that help you cope with stress, as well as those for proper functioning of men and women).