Stone formation in the urinary tract has been recognized for thousands of years.  In the past, stone formation was almost elusively in the bladder.  Today, most stones form in the kidney or upper urinary tract.  The rate of kidney stones has been steadily increasing, paralleling the rise in other disease associated with our so-called western diet (e.g., atherosclerosis, gallstones, high blood pressure, and diabetes).  The incidence of kidney stones varies geographically, reflecting differences in environmental factors, diet, and drinking water....