Prevent kidney stones

Video: Preventing Kidney Stones - Urology Care Foundation

Content

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Method 1 of 2: Identifying risk factors for kidney stones
Method 2 of 2: Prevent kidney stones through proper nutrition
Tips
Warnings

Kidney stones, also known as renal lithiasis and calculi, are solid deposits originating from the kidneys. Initially, these deposits are microscopic. However, they can grow into larger stones. Preventing kidney stones is important because these small stones can cause excruciating pain as they descend from your kidneys to the bladder. In some cases, kidney stones get stuck in the ureter and block the ureter. Fortunately, the right diet can prevent the development of kidney stones, especially if you are in a higher risk group.

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Method 1 of 2: Identifying risk factors for kidney stones

Ask close relatives if they have had kidney stones. You're at a higher risk of developing stones if family members have had kidney stones.
- Studies show that kidney stones appear to be more common in people of Asian and Caucasian background than Native Americans, Africans, and African Americans.
Watch your weight. Research shows that people with a high BMI and a larger waist are at higher risk of developing kidney stones.
- Body weight, not diet or fluid intake, seems to be the greatest risk factor for kidney stones. Eat healthy and get plenty of exercise to help you lose weight and reduce your risk.
Consider your age and gender. Men between the ages of 30 and 50 and postmenopausal women are most likely to get kidney stones.
Consider if you have other medical conditions. Certain surgical procedures and medical conditions increase the risk of kidney stones. These include:
- Gastric bypass or other intestinal surgery
- Urinary tract infections
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Crohn's Disease
- Chronic diarrhea
- Renal tubular acidosis
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Insulin resistance
Know the different types of kidney stones. There are four different types of kidney stones. The first step in preventing kidney stones is knowing what causes them. The various kidney stones are caused by different factors related to lifestyle and diet.
- Calcium stones. Calcium stones come in two forms: calcium oxalate stones and calcium phosphate stones. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common kidney stones. Calcium stones are often caused by too high a sodium intake.
- Uric acid stones. Uric acid stones are formed when the urine is very acidic, and often because the patient is eating a diet rich in animal proteins (meat, fish, seafood).
- Struvite stones. These are usually caused by kidney infections. Staying infection-free can usually be enough not to develop struvite stones.
- Cystine stones. These are formed when cystine leaks into the kidneys, resulting in stone formation. Cystine stones are caused by a genetic disorder.

Method 2 of 2: Prevent kidney stones through proper nutrition

Drink lots of water. You may have heard of the "eight drinks a day" rule, but research suggests you actually need more than that. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups (three liters) of fluids per day. Women should drink about nine cups (2.2 liters) of fluid per day.
- If you are sick or exercise a lot, you will have to drink even more.
- Water is the best choice. Drinking half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice daily increases the level of citrate in your urine, which can reduce the risk of developing calcium stones in the kidneys. Experts no longer recommend drinking orange juice as it increases oxalate levels.
- Be careful with grapefruit juice, apple juice, and cranberry juice. Several studies link grapefruit juice to an increased risk of kidney stones, although not all studies agree. Apple juice and cranberry juice both contain oxalates, which have been linked to the development of kidney stones. Cranberry juice can increase the risk of calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. However, it can help prevent the less common types of kidney stones, such as struvite and Brushite stones, and is good for general kidney function. Talk to your doctor about whether consuming these juices is a good idea for you.
Limit how much sodium you take in. Consuming too much salt can cause kidney stones by increasing the level of calcium in your urine. Read nutrition labels carefully and avoid processed foods that are usually high in sodium. Use the following guidelines for sodium:
- As a healthy young adult, do not consume more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, most Americans eat much more than that recommended amount, which is 3,400 mg.
- Limit your sodium to 1,500 mg per day if you are at least middle-aged or have certain conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Look for indications such as "low sodium" or "no salt added" on canned food labels. Canned vegetables and soups often contain a lot of salt. Cold cuts, hot dogs, and frozen meals are often extremely high in sodium, so check labels before purchasing.
Minimize your consumption of animal proteins. A diet rich in animal proteins, especially red meat, increases the risk of developing kidney stones, especially uric acid stones. By limiting your consumption of animal protein to 180 grams or less per day, you can reduce the risk of all types of kidney stones forming.
- Red meat, organ meats, and shellfish are high in a substance called purine, which prompts your body to produce more uric acid and can lead to kidney stones. Eggs and fish also contain purines, although less.
- Replace some of the animal proteins with other high-protein sources, such as nuts and legumes.
Eat more citric acid. Citric acid from fruits acts as a protective factor by coating existing kidney stones, making it more difficult for them to grow in size. Your doctor can prescribe medications such as calcium citrate or potassium citrate. These do not come from food and work differently.
- Lemons and limes are the best source of citric acid. Drinking lemonade or lime juice (especially those that are low in sugar) and drizzling the juice from these fruits over your meals are excellent ways to get more citric acid in your diet.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables to get more citric acid.
- Some soft drinks, such as 7UP and Sprite, are high in citric acid. While it's best to avoid soda because of its high sugar content, a glass every now and then can be a good way to get more citric acid.
Follow a diet low in "oxalate". If you have a history of calcium oxalate stones (the most common type of kidney stone), avoid foods rich in oxalate to prevent future kidney stones. If you do eat foods that contain oxalates, do this at the same time as foods that contain calcium. Calcium and oxalate form a bond, so they are less likely to cause problems in your kidneys.
- Limit oxalate to 40-50mg per day.
- Foods high in oxalate (10mg + per serving) are nuts, most berries, wheat, figs, grapes, tangerines, beans, beets, carrots, celery, eggplant, kale, leeks, olives, okra, peppers, potatoes, spinach, sweet potato and zucchini.
- Drinks that are high in oxalate (more than 10 mg per serving) are dark beer, black tea, anything with chocolate, soy drinks and instant coffee.
- Don't use too much vitamin C. Your body can convert high doses - such as those from supplements - into oxalate.
Use calcium supplements with caution. The calcium from your food does not affect your risk of developing kidney stones. In fact, diets with too little calcium can actually lead to kidney stones developing in some people. However, calcium supplements can increase the risk of developing kidney stones, so don't take them unless your doctor recommends them.
- Children between four and eight years old need 1000 mg of calcium per day. Children nine to 18 years old need 1,300 mg of calcium per day. Adults 19 years and older need at least 1000 mg of calcium per day. Women over 50 and men over 70 should increase their intake to 1200 mg of calcium per day.
Eat a high-fiber diet. Studies suggest that high-fiber diets can help prevent kidney stones. Many high-fiber foods contain phytate, a substance that helps form calcium crystals.
- Beans and rice bran are good sources of phytate. While wheat and soybeans also contain phytate, they are also high in oxalate, so it is recommended that you avoid these unless recommended by your doctor.
Watch your alcohol consumption. Alcohol increases uric acid levels in the blood, which can contribute to kidney stone formation. If you drink alcohol, choose light-colored beers or wine. These drinks seem to increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Dark beers contain oxalates that can promote kidney stones.

Tips

Ask for a referral to a nutritionist or licensed dietitian. These professionals can work with your doctor to create a nutritional plan that meets your specific needs.
Don't get on a "starvation diet." Not only are these bad for your health, but they also increase your uric acid level and thus your risk of kidney stones.