How to Avoid Kidney Stones Through Diet

As anyone who has ever had a kidney stone can tell you, passing a stone can be an excruciating experience. Curled up in a fetal position in bed, you feel agonizing pain in your lower back or abdomen, and may even feel nauseous or the need to vomit. Once you have had one kidney stone, you are likely to have more. Some people are more likely to develop this painful condition due to a genetic susceptibility, but diet is also a major contributing factor, especially one which is low in fiber, potassium, citrate and magnesium, and high in protein and salt. Luckily, you can reduce your chances of having kidney stones by following certain dietary guidelines.
What can you do to prevent painful kidney stones? It's a good idea to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist. They may tell you to limit some things in your diet while increasing others. There are several types of kidney stones, 70 percent of which are calcium oxalate stones and most of which are made of calcium salts. Most of the suggestions here refer to calcium oxalate stones.

Instructions

What to Limit in your Diet

1

When you hear that most kidney stones consist of calcium salts, you may be tempted to drastically reduce your calcium intake. However, that would put you at risk for osteoporosis. Of key importance is moderation and the source of the calcium. Be sure to consume normal amounts of calcium from food sources, but steer away from calcium supplements. One study shows that women who took calcium supplements experienced an increase in kidney stones by 20 percent. However, women who consumed normal amounts of calcium-rich food instead of supplements experienced a reduction in kidney stones of 34 percent. So don't deprive your bones of important calcium-rich foods, and avoid calcium supplements if you are susceptible to kidney stones.

2

Avoid eating foods that have high levels of oxalic acid in them, which contributes to oxalate kidney stones. This includes: coffee, beer, pecans, spinach, beets, soft drinks, cocoa, sweet potatoes and tea.

3

Avoid taking large doses of vitamin C in supplement form, which can increase oxalic acid in urine, promoting kidney stones.

4

Eat less salt. Salt has clearly been shown to be correlated with increased frequency of kidney stones. Read labels of prepared foods, which are often high in salt. Even better, cook more at home so you can control your salt intake!

5

Eat less meat, as animal protein raises the level of calcium secreted in your urine, thereby increasing your chances of developing kidney stones. One study showed that in a sample of high-risk individuals, a vegetarian diet low in animal protein significantly decreased frequency of kidney stones. Additionally, another study showed that simply reducing calcium intake is not nearly as effective (51 percent less so) in reducing kidney stones as limiting meat and salt.

What you should eat and drink

6

Eat more plant foods, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, especially those rich in magnesium, potassium and citrate. Foods rich in magnesium include kiwi, bananas, strawberries, avocado, peas, corn, summer squash, cashews and almonds. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, Lima beans, potatoes, kale, carrots, mushrooms, onions, cauliflower and asparagus. Foods rich in citric acid include limes, lemons and other citrus fruits. Your doctor may also suggest potassium-citrate or potassium-magnesium citrate supplements, which have been found to reduce kidney stones.

7

Hydrate! When you are hydrated, tiny kidney stones may pass through you without your awareness or may not be as easily formed. However, when dehydrated, the spiky stones are not as easily flushed from your body and are more likely to snag on the inside of your urethra, resulting in intense pain. So drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day!

8

Better yet, add lemon to that water to make it easier going down, or drink lemonade made with a sugar substitute. Lemons are high in citrate, which reduces kidney stones. One study showed that 12 subjects on a "lemonade therapy" for four years had a marked reduction in the frequency of kidney stones. A sweet solution that doesn't require a prescription!

After consulting with your doctor, consider these simple dietary steps to improve your chances of having fewer painful kidney stones!