There are five different types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate stones, calcium phosphate stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones and cystine stones. Your diet may cause some types of stones but not all of them. Once your doctor determines which type of stone you have, she may be able to recommend dietary changes to help you avoid getting more.
Features
Increasing the amount of insoluble fiber and fluid in your diet, and decreasing the amount of calcium, oxalate, protein, sugar and salt can limit your risk for certain types of kidney stones. Not everyone who gets kidney stones needs to make all of these changes, however. Which changes will be helpful depends on the type of kidney stones.
Function
Decreasing sodium in the diet lowers the amount of calcium in the blood, and so does consuming less calcium. This is helpful in preventing stones that contain calcium. Reducing your consumption of foods that contain oxalate, such as beets, chocolate, nuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea and wheat bran, can help prevent stones containing oxalate. Eating less protein decreases the formation of uric acid which, along with purines, increases your risk for uric acid stones. Insoluble fiber helps to lower the amount of calcium in the blood, and drinking lots of fluid can help prevent most types of kidney stones since it makes the urine less concentrated.
Considerations
You don't want to reduce your calcium intake too much, or you may be at higher risk for osteoporosis. Grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and dark colas all increase the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones. Certain vitamin supplements, including vitamin C and vitamin D, can increase your chances of developing kidney stones, so speak to your doctor about any supplements you may take.
Potential
Diet is one of the risk factors for kidney stones -- except for struvite stones, which are associated with kidney infections -- but it is not the only risk factor. Age, obesity, being male, having a family or personal history of kidney stones, being dehydrated and having had gastric bypass surgery can all affect your risk for kidney stones. Changing your diet therefore may not eliminate all kidney stones.
Warning
Although small stones can be treated with pain relievers and an increased fluid intake, larger stones may require shock wave treatment to break them up or surgical removal. Medications may be necessary to help prevent recurrence.
