Not all kidney stones are created equal. Four different types can afflict you, each of which requires slightly different treatments and dietary changes, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The most common type contains calcium and the most common chemical combination is calcium oxalate. Struvite stones may form after a urinary tract infection, while uric acid stones may form when you have high amounts of uric acid in your system. Cystine stones are rare and the condition often runs in families.
Fluids
Drinking 12 full glasses of water each day can help to flush away the substances that form any type of kidney stone, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Although you may enjoy a few glasses of ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or fruit juices, water is best to accomplish your task. You should also limit your intake of fluids that contain caffeine, such as coffee or dark soda, because they can cause you to lose more fluid than you drink. This dehydrating effect of caffeine can trigger the formation of a kidney stone.
Do Not Limit Calcium
In a research study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in 2004, researchers discovered that ingestion of calcium rich foods did not increase the risk of creating calcium oxalate kidney stones. The reverse was actually found. Those who had a higher intake of dietary calcium were at a decreased risk of stone formation. The prospective study lasted 8 years and evaluated 96,245 women in the Nurse's Health Study II.
Food Limitations
Calcium combines with oxalate in the intestines to form the stones, and you should therefore limit your intake of foods that are high in oxalate, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Although there are many foods that contain large amounts eight foods have been identified that increase the risk of stone formation. These are rhubarb, spinach, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, tea, beets, and strawberries. Doctors at Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology also advise that sodium, animal proteins and vitamin C are implicated in the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Sodium reduces the amount of calcium that is excreted in the urine, increasing the amount available to bind with oxalate. Animal proteins affect the excretion of minerals in the urine and when vitamin C is used by the body oxalate is the end result. These substances should also be limited in your diet to control the formation of kidney stones. You can work with a dietitian to more easily develop a dietary plan that meets your specific needs. Meat is high in purines, the breakdown of which increases the amount of uric acid in the body, increasing your risk of developing uric acid kidney stones, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
DASH
DASH, the acronym for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a diet recommended by doctors to help prevent the development or progression of hypertension. The DASH diet is endorsed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to DASHDiet.com. The diet is low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables. In a study published in the "Journal of American Society of Nephrology," researchers found that this same diet is also associated with a marked decrease in the risk of formation of kidney stones. Prior to changing your diet you should consult with your physician to ensure you are receiving appropriate nutrition for your specific health needs.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Kidney Stones
- Archives of Internal Medicine; "Dietary Factors and the risk of Incident Kidney Stones in Younger Women"; GC Curhan, WC Willett, EL Knight and MJ Stampfer; April 2004
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Kidney Stone Diet
- DASHDiet.org: The DASH Diet Eating Plan
- Journal of American Society of Nephrology; "DASH-Style Diet Associates with Reduced Risk for Kidney Stones"; Eric Taylor, Teresa Fung and Gary Curhan; May 2009
