Kidney stones are hard deposits made from mineral and acid salts. When kidney stones pass through the urinary system, they cause an enormous amount of pain. Once you develop a kidney stone, your odds of developing another one can be high, but making changes in your diet may lower your risk of recurrence of kidney stones. These stones can form from different minerals, and knowing which mineral created your stones can allow you to adjust your diet to prevent another episode.
Controlling Amount of Calcium in Diet
The mineral calcium can be found in calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, reports the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The calcium that comes from dairy products such as milk and yogurt is very easily absorbed by the body but the calcium that is contained in dark green leafy vegetables may be difficult to absorb, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. The calcium in some calcium-containing antacids may not be easily absorbed as well. For most people, the body manages the calcium adequately, and consuming calcium does not cause more stones to form; however, some people might be placed on a calcium-restricted diet. Many health care professionals recommend taking between 800 to 1000 mg of calcium daily if you have had calcium oxalate stones in the past. Completely eliminating calcium from the diet could lead to other problems like osteoporosis.
Limiting Oxalate-Containing Foods
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Oxalate is a substance that is found in plant foods including spinach, beets, okra and sweet potatoes, according to the Mayo Clinic.com. It can also be found in chocolate, strawberries, wheat bran, tea and soy products. Research has shown that limiting intake of these foods may reduce the rate of recurrence for calcium oxalate kidney stones.
Since these stones are formed with both calcium and oxalate, you will also need to follow the suggestions of your health care provider regarding your calcium intake.
Levels of Animal Protein
Another type of stones is caused by uric acid that comes from purines. Meats and other animal proteins such as eggs and fish are high in purines, which break down into uric acid in the urine, reports Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. High levels of animal proteins can increase the level of calcium in the urine, which also may increase the risk of calcium stones. If you tend to form uric acid kidney stones, you should limit your daily intake of meat to 6 oz. per day, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Other foods to avoid include organ meats, game birds such as goose and pheasant, and beer and alcohol, as noted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Increased Intake of Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber can also help decrease your risk of developing kidney stones. Insoluble fiber comes from plants and cannot dissolve in water. This type of fiber combines with calcium in the intestines, which causes the excess calcium to go out through the stool instead of the urine, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Increased fiber intake speeds up transit through the intestine which also decreases the amount of time that the calcium can be reabsorbed into the body. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat, barley and rice.
Monitor Sodium Intakes
Excess sodium in the diet can cause increased calcium to be eliminated through the urine; this increased concentration can lead to formation of both calcium phosphate and oxalate stones, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. For people with a history of kidney stones, the recommended daily intake of sodium is 2,400 mg. Foods that have high sodium levels include canned soups, luncheon meats, fast food and some frozen foods.
Increase Fluid Intake
The most important step that you can take to prevent kidney stones is to increase your fluid intake, since the extra liquid dilutes the urine, according to the Mayo Clinic.com. Physicians recommend that people with a history of kidney stones should produce 2 quarts of urine each day, as noted by Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. To achieve this, you should drink eight to 10 oz. of fluid every hour while awake. While research has not been definitive as to which fluids are the most helpful, dark cola drinks and grapefruit juice have been shown to increase the formation of kidney stones, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Water, however, is an excellent choice.
