Kidney stones are hardened masses of minerals that can build up in your kidneys, causing pain and blood in your urine. Not all kidney stones have the same components. However, the most common are those made of calcium and oxalate or calcium and phosphate. If you experience either type of kidney stone, your physician may recommend increasing the amount of potassium in your diet, which can help to prevent the future development of these painful stones.
Significance
Potassium is a common component of many foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Your body uses it to keep your heart beating and your muscles moving. This mineral also filters through your kidneys, and its presence helps to maintain the proper pH balance there. When the pH becomes too acidic, this can foster an environment where kidney stones are more likely to form, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. A low intake of potassium in your daily diet can contribute to an acidic environment in your kidneys because high-potassium foods have alkaline -- the opposite of acidic -- properties.
Calcium Stones
In addition to low potassium in your diet, eating foods high in calcium, protein and salts can increase the acidic environment in your kidneys. Calcium is a common component of kidney stones. This is because increased intake of acid-containing foods causes more calcium to build up in the kidneys instead of excreting in your urine. The longer the calcium remains in your kidneys, the more likely it is to form kidney stones.
Dietary Potassium
In a study that followed more than 45,000 males for a period of four years, men who consumed more than 4,042 mg of potassium per day were 50 percent less likely to experience kidney stones than men who consumed 2,895 mg of potassium per day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Women who consumed higher levels of potassium were also associated with a decreased risk for kidney stones. If you do not currently incorporate high-potassium choices like apricot, bananas, black beans, cooked broccoli, raw carrots, legumes, pumpkin, prunes, raisins or cooked spinach in your daily diet, increasing your intake of these foods can help to increase your potassium levels and reduce the risk of experiencing kidney stones.
Diuretics
Diuretics are medications designed to stimulate diuresis, or urination, in the body. One particular brand of diuretics, called thiazide diuretics, is associated with releasing potassium along with urine. Because low potassium levels are associated with low citrate levels and an increased risk of developing kidney stones, your physician may recommend taking potassium citrate along with your diuretic. If your potassium levels continue to be low or you experience further kidney stones, your physician may recommend switching to a potassium-sparing diuretic.
