Kidney stones are one of the most painful urinary tract ailments. Each year, about 3.5 million people seek care for their kidney stones, according to the National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It is possible that your diet may play a role in kidney stone formation. If you have a particular type of kidney stone, avoiding high amounts of salt in your diet may help you reduce your risk of a recurrence.
Basics
The urine produced by your kidneys helps to move different types of salts out of your body, including calcium oxalate and uric acid. When you have too much of these substances present in your urine, however, they can crystallize, forming small clumps of solids. These crystals, or solids, are kidney stones. The most common type of kidney stone, affecting more than half of all kidney stone patients, includes calcium as the main ingredient.
Formation
Too much sodium in your diet may indirectly prompt formation of these calcium-based stones. You consume sodium in processed foods that contain salt and when you season your meals with salt. When your urine contains an excess amount of sodium, it tends to cause too much calcium in your urine as well. When you have excess calcium in your urine, that can lead to calcium-based kidney stones.
Prevention
When you reduce the amount of salt you consume, you may be able to reduce the amount of calcium you excrete in your urine, thereby preventing kidney stones. It's not clear exactly how much salt you need to cut out, but reducing your sodium intake to between 2,300 and 3,500 mg a day may be effective, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Talk with your doctor to get specific recommendations for your individual circumstances. The American Heart Association issued new guidelines in 2011 strongly recommending a daily sodium intake of no more than 1,500 mg for all Americans, regardless of health status.
Recommendations
To cut back on the salt in your diet to reduce your risk of kidney stones, stop seasoning your foods with salt. Replace your salt shaker with a mix of herbs and spices for the best results. You'll also need to read labels as you shop, since many packaged foods contain high levels of salt. Snack foods such as crackers and chips represent some of the most significant sources of sodium in the diet, but canned soups and canned vegetables also contain high levels. Keep track of how much salt you eat each day, and make sure you stay under the limit your doctor suggests for you.
References
- National Kidney and Urological Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Stones in Adults
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Kidney Stones; June 13, 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Kidney Stones - Causes; June 13, 2010
- University of Alabama at Birmingham: Kidney Stone Diet
- NetWellness.com; Kidney Stones; Martin Resnick, M.D.; Sept. 4, 2009
