Dietary Changes to Prevent Kidney Stone Formation

People who have had kidney stones will do anything to avoid them again. Passing a stone can be very painful. Some liken it to the pain of childbirth. 

More people are developing kidney stones now than ever before. In the late 1970s, about four people in the United States had kidney stones, according to the National Kidney Foundation. According to the latest survey, that number has increased to 10% of Americans. Texas is part of the “stone belt” where kidney stone rates are even higher. People who live in the South are more likely to develop stones, perhaps because the warmer climate makes them more susceptible to dehydration. 

Kidney stones are formed by crystals that obstruct the flow of urine. It most commonly leaves the kidneys through the ureters, which are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Highly concentrated urine (too many crystals in too little fluid) is more likely to form stones, and the urine may appear dark yellow rather than straw-colored or clear. 

Kidney stones often start out about the size of a grain of sand, but can grow until they fill the inside of the kidney. The bigger it gets, the harder it is to get through. Stones are formed from a variety of minerals, but the most common is calcium oxalate.

The bad news is that once he gets the stone, he is 50% times more likely to get the next one within 15 years. Recurrent stone formation can be caused by a variety of causes, from uncontrollable factors such as family history and underlying kidney disease to obesity, dehydration, and dietary choices. 

The good news is that many of the risk factors for kidney stone recurrence are within your control, and small changes in your diet can make a big difference. Here are his 7% food and drink tips to reduce your chances of kidney stones recurring. 

Drink water – and drink more: 

If you already have kidney stones, the best way to prevent them from increasing is to drink more water. Staying hydrated dilutes your urine and prevents crystals from clumping together and turning into stones. 

A 2015 meta-analysis by the National Kidney Foundation found that people who produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine each day are 50 times less likely to develop kidney stones than those who produce less.

People suffering from kidney stones should drink lots of water. At least 2 liters (8 cups) a day, ideally 3 liters (12 cups). When it’s hot outside or working in a hot environment, you should drink more water because the more you sweat, the less urine you produce. 

If plain water tastes too bland, add some citrus juice for extra protection. Lemons, limes, and grapefruit contain citrate, which binds to calcium and prevents stone formation. You can also replace some of the water with citrus drinks such as orange juice. 

Limit your sodium intake: 

High-sodium diets increase the amount of calcium in your urine. This can cause kidney stones in people who are already prone to kidney stones. Follow federal guidelines that recommend limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day. 

Reducing sodium and salt also benefits the kidneys by lowering blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure can narrow and weaken the blood vessels in your kidneys, reducing blood flow. Over time, your kidneys may stop functioning properly, which can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure.

Eat calcium-rich foods: 

Since most kidney stones are made of a type of calcium, it may seem counterintuitive to recommend calcium. However, some stones are made from calcium and oxalates, which are naturally found in a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes (such as black beans and peas), chocolate, and tea. 

Calcium from the food you eat combines with oxalate in your intestines, forcing the oxalate to be excreted in your stool instead of your urine, reducing your risk of developing calcium oxalate stones. 

However, taking calcium supplements does not provide this effect. For best results, aim for 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day from dairy products, soy products, beans, seeds, fortified tofu, and some green vegetables such as kale and broccoli . 

Reduce your meat intake: 

Eating too much animal protein can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. This doesn’t just mean red meat. Also includes chicken, pork, fish, and eggs. 

You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian. Limit your meat intake to 8 ounces a day. A serving cannot be larger than a pack of playing cards. Heart-healthy eating plans such as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and the Mediterranean diet can help limit meat intake and reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. 

Eat fruits and vegetables: 

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, and protects against some cancers.

It can also prevent kidney stone formation by increasing citrate in the urine. Citrate is an acid that occurs naturally in the body and prevents calcium particles from sticking together and forming stones. Masu. So if you need an extra incentive to make sure you get your five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, remember that it can help prevent the excruciating pain of another kidney stone. 

Be careful with vitamin C supplements. 

Vitamin C is beneficial for overall health. However, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that men who took more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C supplements per day had an increased risk of kidney stones. It’s not difficult to find supplements that contain such large amounts of vitamin C. This is more than 10 times his recommended daily amount (75 mg for women and 90 mg for men). 

These findings are specific to vitamin C supplements. The same was not seen when vitamin C came from foods, which are always the best sources. 

Watch out for oxalates: 

High oxalate levels in the urine can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. However, oxalates are found in many healthy foods such as spinach, beets, nuts, wheat germ, rhubarb, and soybeans. When consuming foods high in oxalates, eat a varied diet, drink plenty of water, and add a serving of dairy instead of eliminating foods high in oxalates. please. 

These are all general recommendations for kidney stone prevention and are not meant to replace specific dietary recommendations from your healthcare provider. A metabolic evaluation by a urologist can help determine the specific cause of kidney stones.

Author: MedBlog18 Blog Team

Views: 74