Kidney Stone Diet

The role of diet in the occurrence of kidney stones has not yet been fully elucidated.
Certainly, no type of calculation can be only attributed to poor nutrition. Most often at the root of the problem there is a genetic predisposition.
For this reason there are not a precise and universal diet to prevent kidney stones.

However, a single recommendation is unanimous from doctors and researchers: to avoid the formation of kidney stones is important to keep the body hydrated by taking the right amount of fluids in the diet.

In addition to reduced fluid intake, certain eating habits may promote the occurrence of kidney stones in susceptible individuals.

Kidney stone diet and Meat: some studies have shown that a diet rich in meat most often leads to kidney stones.
Due to the excessive consumption of proteins the urine becomes more acidic and there is an increase in the amount of oxalate, calcium and uric acid, and a reduction of citrate (substances that prevent the precipitation of these salts).

If there is a predisposition to kidney stones resulting from calcium, mixed (oxalic-calcium) and especially uric (accumulation of uric acid), foods high in purines should be limited, such as anchovies, herring, sardines, shellfish, liver, sweetbreads, kidneys, heart, geese and pigeons. Uric acid is the chemical formed when purines have been broken down completely. It's normal for uric acid to be formed in the body from breakdown of purines.
Instead, you must increase the intake of alkalizing substances as potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate.

Kidney stone diet and Salt: a diet high in salt increases the urinary excretion of calcium by favoring the formation of kidney stones. For this reason and to avoid other unpleasant conditions (hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis) you should not take more than 8 grams of salt a day.

Kidney Stone Diet and Calcium: the role of calcium in the formation of kidney stones has always been the subject of numerous studies and research.
It was concluded that a diet rich in calcium not predisposes to urinary tract stones but instead reduces the absorption of oxalic acid.
It is therefore recommended a daily intake of 1200 mg of calcium (800 mg. provided by dairy products).

An excess of oxalate is instead particularly harmful because it predisposes to stone formation (especially if accompanied with a reduced consumption of liquid).
Some foods are particularly rich in oxalates: chocolate, nuts, cola and carbonated beverages in general, fruit juices, tea, cabbage, peas, asparagus, spinach.

Sweet and Kidney stones: an enormous consumption of sugars in the diet, increases the elimination of calcium in the urine and, consequently, the risk of forming stones. Moreover, some typical ingredients of the cake (cocoa) are especially rich in oxalate.

Kidney Stone Diet and Fibers: in the presence of urinary stones a diet rich in fiber is recommended since the phytic acid content in foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits and whole grains) binds with calcium to form insoluble and non-absorbable compounds.

Fruits and vegetables also increase the elimination of citrates, substances very effective in preventing stone formation. For this reason, the lemon juice, which contains about 5-7% citric acid, is the ideal food for those suffering from kidney stones.

Vitamin D and Kidney stones: an excess of vitamin D in your kindey stone diet, promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium, causing hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine). This observation could occur in a patient who regularly take calcium supplements and vitamin D to fight or prevent osteoporosis.

Vitamin C and Kidney Stones: an excess of vitamin C in the diet promotes the synthesis of kidney stones due to increased production of oxalate. However this is an hypothesis difficult to achieve given the enormous amount of vitamin C needed (10 g). These levels are virtually unattainable with the normal diet (even if supplemented by multivitamins).

Water and Kidney stones: people predisposed to kidney stones should strive to drink heavily and repeatedly during the day (at least 2 liters of water). In general it is important to adjust the hydration state of the body.
The visual inspection of the urine is a very simple test that the patient can do to control their state of hydration. In particular, the urine should never appear too dark or concentrated, as this feature would increase the risk of forming kidney stones.

Some beverages should be avoided such as concentrate tea (rich in oxalates), coca-cola (very acidic) and alcohol (raises the levels of excretion of oxalic acid and uric acid).
Despite some studies have shown that calcium-rich mineral waters may be a protective factor in the presence of calculus, the water poor in minerals promote diuresis and facilitate the expulsion of small kidney stones.

Kidney Stone Diet Food suggestions: