Kidney Stone Diet : Foods to Eat and Avoid

Kidney stones are a widespread occurrence in today’s day and age. As a general trend, the incidence is especially higher in women and men in the middle age group. Most of the time, kidney stones are tiny and pass through undetected. Sometimes, they are large enough to cause an obstruction in the urinary tract and give rise to symptoms like pain, nausea, fever and so on, warranting proper action.

The good news is that kidney stones can be prevented by diet and following proper precautions. Certain conditions of the body and certain foods can be avoided to aid recovery from and prevention of kidney stones.

How can the type of food we eat cause kidney stones?

Food comprises fibre, sugar, minerals, vitamins, and several antioxidant compounds that are put together in different proportions and combinations. All components are digested and absorbed, increased in value in the blood, and then excreted in the gastrointestinal tract or the urinary system. When the concentration of substances excreted via the kidney is high, kidney stones may form.

What are substances in food that can cause kidney stones?

Several substances in food may lead to an increase in the risk of kidney stone formation. Some are as follows:

1. Calcium is responsible for nearly 80% of stones and is common in conditions with high calcium content, such as high vitamin D, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, and calcium loss due to renal disease.

2. Oxalate stones usually occur in combination with calcium and are very commonly found stones. Almost 75% of kidney stones are oxalate stones and can be attributed to causes like high calcium levels or low calcium levels in the blood.

3. Elevated Uric acid levels in the blood due to increased alcohol consumption in the form of beer or high meat consumption can also lead to frequent stones in the urinary system.

4. Struvite or triple phosphate stones comprise phosphate salts of magnesium, ammonium and calcium. They often arise due to infections and can be very big.

5. Cystine stones are found in specific genetic disorders like cystinuria, where cystine is lost in the urine due to faulty absorption.

6. Sometimes, abuse of substances like laxatives can also lead to stones made of ammonium hydroxide.

High concentrations of these substances also form stones when other factors, such as dehydration, infection, and anatomical deformities in the urinary tract, also lead to stones.

Foods that are good for kidney stones 

Some foods are protective and also prevent the formation of kidney stones in people, such as:

1. Hyradting fruits like watermelon and melons and drinking 2-2.5 litres of water a day can be beneficial to keep the kidneys happy.

2. Increase intake of citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, amla,mosambi and kiwi as they interfere with the conditions that enable stone formation by maintaining low pH.

3. Contrary to popular belief, having calcium does not increase stone formation and is, in fact, necessary to prevent stone formation. It is best acquired from calcium-rich foods like cow’s milk, cheese, dark green vegetables, and legumes. Best take these foods with rich Vitamin D content.

Foods that are not good for kidney stones 

Some foods that are high in certain substances can increase the levels of stone-forming substances. Some of them are as follows:

1. High salt intake can cause increased excretion of calcium, which can lead to stone formation.

2. High animal protein intake in red meat, chicken, or eggs can lead to increased levels of citrate and uric acid; therefore, it should be eaten in adequate amounts. Substitute it with plant-based proteins like soya, sattu, and legumes.

3. Foods high in oxalate should be eaten cautiously, especially in a person with kidney stones, such as tea, beetroot, spinach, nuts and sweet potatoes.

4. Cold drinks are very high in phosphate, and sugars like fructose and sucrose can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

5. Avoid processed foods as they are high in sugars and salt, which promote kidney stone formation.

Final thoughts :

After learning about different classes and categories of food that can influence this process in kidney stones, we need to understand how to integrate this into our day-to-day lives. Sometimes, getting out of the entire food group is not possible. That’s why we should eat in moderation. Also, we can eat certain foods with lower values of stone-forming substances, which can go a long way. Mindful eating with supplements like multivitamins, vitamin C intake, calcium-rich foods, food and adequate hydration is the way to go. In case there is an anatomical problem in the urinary tract, it is essential to get it evaluated as soon as possible.

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