How to prevent kidney stones

Preventing kidney stones means preventing the conditions that support their formation; and you can do that with these tips:

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking extra water dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stones. Strive to drink enough water, up to 2 litres a day. It may help to include some citrus beverages, like lemonade and orange juice. The citrate in these beverages help block stone formation.

• Get the calcium you need: Getting too little calcium in your diet can cause oxalate levels to rise and cause kidney stones. To prevent this, make sure to take in an amount of calcium appropriate to your age. Ideally, obtain calcium from foods like milk and yoghurt, since some studies have linked taking calcium supplements to kidney stones. 

• Reduce sodium: A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. So a low-sodium diet is recommended for the stone prone. 

• Limit animal protein: Eating too much animal protein, such as red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, boosts the level of uric acid and could lead to kidney stones. A high-protein diet also reduces levels of citrate, the chemical in urine that helps prevent stones from forming. 

• Avoid stone-forming foods: Beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts are rich in oxalate, and colas are rich in phosphate, both of which can contribute to kidney stones. If you suffer from stones, your doctor may advise you to avoid these foods or to consume them in smaller amounts.

Some studies have shown that men who take high doses of vitamin C in the form of supplements are at slightly higher risk of kidney stones. That may be because the body converts vitamin C into oxalate.

So eat right, drink right and stay healthy.

X