2024-02-16 06:00:49
Kidney stones can cause intense, unpleasant pain. If you’ve ever experienced this, you probably know how important it is to take steps to prevent them from forming in the future. Fortunately, your diet plays a crucial role in preventing kidney stones.
1. Drink more fluids
One of the most effective ways to prevent kidney stones is to drink enough fluids. When urine is concentrated, waste products in the fluids tend to crystallize, promoting the formation of kidney stones. Most people are much more dehydrated than they realize. They don’t drink enough fluids.
It is recommended to drink at least 2.5 liters of fluid per day, or about 10 cups. Water is the best choice, but most drinks, including coffee and alcohol, are acceptable. However, sugary drinks like soda can increase the risk of kidney stones, while certain varieties of tea may not be suitable for all types of kidney stones.
2. Maintain Adequate Consumption of Calcium-Rich Foods
Contrary to popular belief, people with calcium oxalate kidney stones generally do not need to eliminate dairy products from their diet. Calcium is essential for bone and muscle health, but excessive consumption of calcium supplements can be problematic. Try to meet your calcium needs through your diet unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
3. Reduce your salt intake
High salt consumption promotes the formation of kidney stones. Western diets are terrible at salt intake, and it’s not just a matter of adding salt to foods. Many foods we eat contain high amounts of sodium.
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It’s surprising how much salt is present even in healthy foods. Limit your salt intake to 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams per day, or about half a teaspoon. In addition to not salting your food, pay attention to the amount of sodium in prepared foods, such as salad dressings, cereals, breads, soups, pasta sauces and snacks.
4. Add lemon or lime juice to your water
Lemon or lime juice can be a valuable ally in preventing kidney stones. They contain citrate, which neutralizes the acidity of urine and can prevent calcium stones from forming. By adding lemon or lime juice to your water, you can increase your daily intake of citrate and thus reduce your risk of kidney stones.
Try adding about half a cup of concentrated lemon or lime juice to your water throughout the day.
5. Talk to your doctor about supplements
Some common supplements, such as vitamin C, turmeric, and calcium, may increase your risk of kidney stones. Others, like fish oil and vitamin B6, can help reduce this risk. It is important to discuss the use of supplements with your doctor to ensure that they do not promote the formation of kidney stones.
6. Re-evaluate certain healthy foods
Your doctor may recommend other dietary changes based on the type of kidney stones you have and the results of a 24-hour urine test to determine the composition of your urine. For example, if your urine contains a high amount of oxalate, your doctor may advise you to avoid foods high in oxalate, such as rhubarb and spinach. However, it may also recommend that you eat these foods with dairy products, because the calcium in dairy binds to oxalates and eliminates them in the stool rather than urine.
7. Limit your meat consumption
If you have kidney stones, it is recommended to reduce your meat intake. Animal proteins can increase the acidity of urine, promoting the crystallization of compounds that can turn into kidney stones. UExcessive consumption of animal protein can also reduce the presence of citrate in the urine, which, as previously mentioned, helps prevent the formation of kidney stones.
You don’t need to completely eliminate meat from your diet, but try to reduce your intake of fish, chicken, pork and red meat.
By adopting these dietary tips into your daily life, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. However, it is important to consult your doctor for personalized advice based on your specific situation. Take care of your kidneys by making healthy food choices!
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François Lehn has been a science/health journalist for 15 years. Specializing in new health approaches and complementary care, he notably had the opportunity to collaborate for two years with Professor David Servan-Schreiber. Passionate about integrative medicine and the complementarity of different preventive and therapeutic health approaches, he tirelessly seeks the best information, health practitioners, doctors or researchers in order to provide the most reliable and useful knowledge for everyone’s health.
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