Diet for Kidney Stones

In some ways, the role of diet in the occurrence of kidney stones has not yet been fully elucidated. What is certain is that any kind of calculation can only be attributed to poor nutrition. More often than not, in fact, the root of the problem there is a genetic predisposition, or at least a predisposing disease or disorder. This is also why there can be no precise and universal diet to prevent formation of kidney stones.
Importance of water in the prevention of kidney stones

A single recommendation is a consensus by physicians and researchers to combat the formation of kidney stones is important to keep the body hydrated by taking the right amount of fluids in the diet. In doing so, in fact, substances present in urine is more diluted, so the less the chance that precipitate and are aggregated.
Of course it is important not to overdo the water supply must always be proportionate to the level of nutrition and physical activity and never too much (besides the risk of electrolyte imbalances, resulting in hyper-filtration renal work can damage the kidney function in susceptible individuals). Treatment with mineral water (treatment hydroponic) cannot be continued too long or too lightly conducted without prior physician.
Generally, we recommend a water consumption of approximately 2-3 liters per day, so that the urine volume is 2 liters over 24 hours. At the same time it is recommended that a generous intake of liquids, especially in critical times, such as meals, overnight, in the presence of hydro-saline losses on the gastrointestinal (diarrhea, vomiting) and in case of excessive sweating during exercise or stay in a climate too hot and humid. Attention to the long journeys, especially by air. Typically, urine is very pale yellow light of a proper hydration, while it is necessary to increase the water supply if the urine appears dark yellow or brown.
Often, in the presence of kidney stones is recommended to prefer the water to other drinks, mineral waters or choosing preferably slightly mineralized, in order to limit the intake of sodium and calcium, which can contribute to the increase in urine formation. Coffee, tea and fruit juices that are foods rich in oxalates, so their consumption should be limited especially in the presence of calcium oxalate calculi.
Kidney stones: diet because there is no equal for everyone?

In addition to reduced fluid intake, some dietary habits can promote the occurrence of kidney stones in susceptible individuals, in this regard, it is first necessary to establish with certainty what type of calculations affects the patient, since the dietary measures needed to prevent certain types of calculations may be contraindicated in front of stones of different origin. Sometimes, as in the presence of striate complicating recurrent urinary infections, diet has little deterrent effect in this case, for example, antibiotic treatment becomes necessary.
Diet for kidney stones is aimed essentially three objectives:
reduce the urinary excretion of salts responsible for the formation of the calculation;
increase the degree of dilution of these salts;
increase the intake of substances such as citric acid, which can inhibit the formation;
reduce the factors that predispose to precipitation of salts responsible for the formation of the calculation.
As explained, the dietary changes should always be prescribed and monitored by the attending physician, knowing that "the chemical identikit" of kidney stones may determine the most appropriate diet. The calculations, in fact, are not all alike: they can be composed of calcium oxalate (the most common, present in approximately 70% of kidney stones), calcium phosphate (3-10%), calcium rate (10%) , striate (10-20%) or cysteine (1%).
pH of urine

Acidic urine are associated with kidney stones, xanthine and uric acid, while in the presence of basic urine increases the risk of kidney concretions of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate and striate. The calculations of calcium oxalate, the most common, they develop greater urinary neutral or alkaline environments.
Regarding the influence of diet on urinary pH, there are typically acidic urine in the diets rich in meat, especially when stored, and alkaline urine in vegetarian diets or, more generally rich in vegetables and fruits (except plums and blueberries) .
The lemon juice and potassium citrate are two of the most widely used alkaline urine, and as such are particularly suitable in case of uric acid and kidney stones, and in these cases, the urine is alkalized to a pH close to neutrality ( 6.5 to 7).Exceeded values ​​of 7.5 increases the risk of kidney stones of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate and striate. In these cases, alkalization of urine would then worsen with the clinical picture of the patient.
Meat and kidney stones

A diet rich in meat more frequently leads to a type of uric acid kidney stones. Due to the excessive consumption of protein, in fact, the urine becomes more acidic and increases the elimination rate of calcium and uric acid, while lowering that of citrate (substances that prevent the precipitation of these salts).
If there is a predisposition to kidney stones uric source (accumulation of uric acid) should be limited to all those foods high in purines such as anchovies, herring, sardines, shellfish, liver, sweetbreads, kidneys, heart, game, geese and pigeons. It should instead encourage the hiring of alkaline urine as potassium citrate and magnesium citrate. In fact, the solubility of uric acid increased appreciably with alkalization of urine pH to the point that sometimes the only medical treatment with alkalizing is capable of dissolving urinary stones composed of uric acid only. Conversely, in the presence of acidic urine, uric acid tends to precipitate. By contrast, and here we find yet another invitation to evaluate with the doctor and dietitian if the diet most suitable in the presence of kidney stones, excessive alkalization of urine (pH> 7) facilitates the precipitation of calcium phosphates.
Being rich in methionine (an amino acid precursor of kidney), the protein-rich products should be limited even in the presence of kidney origin of kidney, which benefited the same way - in the perspective of prevention and therapy - urinary.
Vegetables and kidney stones

Some vegetables, like spinach, beets, spinach and parsley are particularly rich in oxalates, so ingestion of large quantities of such foods could lead to the appearance of calcium oxalate stones. Under normal conditions, about 20% of urinary oxalate comes from diet, and its intestinal absorption increases in the course of inflammatory enteric disease, which includes Cohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other disorders less frequent.
For the intake of folic acid, which contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular risk associated with, a reduction in consumption of these foods may still be recommended by a doctor; same goes for the intake of vitamin K in patients taking anticoagulants such as Coumadin. Hence the importance and the absolute need to discuss in advance with your doctor any changes in dietary perspective of prevention, avoiding extremes of the concepts presented in the article.
Salt and kidney stones

A diet high in salt and sodium, more generally, increases the urinary excretion of calcium and reduces urinary pH and citrate excretion, thus promoting the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. For this reason, and to avoid other unpleasant conditions (hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis), you should not take more than 6-8 grams of salt a day. In particular, it is good to keep in snacks and processed foods in general, as sources of "hidden" sodium but very important (see: salt is bad?).
Calcium, vitamin D and kidney stones

The role of calcium in the formation of kidney stones has always been the subject of numerous studies and research. Today it has come to the conclusion that in the healthy population a diet rich in calcium not only predisposes to urinary tract stones, but may even prevent it by reducing the absorption of oxalic acid. It is therefore recommended a daily intake of 1200 mg, 800 mg of calcium provided by dairy products.
An excess of vitamin D in the diet - however difficult to achieve with the power only - promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium, causing hyperkalemia (excess calcium in the blood) and (excess calcium in the urine). This event could occur in a patient taking regular supplements of calcium and vitamin D to fight or prevent osteoporosis.
And oxalate kidney stones

An excess of oxalic acid in the diet has been particularly harmful, as it promotes the synthesis of calcium oxalate kidney stones, it is ubiquitous (it is a bit 'all over the world), but as mentioned some foods are particularly rich in chocolate, nuts, cola and carbonated beverages in general, fruit juices, tea, cabbage, peas, asparagus, spinach and rhubarb. We must stress however that in case of overproduction of oxalate physiology, reducing the consumption of these foods so prevents kidney stones, but does so only marginally. What counts then, again, is not so much the introduction of total oxalates, but rather the degree of intestinal absorption, endogenous synthesis and the quantity of liquids in the diet.
Alcohol and kidney stones

Renal excretion of uric acid and oxalate is increased by the consumption of alcohol.
Sweets and kidney stones

A huge consumption of sugar in the diet increases the elimination of calcium in the urine, so the risk of grinding stones. In addition, some typical ingredients of desserts (cocoa) are especially rich in oxalate.
Fiber and kidney stones

In the presence of urinary tract stones has recommended a diet rich in slag, because the physic acid content in foods of plant origin (vegetables, fruits and whole grains) binds with calcium to form insoluble compounds and non-absorbable. Fruits and vegetables also increase the elimination of citrates, substances that are 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 (although the risk of too alkaline urine should be limited in the presence of calculations of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium phosphate, striate or calcium oxalate).
Potassium and kidney stones

According to some authors, the potassium-rich foods (beans, apricots, peas, potatoes, garlic and dried fruits) reduce the urinary excretion of calcium without interfering with the absorption of the ion.
Vitamin C and kidney stones

Even an excess of vitamin C in the diet appears to promote the synthesis of kidney stones, due to increased endogenous production of oxalate. For this reason, especially if you have a history of stones left behind, and is generally recommended to limit the total dietary intake of vitamin C (plus any dietary supplements) not more than 1 g per day. The risk that vitamin C can metabolize oxalate is higher in the absence of pyridoxine (vitamin B6), as may happen in case of colitis with recurring diarrhea. Before taking supplements of vitamin C, therefore, people with calcium oxalate stones should perform additional medical tests.
Water, calcium and kidney stones

More that quality is important to assess the amount of water and more generally in the diet of liquids (broth, tea, juice etc.).. People predisposed to kidney stones should therefore strive to drink plenty of water and repeatedly during the day (at least 2 liters of water). In the case of individual predisposition, or to prevent future recurrences, this proportion may be increased up to 3 liters.
In general, rather than comply with a precise amount of liquid consumed, it is important to adapt the water supply to the environmental situation. The visual inspection of the urine is a very simple question that the patient can take to control their hydration status. In particular, the urine should never appear too dark or concentrated, as this feature would increase the risk of forming kidney stones.
To avert the risk of urinary tract stones is very important that the amount of liquid to be divided evenly throughout the day, drinking a bit 'of water even before bedtime. They go instead to avoid certain drinks such as tea concentrate (rich in oxalates), Coca-Cola (absolutely not recommended in case of kidney stones) and alcohol (rising levels of excretion of oxalic acid and uric acid).
Although some studies have shown that calcium-rich mineral waters may be a protective factor in the presence of gallstones is usually recommended the use of slightly mineralized water, which, as poor in minerals, promote and facilitate diuresis' removal of small kidney stones.
Recommended Foods

LEMON JUICE CITRUS: citric acid content in these foods may be particularly useful for patients with uric acid stones because it increases the urinary pH and citrate excretion, factors that reduce the formation of crystals of uric acid is that of kidney. As stated in the article, the consumption of lemon juice for therapeutic purposes may be contraindicated in the presence of calcium stones, which develop in an environment more neutral or alkaline urine.
ONION: it has a powerful diuretic effect and helps to eliminate uric acid.
PARSLEY: stimulates the appetite and digestion, promotes diuresis removing small kidney stones (gravel).
CELERY: it has diuretic properties, with effective action on the liver and draining the respiratory tract and is therefore useful in case of kidney and liver failure.
ARTICHOKE, CABBAGE, APPLE AND NETTLE: they increase the excretion of urine.