Kidney stone diet

By George Nava True II

What is the best diet for kidney stones? – Alfredo Jay, Cebu City.

That depends on the type of stone(s) you have. The most common stones are calcium oxalate stones followed by uric acid stones.

In the former, calcium isn’t the enemy, according to the US National Kidney Foundation (NKF). In fact, the NKF said a diet low in calcium may increase your chances of getting kidney stones. The culprit is oxalate that’s found in a lot of fruits and vegetables. High sources include peanuts, chocolate, spinach, sweet potatoes, and tea.  So it’s best to reduce your intake of these foods if you don’t want to develop calcium oxalate stones.

The good news is that taking calcium foods (like milk, yogurt and ice cream) together with oxalate foods during a meal will reduce stone formation. The NKF said this is because calcium and oxalate bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before going to the kidneys. This means that stones are less likely to form.

Beat the odds

You can also beat the odds of developing calcium oxalate stones by limiting your sodium intake. Eating a lot of sodium will make you lose more calcium in your urine. So check food labels to make sure your diet plan is not being sabotaged by hidden sodium in canned goods, processed, and fast food. Go for low sodium foods instead.

If you have uric acid stones, the NKF recommends reducing you intake of high-purine foods (like red meat, organ meats, sardines, and shellfish). Other rich sources of purines are beer and alcoholic beverages.

Focus on vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Likewise, reduce your consumption of sugar-rich foods and drinks, especially those with high fructose corn syrup. This will make you less prone to developing uric acid stones.

Likely to return

Unfortunately, having kidney stones is not a one-shot deal. Even if they pass out of your body, they’re likely to return if you’re not careful. So watch your diet and drink plenty of water. This will dilute your urine and prevent the buildup of calcium or uric acid. The NKF recommends drinking 2 to 3 quarts of water daily.

Drink more water while exercising and in hot weather since less urine means you’re more likely to form stones. Coffee and lemonade are other good choices since they help produce less concentrated urine. Lastly, avoid mega doses of vitamin C supplements since this can produce more oxalate in the body.

For inquiries, write to georgenavatrue@yahoo.com.