Kidney stones are hard masses of minerals that tend to build up in the lining of the kidneys and cause problems. The discomforts and concerns that kidney stones bring on may be something that many of us have experienced or are experiencing.
In the urine, calcium can combine with substances like oxalate or phosphorous. If these substances are concentrated to the point where they solidify, this may occur. Uric acid buildup can also result in kidney stones. The breakdown of proteins results in the accumulation of uric acid.
It should come as no surprise that passing kidney stones hurts so much since your urinary tract wasn’t intended to expel solids. Fortunately, diet can usually prevent them.
Can a proper diet help with kidney stones?
Every doctor, as we all know, advises kidney stone patients to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. But, of course, a healthy diet is also necessary in addition to that. Your diet has a significant impact on how well or how badly kidney stones are doing. So, if you want to get rid of kidney stones, you need to be aware of what your diet plan needs to contain.
Diet For Kidney Stones
Diet for calcium oxalate stones
- Foods high in calcium: Your diet should contain a suitable amount of calcium-rich foods if you have kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate stones, to prevent a drop in your body’s calcium levels. Therefore, make an effort to incorporate calcium-rich foods into your diet plan, such as yoghurt, cheese, tofu, legumes, etc.
- Bananas: Rich in vitamin B6, which aids in the body’s detoxification, bananas are a great source of nutrition. They are also very effective at preventing the development of calcium oxalate kidney stones due to their high potassium and magnesium contents.
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are just a few examples of citrus fruits that kidney stone sufferers can greatly benefit from. These fruits contain naturally occurring citrate, which significantly slows the growth and formation of kidney stones. Additionally, the citrate miraculously dissolves small kidney stones.
Diet for uric acid stones
- Low-fat dairy products: When it comes to uric acid stones, animal-based protein is typically not advised. Your body still requires the right amounts of protein to function properly, though. Switch to low-fat dairy products like skimmed milk, low-fat yoghurt, and low-fat cheese, to satisfy your protein requirement.
- Fruits rich in water content and minerals: Fruits with more than 80% water content, such as watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, and cantaloupe, are good for uric acid stones. These are also loaded with fibre and minerals, which help with digestion and lessen kidney stone symptoms.
- Wheatgrass: Wheatgrass encourages the production of more urine and has diuretic properties. It makes it easier to remove extra uric acid from the body through the urine, which prevents the development of new kidney stones.
- Banana stem juice: Banana stem juice has diuretic properties and aids in blood detoxification. You can avoid the problems of kidney stones by including banana stem juice in your daily diet.
Drinks to go for
You can incorporate a few healthy drinks into your diet for even better results. These beverages benefit general health and are even more advantageous in the case of kidney stones.
- Regular consumption of coconut water helps kidney stones pass more easily and reduces the risk of developing new stones by making urine more alkaline.
- Pomegranate juice aids in the removal of toxins from the body and has antioxidant properties.
- The consumption of green tea can be very beneficial in preventing kidney stones of all sizes from growing larger.
- Due to the citrate content in them, lemon-lime sodas aid in the dissolution of kidney stones.
- Chamomile tea can significantly lessen the discomfort and signs of kidney stones. It calms the urinary tract and enhancing digestive health.
Foods to Avoid if you have Kidney Stones
Now that you are aware of the foods that can help prevent kidney stones, you also need to be aware of the foods that can aggravate kidney stone symptoms.
If you suffer from kidney stones, you should stay away from the following food groups.
- Consume fewer salty foods and less sodium overall. Sodium can increase the risk of developing new stones by causing calcium to accumulate in the urine. So, stay away from foods that are high in sodium.
- Foods high in oxalate, such as spinach, beets, nuts, dark chocolate, etc., should be avoided as they encourage the development of kidney stones.
- Colas and other caffeinated beverages should not be consumed in excess. This is because they dehydrate people and make the pain worse.
- Stay away from processed and junk food because they put more stress on your digestive system and cause pain.
Precautions and Warning
Even if you follow the best diet for kidney stones, if you continue to smoke or drink alcohol, your results may not be satisfactory. Smoking significantly increases the risk of kidney stones developing and getting worse. It causes inflammation in the other parts of the urinary tract and kidney damage.
Additionally, excessive and frequent alcohol consumption leads to dehydration, which exacerbates the pain and discomfort of kidney stone symptoms.
The Bottom Line
A healthy kidney stone diet can help dissolve and pass small kidney stones as well as significantly reduce pain and other symptoms. Therefore, be sure that your diet includes foods that are helpful for avoiding kidney stones if you want the desired results in a shorter amount of time.
However, if your kidney stones are quite large and dietary changes alone are not relieving your symptoms, talk to your doctor. After a thorough diagnosis, your doctor might suggest surgery in this situation.
Also Read:
A Mineral that is required for keeping our Bones Healthy
Jaundice Diet Chart: The Ultimate Guide For Your Health
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