What to eat if you have Kidney Stone

If you’ve ever had a kidney stone it’s unlikely that you will ever forget the experience. Kidney stones can be extremely painful and happens to be one of the most common disorders of urinary tract.

 

The role of kidney is to filter the blood by removing excess mineral salts and other soluble (dissolvable) wastes. The kidneys also produce the urine that dissolves these wastes and excretes them through the urinary tract. When a particular mineral is present in urine in larger quantity, it saturates the urine to such a level that no more can get dissolved. This un dissolved portion of the mineral forms crystals that then clump together and grow into hard stones, which can manifest themselves in kidneys or urinary tract (urolothiasis).

 

Kidney stones vary in their location, mineral content and contributing medical conditions, hence so should the line of treatment be. These stones can be as tiny as a grain (these ones usually pass out during urinating without much pain or discomfort) or as large as a lemon. These large stones may cause severe pain and at times, even kidney damage as they progress along the ureter, urinary bladder and renal tubes. The most common symptoms are pain and cramps in the back and lower abdomen, nausea, fever, burning sensation during urination and renal colic pain. The factors which predispose one to the risk of developing kidney stones range from genetics, metabolic disorders, sedentary lifestyle, wrong eating habits with overindulgence of junk foods, maida products and acid forming foods.

A major part of the treatment for this condition is aimed at preventing recurrences by adopting suitable dietary modifications and medications. Since about 80% of all kidney stones are composed of calcium and other minerals, usually a combination of calcium and oxalate, dietary adjustments help to prevent the recurrence and also to alleviate the symptoms.

Dietary Considerations

 

The aim of the diet for Kidney Stones is to balance the intake of substances likely to form the stones (calcium, oxalate and uric acid) and to improve the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste products effectively. When stones are composed of calcium and magnesium phosphates and carbonates, the diet should be so regulated as to maintain acidic urine. On the other hand, if the stones are of calcium oxalates, then urine should be alkaline.

• Increase fluid intake. This is the most important preventive measure for all patients who develop kidney stones. It hinders the formation of stones by diluting the urine. If your daily fluid intake is around 2.5 litres, you reduce your risk of a stone by one-third.

• Adopting a calcium controlled diet under guided supervision usually helps. However, care should be taken to maintain the calcium intake levels within a narrow range, not too much and not too little, because the body needs a certain amount for maintaining important functions. Its better to have calcium with your meals as Calcium supplements taken between meals have been found to increase the risk of stones Patients on a calcium-controlled diet should also always consult their physicians before taking any over-the-counter medication or vitamin supplement.

• Although there are many foods that contain large amounts of oxalate, a few foods which have been shown to substantially raise the urine oxalate levels are spinach, strawberries, chocolate, wheat bran, nuts, beets, and tea. Intake of these foods in moderation is advised.

• Sugar, sodium, and animal protein: It has been found that too much of these may also aggravate the development of calcium or calcium oxalate stones. Avoid refined and processed packaged foods with large amounts of added sugars, trans fats and excess salt as they interfere with calcium absorption and elevate the levels of calcium in the urine. Intake of diet high in animal protein (rich in purines) may also promote the formation of kidney stones (especially the uric acid stones) by increasing calcium excretion.
• Insoluble fiber: Insoluble dietary fiber, found in wheat, rye, barley, and brown rice may help to reduce calcium in the urine. The phytates in fibers combine with calcium in the intestines, so the calcium is excreted with the stool instead of through the kidneys. Insoluble fiber also speeds up movement of substances through the intestine, so there will be less time for calcium to be absorbed.
• Excessive intake of vitamin C supplements may increase the oxalate acid formation and hence should be taken in moderate amounts.

• Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 in natural and supplemental form aids to reduce the risk of stone.  Magnesium helps to keep calcium in solution and prevents it from forming stone. Food rich in magnesium include peanuts, almonds, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, tofu. Also eating potassium rich foods through fruits and vegetables such as barley, potatoes, wheat flour, cauliflower and banana can help avoid stone formation. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate (found in high fiber foods) may also play a role in reducing the risk the kidney stone formation.
• Avoid kidney irritants such as alcohol, nicotine, spices and caffeine.

(As published in Hindustan Times dated August 19, 2019)

ANJALI MUKERJEE, Nutritionist, Founder Director-Health Total, having health centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune.

Health Total treats obesity & other health related disorders.

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