How to Prevent Kidney Stones - Foods to Avoid
Kidney stones are hard pieces of material that form in human kidneys when oxalate, phosphorus or calcium substances in urine become too concentrated. Certain foods can actually increase the likelihood of contracting Kidney Stones. In the article below we explain which foods to avoid in order to prevent kidney stones.
While kidney stones are a common disorder of the urinary tract, passing them can be extremely painful. According to research, certain minerals, fluids and foods can actually promote formation of kidney stones. Click here to find out if you have kidney stones or not, or read the rest of this OneHowTo.com article to find out about foods that cause kidney stones.
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Animal Proteins - High in Purine
Animal protein can increase the risks of developing uric acid as well as calcium stones. Animal protein contains purine, a compound that gets broken down into uric acid in your urine, and helps in the formation of uric acid stones. Foods that have high amounts of purine include organ meats like liver, kidney and heart, anchovies, mackerel, sardines, herring, codfish, scallops, mussels, gravy, bacon, veal and shrimp. Animal protein has acid that can also decrease excretion of citrate and increase calcium in the urine. This may lead to formation of calcium stones in your kidney.
Sodium Rich Foods Increase Calcium Levels
Sodium may increase excretion of more calcium in your urine, thus increasing the risk of developing phosphate and calcium oxalate stones. Calcium may combine with phosphorus and oxalate to form stones.
According to experts, you should not take more than 2300 mg of sodium in a day. So, you should avoid foods that are typically high in sodium, such as canned vegetables and soups, processed frozen foods, fast foods, hot dogs, snack foods, pickled foods etc. You should avoid any food that has disodium phosphate, baking soda, baking powder, sodium nitrate or nitrite, sodium alginate or monosodium glutamate on its ingredients list.
Excess of Vitamin C and oxalate rich foods
Limit oxalate intake if you have a high risk of developing calcium oxalate stones. Oxalate rich foods can increase oxalate levels in your urine, and when calcium combines with oxalate, it leads to formation of calcium oxalate stones.
Oxalate rich foods include nuts, spinach, rhubarb, beets, buckwheat, chocolate, wheat bran etc. If you have high risk, then you should not take more than 2000mg of ascorbic acid or vitamin C in a day.
Stone promoting beverages
Liquid intake is extremely significant for people with kidney stones, as they dilute urine and reduce concentration of stone forming minerals. But not every fluid is good for stones. According to research, some fluids like dark colas, contain high amounts of phosphoric acid, and can actually increase your risk of developing kidney stones. Drinking plain water is highly helpful in preventing kidney stones. You should drink 8 to 12 glasses of water everyday.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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