4 Natural Remedies to Fight Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a rather common health issue.

Removing these stones naturally can be excruciatingly painful, and people who have had them before are more likely to get them again.

There are, however, a few things you can do to mitigate this risk.

This article describes what kidney stones are and discusses 8 dietary methods to fight them.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones, also known as renal stones or nephrolithiasis, are made up of hard, solid waste products that accumulate in the kidneys and crystallize.

There are four basic forms, although calcium oxalate stones account for over 80% of all stones. Struvite, uric acid, and cysteine are less prevalent types. While smaller stones are usually unaffected, larger stones may cause a blockage in part of your urinary system as they exit your body. This can result in excruciating agony, vomiting, and bleeding.

Kidney stones are a rather common health issue. In reality, around 12% of men and 5% of women in the United States will acquire a kidney stone at some point in their lives. Furthermore, studies show that if you have a kidney stone once, you are up to 50% more likely to develop another stone within the next 5 to 10 years. If you suspect to have kidney stones, you should consult with your nephrologist.

Here are eight natural ways to reduce your chances of developing another kidney stone.

1. Limit oxalate-rich meals.

Oxalate (oxalic acid) is an antinutrient present in a variety of plant foods, including leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, as well as chocolate. Furthermore, your body produces a significant amount of it. High oxalate consumption may result in increased oxalate excretion in the urine, which can be troublesome for persons who are prone to calcium oxalate crystal formation.

Oxalate has the ability to bind calcium and other minerals, creating crystals that can lead to the development of stones. Foods high in oxalate, on the other hand, tend to be highly healthful, thus a strict low-oxalate diet can no longer be advised for all stone-forming individuals.

A low-oxalate diet is only recommended for patients with hyperoxaluria, a disorder characterized by excessive oxalate levels in the urine. Consult your healthcare professional or a dietician before making any dietary changes to see if you would benefit from lowering your intake of oxalate-rich foods.

2. Reduce your salt intake

A high-salt diet has been related to an increased risk of kidney stones in some patients. High sodium intake, a component of table salt, may increase urine calcium excretion. This is one of the main risk factors for kidney stones.

However, some studies in younger adults have failed to find a link.

Most dietary standards recommend limiting sodium consumption to 2,300 mg per day. However, most people consume far more than that. Cutting back on packaged and processed meals is one of the best methods to reduce your salt intake.

3. Consume less animal protein

A diet vital in animal-based proteins, such as fish, meat, and dairy, is linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Large consumption of animal protein may increase calcium excretion and decrease citrate levels.

Additionally, animal-based protein sources are high in purines. These substances are broken down into uric acid and can elevate the risk of developing uric acid crystals.

Purines can be found in different levels in all meals.

Purines are plentiful in kidney, liver, and other organ meats. Plant meals, on the other hand, are poor in these compounds.

4. Keep hydrated

Drinking enough fluids is frequently advised for kidney stone prevention.

Fluids dilute and reduce the amount of urine's stone-forming components, making them less likely to crystallize.

However, not all fluids have the same effect. High water consumption, for example, has been associated with a lower risk of kidney stone formation.

Tea, beer, coffee, orange juice, and wine, are also related to a reduced risk.

On the other hand, drinking a lot of soda may contribute to the production of kidney stones. This holds true for both naturally and chemically sweetened sodas.

Sugar-sweetened soft drinks include fructose, which is known to enhance calcium, oxalate, and uric acid excretion. These are significant risk factors for kidney stones.

Due to their high phosphoric acid content, some studies have linked a high intake of artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened colas to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Conclusion

If you have had a kidney stone before, you will likely get another one over the next 5 to 10 years. Luckily, certain dietary precautions may help reduce this risk.

Consider increasing your fluid intake, eating foods high in particular nutrients, taking less animal protein, and minimizing sodium, for example.