Can Diet Changes Prevent Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones affect about 11% of men and 6% of women, and if you’ve ever had one, you’re likely keen to avoid a repeat occurrence. While staying hydrated is an important part of kidney stone prevention, you may wonder what role your diet plays. 

That’s just the topic that our board-certified urologists are here to discuss. Read on to learn how dietary changes can prevent kidney stones and how the team at Bellingham Urology Group in Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Washington, can help if you develop one.

Learn more about kidney stones

Kidney stones are mineral and salt deposits that grow in your kidneys. Several types can form, including calcium phosphate, struvite, calcium oxalate, and uric acid stones.

Although they start in your kidneys, kidney stones can move throughout your urinary tract, causing symptoms including: 

• Lower back pain
• Groin pain
• Pain  when you urinate
• Cloudy, discolored, or foul-smelling urine
• An urgent need to urinate

If you develop an infection, you may also experience fatigue and fever. Nausea and vomiting may also occur.

Can diet changes prevent kidney stones?

While kidney stones are often caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, your diet does have a big impact on kidney stone development. What you eat directly impacts the concentration of minerals and salts in your urine, which can either promote or inhibit the formation of kidney stones. 

Making specific changes to your diet can help prevent the formation of new stones and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Dietary changes that help prevent kidney stones

The following modifications can help prevent kidney stone formation:

Drink more water

It may sound simple, but proper hydration is non-negotiable. Drinking plenty of fluids dilutes the substances in your urine that lead to stones. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Increased fluid intake helps to produce more urine, which helps flush out potential stone-forming minerals.

If you’re having trouble logging enough ounces, try tracking your water intake with a health app, add fresh fruit to your water for a tasty treat, and keep a refillable water bottle on hand at all times.

Monitor your sodium intake

High sodium levels can increase calcium in your urine, which then raises the risk of developing calcium-based stones. To reduce your sodium intake:

• Avoid adding extra salt to your meals
• Flavor your meals with non-salt seasonings, such as fresh herbs and spices
• Choose low-sodium versions of your favorite foods
• Read labels to check the sodium content

As a bonus, monitoring your sodium intake can also help if you’re watching your blood pressure levels.

Eat more plant-based protein

Excessive consumption of animal proteins, such as red meat, poultry, and eggs, can increase the risk of uric acid-based kidney stones. Animal protein increases the amount of uric acid and reduces the levels of citrate, a chemical that helps prevent stone formation. 

Plant-based protein sources include nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, beans, and lentils. 

Add more calcium-rich foods to your diet

Contrary to popular belief, consuming adequate calcium can help prevent kidney stones, especially calcium oxalate stones. Calcium binds with oxalate in your intestines and prevents it from being absorbed into your bloodstream and reaching your kidneys. 

Fortified dairy products include calcium, but dairy isn’t your only option. Other sources of calcium include dark, leafy greens; canned salmon (with the bones); fortified cereals and juice; and seeds. 

A note about other risk factors

Keep in mind that there are many risk factors (e.g. obesity, kidney disease, and gout) for kidney stones, so dietary changes alone aren’t a guaranteed way to avoid them for good. 

That being said, dietary changes can go a long way in helping prevent kidney stones. 

Get help for kidney stones

Even with the best prevention strategy in place, it’s not uncommon to develop a kidney stone, especially if you have several risk factors.

Small stones may pass on their own, and you can facilitate the process by drinking extra fluids. If your kidney stone is too large to pass on its own, your Bellingham Urology Group provider may recommend medication or minimally invasive treatments. 

Your potential options include robotic kidney stone surgery, shockwave lithotripsy, medical dissolution, and medical expulsive therapy. Once your kidney stone passes, continue to stay hydrated and eat nutrient-dense foods to help prevent a recurrence. 

Questions about kidney stones? Give us a call at 360-714-3402 or click here to request an appointment.