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Kidney Stones Diet
kidney stones diet should be designed to help regulate the body's biochemical systems, to minimize the risk of kidney stones formation. This should be of particular interest to those who may have personally been affected by kidney stones or whose relatives may presently have, or previously had kidney stones.
There are different types of kidney stones but most of them are composed of calcium salts. Others may be composed of magnesium, ammonia, or uric acid. It is important for persons who have been previously affected with kidney stones or whose relatives may have had this condition, to know the type of stones which affected them. This information allows for an appropriate diet to be formulated, to correct or regulate the conditions which may have allowed the stones to develop. A kidney stones diet should be planned by a dietitian or healthcare professional who in knowledgeable in this area. They will recommend a kidney stone diet which addresses specific individual needs. The following tips and information, however, provide a good indication of what a typical kidney stones diet may include. Drink a lot of good quality water. This is probably the most important measure that one can take to prevent kidney stones from forming. On average, you should try to drink at least 3 quarts of water on a daily basis. This works out to approximately 12 glasses (8 ounce glass) of water, daily. Water helps to dilute the urine and minimize the chances of concentration of minerals and salts, which can bond together to form kidney stones. Dehydration is a root cause of kidney stones... consequently, any kidney stones diet should start with the consumption of adequate amounts of water every day.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice can also form part of a kidney stones diet. Cranberry juice acidifies the urine which may help to prevent formation of some stones. Persons who are prone to uric acid stones, however, should avoid too much cranberry juice or any food which may acidify the urine. Follow the recommendations of your health care provider. Fresh lemon juice (unsweetened) mixed with warm water can also be implemented in a kidney stones diet. Similar to cranberry juice, lemon juice and water help to acidify the urine, thus preventing the formation of some kidney stones. Similar to cranberry juice though, this may not be appropriate for those who are prone to uric acid kidney stones.
Consume foods rich in vitamin A. Good sources of vitamin A include potatoes, pumpkin, apricots, cantaloupes and alfalfa. Vitamin A helps to maintain a healthy urinary tract. A kidney stones diet for persons who may be prone to calcium stones, may include extra magnesium. This helps to increase the solubility (liquidity) of calcium oxalate, thus minimizing the risk of formation of calcium stones. Good natural sources of magnesium are sea-foods, brown rice, soybeans, and tofu. Supplements of magnesium and vitamin B6 can also be effective in reducing the formation of kidney stones.
Reduce consumption of salt and some salt substitutes. These are sometimes high in potassium and phosphates which contributes to the formation of some kidney stones. Ask your dietitian to recommend a good salt substitute, and be sure to read food labels and avoid foods high in potassium and phosphates. At the same time you should reduce your intake of red meats. A vegetarian based diet is much more effective in preventing kidney stones than a diet with a high meat content. Fish or other white meats are good substitutes for red meats.
A kidney stone diet should also include nuts, whole grains, beans and seeds (such as pumpkin seeds). Try to consume oats and wheat bran on a regular basis, to help reduce the risk of kidney stones being formed. These are just some broad guidelines for a typical kidney stones diet. Depending on the type of kidney stone to which you are prone, some foods mentioned above may not apply to you. Always consult your healthcare provider for specific dietary recommendations. By itself, a kidney stones diet may not remove kidney stones, but it can be very effective in preventing them. Generally, a vegetarian type diet which is high in fiber and water, and low in sodium and processed foods is considered to be conducive to kidney stones prevention.
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