Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form from substances dissolved in the urine. When the urine is too concentrated, or some kind of bacterial inflammation occurs in the kidneys, crystals begin to form, from which hard stones are formed. If the stones are small, they can leave the kidneys painlessly.

But if they are large, they can get stuck in the ureter and cause severe pain and fever. A combination of diet and a healthy lifestyle is most often helpful in preventing kidney stones.

How To Prevent Kidney Stones?

Here are some nutritional guidelines that are important to follow if you want to prevent kidney stones.

Avoid Dehydration

The best way to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of water. If you drink a little liquid, then your urine will be more concentrated. And it will be difficult for salts to dissolve in it, from which stones are formed.

It is better that you drink about eight to ten glasses of fluid a day – to get two liters of urine daily. If you exercise a lot and sweat, then you need to drink even more. Pay attention to the color of the urine – it should be clear or pale yellow. If it is dark in color, you need to drink more.

Limit Alcohol

At first, insidious alcoholic drinks promise fun and relaxation, but everything turns into another health problem, including kidney problems. On the one hand, a glass of alcoholic drink deceives the body and causes a diuretic effect. And on the other hand, it makes the cells retain more fluid.

As a result, less water comes into the blood, and the kidneys filter thick liquid, at the same time, get exposed to toxins. All this can lead to both chemical and mechanical damage to the kidneys, especially if they already contain salt crystals. However, one can deal with this problem by limiting or giving up alcohol consumption.

Alcohol abuse is becoming common among civilians and veterans alike. Thus, there are special treatment centers for veterans and separate centers for civilians all across the US. One can take help from them to cure the problem of alcoholism and prevent kidney stones.

Use Less Salt

Too much salt in the urine interferes with the reabsorption of calcium from the urine into the blood. It causes high levels of calcium in the urine and can lead to the formation of stones. Accordingly, the less salt you eat, the lower the level of calcium in the urine and the risk of developing urolithiasis.

Not only the salt that you use as a seasoning is dangerous but also the hidden salt in canned vegetables, fish, meat, various smoked meats, pickles, and marinades, as well as in products containing monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrate, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda ). Of course, eating less salty food is hard, so you can use other spices and herbs as seasonings.

Eat More Calcium-Rich Foods

The most common type of kidney stone is formed from calcium oxalates (salts and esters of oxalic acid) and calcium phosphates. But people think that calcium stones are formed directly from calcium – they are not! Conversely, diets low in calcium can increase the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis.

But dietary supplements with calcium can indeed lead to stones, so they need to be taken with caution. Instead, increase your intake of cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and other foods rich in natural calcium.

Minimize Oxalate-Rich Foods

The oxalates mentioned above are able to bind with calcium in the urine, thereby contributing to the appearance of stones. These substances are found in some foods in large quantities, so their consumption should be limited. These are chocolate, coffee, tea, legumes, potatoes, peanuts, beets, soy products, and wheat.

Drink Orange Juice

The citric acid found in freshly squeezed orange juice, citrus juices, and natural lemonade can help prevent kidney stones. But even here, there are limitations. Too high doses of vitamin C, for example, obtained with the help of dietary supplements, can increase the risk of stone formation, especially in men.

Eat Less Red Meat

Foods high in animal protein – meat, poultry, fish, eggs – can increase urine acidity, lowering its pH, and lead to calcium oxalate kidney stones. Red meat is considered especially harmful in this case as it contains a lot of purines. This purine contributes to the production of uric acid in the body. Limit your intake of beef and pork if you’re concerned about stones.

Limit Sugar And Soda Consumption

Unfortunately, the beloved cola is rich in phosphates, which can also lead to kidney stones, making the urine more acidic. It’s the same story with sugar, which is present in foods and drinks with long shelf life.

Keep track of the amount of sugar you consume with cakes, pastries, sugary fruits, soft drinks, and juices. Sweeteners and fructose are also not suitable – it is better to use honey and stevia.

Eat More Vegetables And Greens

Fiber-rich, non-starchy vegetables and herbs such as celery, parsley, basil, broccoli, carrots, corn, kale, red and yellow peppers, and others only contribute to good metabolism. Eating such foods lead to the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals and the elimination of toxins from the body. Elimination of harmful products from the body leads to a lesser risk of stones.

Take Away

If you are experiencing severe pain in the bladder, then it might be because of kidney stones. Sometimes these are smaller in size and easier to deal with; however, in other cases, they are bigger in size. Such stones are removed only through surgery.

But you can prevent such a situation from occurring by following the tips mentioned above. These tips will help you save your life from trouble and also avoid the formation of stones in the kidney.