What Kind Of Lifestyle And Dietary Changes Can Prevent Kidney Stone Disease?

While diet is a fundamental tool for the management of KSD, individual-tailored dietary suggestions and maintaining adequate fluid intake are crucial for the prevention of kidney stones.

There is no single diet plan for stone prevention, because kidney stones are of different types. (Photo: Freepik)

Diet and lifestyle changes for kidney stone prevention: There are many health conditions and diseases that are a result of making poor lifestyle choices. Kidney-related issues are among them. Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a global problem that is on the rise, despite the availability of effective therapeutic options. It is one of the most talked-about conditions in which lifestyle and dietary modifications form the basis for preventive strategies. Read on to find out more.

How To Prevent Kidney Stone Disease?

According to Dr Raghavendra Kulkarni, consultant urologist at Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Secunderabad, one of the best things to do to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. "Activities that cause excessive sweating, for example gym sessions, saunas, etc., result in loss of water from the body. Dehydration is a recognised general risk factor for kidney stones. But, how much water to drink? While the amount differs, 8-12 cups of water or 2.5 to 3 litre every day is recommended to ensure total urine output of 2.0 to 2.5 litre daily," the doctor explained.

Foods/Drinks To Avoid

The expert said carbonated, sugar-added, soft drinks are becoming popular. "Every 350ml contains 150 calories and has fructose added. Fructose increases excretion of stone forming substances into the urine. In people with the highest consumption of soft drinks, the risk of kidney stones is much higher," he warned.

The doctor also said that hypocitraturia (reduced citric acid levels in the urine) is a risk factor for kidney stones. "Fruit juices consumption in inappropriate amounts could be a risk factor due to their fructose content. Raw fruit consumption is preferred to juice form, as raw fruit provides additional fibre. Lemonades provide citrate and alkali load, thereby minimising the risk of kidney stones. Of all the lemonades and fruit juices, grapefruit juice and orange lemonade provide the highest citrate and alkali load to the body," Dr Kulkarni said.

Caffeine And Kidney Stones

Establishing an association between the two, the urologist said that caffeine -- a major bioactive constituent in coffee beans -- has a contradicting effect on kidney stone disease. "On one hand it exerts diuretic effect, which leads to excess urine production, on the other hand, it is known to result in precipitation of stone-forming salts in the urine."

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a 'major bioactive constituent' in green tea that is inversely associated with risk of KSD.

Is There A Diet Plan For Stone Prevention?

• According to the doctor, there is no single diet plan for stone prevention, because kidney stones are of different types, of which the most common one is calcium oxalate stone.
• Calcium, however, is not the enemy, but due to its name, there is a misunderstanding that calcium is the main cause in calcium oxalate stones. But, you would be surprised to know that a diet low in calcium actually increases the chances of developing stones. High dietary calcium binds dietary oxalate in the gut, reducing absorption of oxalate," he explained.
• Mediterranean diet patterns (consumption of plant-derived foods; low consumption of meat) are associated with lower risk of KSD.
• Ingestion of animal protein is associated with higher risk of KSD, because animal proteins are associated with low urinary pH and citrate concentration, and high concentrations of urinary oxalate and uric acid levels.
• High dietary sodium chloride (salt) is a cause for worsening of BP control and increased heart disease. It is also associated with urinary calcium excretion.