What is an oxalate-controlled diet?

According to highly sought-after urologist Cletus Georges, MD, one of the best ways to avoid the occurrence of kidney stones is by taking your daily diet more seriously. Specifically, having an oxalate-controlled diet has proven to work wonders for those who have developed kidney stones.

What exactly is an oxalate-controlled diet?

Oxalates are naturally occurring chemicals found in many foods. Some people with kidney stone disease have problems digesting these oxalates. When they can't break down and digest these chemicals, they can build up and cause painful kidney stones. Consumed food are broken down into nutrients that our bodies use. Nutrients pass through a filter in our kidneys and become urine shares Cletus Georges, MD. Oxalates can build up in the kidneys and form sharp crystals that cause the excruciating pain of having kidney stones.

An oxalate-controlled diet is low in the nutrients that become oxalates. Since you're not eating as many foods, an oxalate-controlled diet can be hard to follow. To help you stay healthy during your treatment with this special diet, be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. You need five or more servings of fruits and veggies every day.

Remember that you don't have to cut out all foods with oxalates. You need to change the number of oxalate-containing foods in your diet. Reducing your intake of nutrients that become oxalates may help stop kidney stones from forming or getting bigger. The idea is to find the correct balance to get the nutrients you need and limit your intake of oxalates.

Cletus Georges, MD, is a widely recognized specialist in urology. He shares his expertise to his many loyal readers who eagerly await his blogs. For more related reading, please visit this page.