Based on a report [1], it has found that kidney stone incidences have increased in the United States between 1980 and 1994. It also predicts that, within the United States, about 10–15% of adults will be diagnosed with a kidney stone.

Diet plays an important role in the development of kidney stones. As we eat richer diets, we must deal with more wastes. And wastes come through our kidneys and out in our urine. The relation between diet and kidney stones may be different in older adults because the metabolism of many dietary factors, such as calcium, may change with age. Body size also affect the relation between diet and kidney stone formation. Therefore, dietary recommendations for stone prevention should be tailored to the individual patient.[2]

Four Major Dietary Factors

There are four major "hot spots" in a stone former's diet:

1. Protein

2. Calcium

3. Oxalate

4. Salt

All can directly influence our potential for developing kidney stones and they can interact with one another to tip the balance toward stone formation.  For example, evidence suggests that when consumed together, calcium may bind with oxalate in the upper gastro-intestinal tract and pass through stool before these compounds can reach the kidneys and cause nephrolithiasis. In a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic nephrologists, 24-hour metabolic analysis showed significant changes in urinary calcium and oxalate excretion with vitamin D supplementation, suggesting a possible protective effect.[17]

In [18], Aaron Miller et al at Clevelant Clinic have discovered the importance of microbial oxalate metabolism by the gut microbiota:

The results of their study has shown that both antibiotics and high-fat, high-sugar diet have a significant, negative impact on oxalate metabolism. Oxalate, present in 80 percent of kidney stones, is a significant contributor to the formation of stones and is often a target for therapy to prevent recurrent episodes of  urinary stone disease.

In other words, you want to host a healthy intestinal oxalate-degrading bacteria communities, which can degrade oxalate and significantly reduce the amount circulating in the blood, if you consume a high oxalate diet.

24-hour Urine Study

A simple examination of urine component can reveal a patient's stone risk. It has been found that:

• higher calcium => higher stone risk

• higher oxalate => higher stone risk

• higher urate => higher stone risk

• higher urine volume => lower stone risk

• higher citrate => lower stone risk

  • Citrate is natural inhibitor of kidney stones.

  • The vast majority of citrate is made right in kidney and controlled by urinary pH. The kidney makes more citrate if urinary pH is high (alkaline) and less if it is low (acidic).

  • More recent studies have suggested that citrus fruits may reduce stone risk slightly by raising urinary citrate. However, citrus peel is high in oxalate.

  • To treat stone formers, doctors usually prescribe alkaline potassium salts (including potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate). Potassium citrate compounds are somewhat better than potassium bicarbonate compounds because they raise the urinary citrate level more.

Risk Factors

Read this companion article for all risk factors of kidney stones.

Warning

This article is not intended as and does not substitute for doctor's advices - the content presented is for your information only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Reference(s)

1. Stamatelou, Kiriaki K.; Francis, Mildred E.; Jones, Camille A; Nyberg Jr., Leroy M.; Curhan, Gary C. (2003). "Time trends in reported prevalence of kidney stones in the United States: 1976–1994"

2. Taylor EN; Stampfer MJ; Curhan GC (2004). "Dietary factors and the risk of incident kidney stones in men: new insights after 14 years of follow-up."

3. No More Kidney Stones by John S. Rodman, M.D., R. Ernest Sosa, M.D., and Cynthia Seidman, M.S., R.D, with Rory Jones.

4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Detoxing Your Body by Delia Quigley.

5. The Role of Diet in the Prevention of Common Kidney Stones: Dietary Changes to Prevent and Reduce Stone Formation

6. The Swiss Screte to Optimal Health by Thomas Rau, M.D. with Susan Whler

7. The Acid Alkaline Balance Diet by Felicia Drury Kliment

8. Iced Tea Can Contribute to Painful Kidney Stones

9. Acid-Alkaline Balance

10. Building Strong Bones

11. Types of Kidney Stones

12. 6 Health Risks of Calcium Supplements

13. A Diet to Prevent Kidney Stones: Foods Vary

    • Low-sodium diet is healthy for the kidneys as well as the heart.

    • People can also reduce their risk of developing kidney stones and improve their health in general by increasing their intake of melons and citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges, says Dr. Monga.

14. 9 Unknown Signs You’ll Get Kidney Stones and How to Prevent Them

15. Alpha-lipoic acid prevents kidney stones in mouse model of rare genetic disease

16. How Not to Die from Kidney Disease | NutritionFacts.org

17. Kidney Stones: Water, Calcium and the DASH Diet

18. Antibiotics, High-Fat, High-Sugar Diets and Microbial Oxalate Metabolism

19. Mechanisms facilitating the persistent colonization of oxalate-degrading bacteria