Diet For Kidney Stone Prevention

Introduction

Chemicals in urine can cause the formation of kidney stones. Changes in your diet might help, especially when you know what type of kidney stone you have. The most common types of kidney stones are calcium and oxalate. The other type of kidney stone is uric acid. By knowing the type of kidney stone, a proper eating plan can be done. People with gout and diabetics are prone to have uric acid stones. It is advisable for diabetic patients to control their diet in order to reduce the risk of getting kidney stones.

A few tips that might help in preventing the stone formation or recurrence:

1. Drink Adequate Water
   Try harder to drink more fluids. Increase slowly until you reach about 8-10 glasses of water daily. If you have a problem with your kidney function or any medical condition that leads to water retention, then you have to limit fluid intake according to your doctor’s advice. You will know if the water you are drinking is enough when your urine is light and clear in colour.
2. Reduce Sodium/Salt Intake
   Taking too much sodium/salt will indirectly increase the chances of getting calcium oxalate kidney stones. Sodium/salt can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. Foods that are high sodium/salt are:
   • Salted fish
   • Processed foods
   • Canned foods
   • all type of sauces
   • Budu, cencalok, tempoyak
   • Fast foods
   • Salt/Table salt

Use more natural herbs and seasoning like lime, lemon, spices and lemongrass to enhance the flavour of food and reduce the use of sodium/salt in cooking.

3. Limit intake of Purine-Rich Food
   Some foods that contain higher purines should be avoided for those who are at risk of getting uric acid kidney stones. Go slow on food with a moderate amount of purine. List of food with high and moderate purine content:

   HIGH (150 – 1,000 mg per 100 g serving)	MODERATE (50-150 mg per 100 g serving)
   Internal organs herring mussels yeast fish eggs/ caviar/roe sardines Meat extracts	anchovies Red meat (mutton, veal, bacon) Seafood (crab, prawn) salmon turkey trout goose haddock asparagus spinach nuts and beans

    

4. Limit Intake of Food high in Oxalate
   Calcium oxalate stones develop when oxalate binds with calcium. The formation of calcium oxalate takes place in the urine that is acidic (low pH). Our body can also produce oxalate. Foods high in oxalate should be avoided if you have a history of calcium oxalate stones or at high risk for developing these stones.

   List of High Oxalate Foods

   Chocolate Beets String beans Celery Blackberries Spinach Parsley Draft beer Eggplant Sweet potatoes Rhubarb Strawberries Soy products

    

   Those who are prone to calcium oxalate stones should avoid grapefruit juice and dark colas. Cranberry juice might help in preventing urinary tract infections, but it contains oxalate that can lead to stone formation.

5. Be Cautious with Calcium Supplementation.
   Calcium that comes naturally in foods should not be avoided unless your doctor asks you to stop. Calcium supplementation has been linked to kidney stones and must be used with caution. If you are at risk of getting kidney stones, please get advice from a doctor before taking any calcium supplementations. The risk can be reduced if you take the supplement with meals.
   Even though you have to eat your meal with caution, you can still enjoy a well-balanced meal everyday with careful planning based on Malaysian Food Pyramid.