Kidney Stones and Diet – Can A Kidney Stone Diet Prevent Further Kidney Damage?
Kidney Stones and diet are very much related. In fact, most kidney stones can be prevented if you only follow a proper diet regimen. The only drawback that we currently have is not having enough information dissemination with this seemingly growing disease.
Kidney stones are very often seen in the urinary system where different kinds of calciums are found in high amounts. We call this super saturation and this is dependent on the amount of substance, ionic strength and pH of the urine.
Urinary stones account for about 328,000 hospital admissions each year. This is pretty much a disease that affects middle aged individuals who are at their prime. About half of patients with a single renal stone have another episode within 5 years.
Through this alarming numbers you see above, it is but natural that we should discuss the relationship between kidney stones and diet. With that said, we know the importance of this diet not only to patients but to everyone as well.
Water can spare people from renal stones. As a matter of fact, this can also be used as a treatment supplement. A patient should complete the 8 glasses of water a day method. This is to keep the urine diluted and prevent super saturation.
You should not be carried away by people who are saying that calcium intake should be lowered. My suggestion is not to limit dietary calcium if not instructed by your health care giver. Lowering or restricting calcium will be very detrimental to a kidney patient.
Lowering protein intake is recommended to decrease urinary excretion of calcium and uric acid. We want to lower calcium excretion to prevent osteoporosis. A maximum of 6 oz of protein (on a normal healthy individual) gives the body enough energy during the day. Vegetables are great sources of protein, this is something that needs to be implemented well.
A healthy practice would be to have a “meat break” each week and select a day that you would only use beans, peas, and legumes as your protein source. This way, you will lower down the family’s red meat diet and increase complex carbohydrates.
If you’re looking for more information about this topic here’s a good article about Kidney Stone Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease Diet
Kidney stones and diet can be used to reverse the progression of any kidney disease as well. If it is used correctly, it will save patient’s lives.
Rachelle Gordon is a veteran kidney nurse that has helped hundreds of patients manage their kidney disease through her book entitled “The Kidney Diet Secrets”. She discusses in great detail how kidney stones and diet guide can help you manage your kidney disease. To learn more about it, click here: kidney stone diet
