What to eat for kidney stones?

Patients with kidney stones should drink more water, reduce the intake of high-oxalate, high-salt and high-protein foods, and appropriately increase the intake of foods rich in dietary fiber. The formation of kidney stones is related to factors such as diet, metabolic abnormalities, and urinary tract infections. Adjusting the dietary structure can help prevent and relieve symptoms. In terms of treatment, medication or surgical intervention should be selected according to the type of stones. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy can be performed if necessary.

1. Drinking plenty of water is the key to preventing and treating kidney stones. It is recommended to drink 2.5-3 liters of water per day to increase urine volume, dilute the concentration of minerals in urine, and reduce the risk of stone formation. Avoid drinking sugary drinks and caffeinated drinks. It is better to choose boiled water or lemonade.

2. Reduce the intake of high-oxalate foods, such as spinach, beets, chocolate, nuts, etc. Oxalic acid combines with calcium to easily form calcium oxalate stones. Restricting these foods can help reduce the risk of stones. At the same time, take in calcium in moderation and avoid a low-calcium diet, because low calcium will increase oxalate absorption.

3. Control salt intake, and do not exceed 5 grams of salt per day. A high-salt diet will increase the excretion of calcium in urine and promote stone formation. Reduce the use of processed foods, pickled foods and high-salt condiments, and choose fresh ingredients for cooking.

4. Reduce high-protein foods, especially animal protein. Excessive protein will increase the excretion of uric acid and calcium in urine, increasing the risk of uric acid stones and calcium stones. It is recommended to control daily protein intake to 0.8-1 g/kg body weight, with plant protein being the first choice.

5. Increase the intake of foods rich in dietary fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Dietary fiber helps regulate intestinal function, reduce oxalic acid absorption and reduce the risk of stones. It is recommended to consume 25-30 grams of dietary fiber per day, and choose foods such as oats, brown rice, and apples.

6. Eat a moderate amount of foods rich in citric acid, such as lemons, oranges, etc. Citric acid can inhibit the formation of stones, and increasing the citric acid content in urine helps prevent calcium stones. You can add lemon juice to water and drink it, 1-2 lemons a day.

7. Avoid high-purine foods, such as animal offal, seafood, beer, etc. A high-purine diet will increase the excretion of uric acid in urine and promote the formation of uric acid stones. Choose low-purine foods, such as milk, eggs, most vegetables and fruits.

Dietary adjustments for kidney stones require long-term persistence, combined with moderate exercise and regular check-ups, to effectively prevent and control the recurrence of stones. If you experience severe low back pain, hematuria and other symptoms, you should seek medical attention in a timely manner and choose medication, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgical treatment according to the type and size of the stone.