10 Ways to Prevent Kidney Stones from Forming

by Rahul Singh Content Writer

Kidney stones are solid deposits of minerals and salts that have crystallized together in the kidneys. In India, it is believed that around 12% of the population suffers from kidney stones, which considering India’s population is a whopping 15.8 Crore people. Although nephrologists in Gurgaon say that the reason for the occurrence of kidney stones is not clear, dehydration or lack of fluids is the most likely culprit. A kidney specialist in Gurgaon, who work at the best kidney hospital in Delhi NCR say that there are, however, certain steps one can take to prevent kidney stones from forming. This article is all about these steps. Read on to know them.

Stay hydrated

When urine contains more fluid, it is less likely that minerals and salts will clump together and begin to form stones. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration. Ideally, urine should appear faint yellow. Aim to drink 8-12 glasses of water a day.

Reduce Salt Intake

The sodium in salt causes water retention and leads to dehydration. Aim to keep your salt intake less than 2000 mg a day, or the equivalent of 1tsp of table salt a day. Stay away from high-salt foods such as deli or smoked meats, most packaged or prepared meals, potato chips, most canned soups, most ready-to-make noodle or side dishes andfoods that contain other types of sodium.

Maintain a healthy body weight

Being overweight can put stress on the kidneys. Lose weight in a healthy way. Avoid crash dieting or low-carb diets.

Reduce alcohol intake

Alcohol causes cells to increase fluid output while preventing fluid absorption, leading to dehydration.

Avoid too much caffeine

Caffeine speeds up metabolism and can cause dehydration. The recommended upper limit for adults is 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee. Try to keep your caffeine intake within this limit.

Avoid sugary drinks

Sweetened drinks, especially those containing high-fructose corn syrup, have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Get enough dietary calcium

Dairy products are a good source of calcium. Calcium found in food actually helps reduce the risk of stones (unlike calcium oxalate which increases the chances of kidney stone formation).

Increase citric acid intake

Citric acid prevents the formation of kidney stones. About 60 percent of individuals with kidney stones also have hypocitraturia or low citric acid levels. Go for lemon, lime, orange, melon or mango juice.

Control intake of highly-acidic foods

Highly acidic urine can increase the risk of kidney stones and make passing the stones more painful. Limit your intake of highly acidic foods like red meat and pork, poultry, most types of fish, most cheeses and eggs.

Take supplements and vitamins

Vitamins and supplements like potassium citrate, vitamin B-6, which is found in foods such as bananas, mangos, soybeans, avocados, and halibut, pyridoxine supplements and fish oil can help prevent kidney stones.