The Truth about Kidney Stones Diet
As the prevalence of kidney stones in the United States and around the world starts to increase it’s a wonder scientists still haven’t quite discovered the exact reasons why we get kidney stones.
Genetics and family history have been blamed but since the incidence of kidney stones has been increasing more over the past 50 years it seems unlikely that it’s hereditary.
The biggest likely culprit, one that scientists would like to point their fingers at but haven’t managed to prove is – the link between kidney stones and diet.
Click: Need help with your diet?
In ‘modern time’s and certainly over the last 50 years the incidence of kidney stones has been increasing the food we put into our bodies has dramatically changed.
In the U.S. for example, the number of people eating out of fast food restaurants has increased from 9.6% to 23.5%. Is modern food actually a ‘get kidney stone diet’?
Processed, packaged and mass produced we’re eating more salt (or sodium) in our diets which in excess is bad for our blood pressure, our kidneys and linked to kidney stones.
Fortunately we’re not all doomed and with a little dietary help we can reduce the likelihood of getting kidney stones, help shift existing kidney stones and prevent their recurrence.
Did you know that half of people with kidney stones will suffer again in the future and one in ten will suffer from recurrent kidney stones?
If you’ve had a stone you know it’s painful and a healthy kidney stone diet is essential – especially if you’ve suffered in the past.
Kidney Stone Diet Recommendations
First you must always speak, listen and talk to either your doctor or dietician – especially if you currently have renal problems.
Second – increase your fluid intake (water) to produce 2 – 3 litres of urine per day. It’s a lot but you’ll feel better, look better, (you might even lose a little weight) and your kidneys will thank you for it.
Third – start a low-sodium diet and do not exceed the recommended daily salt allowance. Keep away from processed foods (ketchup has seriously high levels of salt as do many so-called healthy breakfast cereals).
Fourth – watch your meat intake. Tests for kidney stones include the acidity of your urine and the protein from meat may be linked. Obviously you don’t have to cut protein from your diet – eat everything in moderation.
Fifth – eat a well balanced diet with real food. When you’re eating remind yourself “If it can go bad, it’s good. If it doesn’t go bad, it’s not good!” Tin, processed, preserved, dried – none of it goes bad but all of it is bad.
Finally there are many myths around kidney stones, one of which is the link between calcium and kidney stone diets. This probably started because calcium is one of the major components of kidney stones but more recently it’s believe you don’t need to restrict your dietary calcium intake, just make sure to consume it from natural resources.
Confused? You needed be if you just remember to drink more fluids, cut the salt from your diet and eat a well balanced diet.
Fortunately there is a handy kidney stone diet for sufferers of Kidney Stones and many other Kidney illnesses HERE.
Written by a renal nurse with real life experience working alongside doctors and seeing her patients improve and get better it’s a lot less painful that kidney stones.
To find out more and learn the diet secrets from a renal nurse – CLICK HERE
Of if you want tried and tested help to remove your Kidney Stone – CLICK HERE
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931286/
http://www.prodigy.clarity.co.uk/renal_colic_acute/management/scenario_management#-377657
http://www.uroweb.org/gls/pdf/18_Urolithiasis.pdf