How To Prevent Kidney Stones
You can help prevent kidney stone formation by avoiding high levels of calcium and uric acid in urine. Here's how:
1) Drink plenty of fluids. This will help prevent dehydration and flush substances that form stones out of the kidneys and urinary tract. Drink 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) a day. Drinking alcohol only affects stone formation by causing dehydration since it has a diuretic effect. Alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation if the drinker is careful to maintain hydration. The amount of oxalates in black tea is small. So, tea can be enjoyed in moderation also. Studies have shown that coffee may help reduce the incidence of stone formation, despite having caffeine, which is a natural diuretic and may increase urinary calcium excretion.
2) Eat 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day. This is important because in the gut, calcium binds oxalate, a bitter component found in some plants. This helps decrease the amount of oxalate that is absorbed. When less oxalate is absorbed, less is excreted in the urine and fewer calcium oxalate stones can form. Oxalate promotes stone formation in the urine about 15 times more frequently than calcium. Some good sources of calcium include low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese. Other good sources of calcium include calcium-fortified orange juice, calcium-fortified soy milk, tofu, broccoli, sardines, collard greens, almonds and black beans.
3) Limit oxalate intake to 40 to 50 milligrams a day. It's not clear how much oxalate from food the body absorbs, or even how accurately we can measure oxalate levels in food. Nevertheless, avoid the following foods, some of which have more than 10 milligrams of oxalates per 3.5 ounce serving: Most types of beans, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, berries, chocolate, rhubarb stalks, most soy products, star fruit and black pepper (over 1 teaspoon). It's especially important that individuals whose urine contains a high level of urinary oxalate avoid these foods. For more information see the Harvard School of Public Health's resources on low-oxalate foods.
4) Limit animal protein (dairy products, eggs, meats, poultry and fish) intake since it can increase the acidity of the blood. The body metabolizes animal protein by pulling calcium from the bones to buffer the acidity. The excess calcium eventually ends up in the urine at a higher concentration, which can make it easier for oxalate stones to form.
1) Drink plenty of fluids. This will help prevent dehydration and flush substances that form stones out of the kidneys and urinary tract. Drink 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) a day. Drinking alcohol only affects stone formation by causing dehydration since it has a diuretic effect. Alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation if the drinker is careful to maintain hydration. The amount of oxalates in black tea is small. So, tea can be enjoyed in moderation also. Studies have shown that coffee may help reduce the incidence of stone formation, despite having caffeine, which is a natural diuretic and may increase urinary calcium excretion.
2) Eat 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day. This is important because in the gut, calcium binds oxalate, a bitter component found in some plants. This helps decrease the amount of oxalate that is absorbed. When less oxalate is absorbed, less is excreted in the urine and fewer calcium oxalate stones can form. Oxalate promotes stone formation in the urine about 15 times more frequently than calcium. Some good sources of calcium include low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese. Other good sources of calcium include calcium-fortified orange juice, calcium-fortified soy milk, tofu, broccoli, sardines, collard greens, almonds and black beans.
3) Limit oxalate intake to 40 to 50 milligrams a day. It's not clear how much oxalate from food the body absorbs, or even how accurately we can measure oxalate levels in food. Nevertheless, avoid the following foods, some of which have more than 10 milligrams of oxalates per 3.5 ounce serving: Most types of beans, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, berries, chocolate, rhubarb stalks, most soy products, star fruit and black pepper (over 1 teaspoon). It's especially important that individuals whose urine contains a high level of urinary oxalate avoid these foods. For more information see the Harvard School of Public Health's resources on low-oxalate foods.
4) Limit animal protein (dairy products, eggs, meats, poultry and fish) intake since it can increase the acidity of the blood. The body metabolizes animal protein by pulling calcium from the bones to buffer the acidity. The excess calcium eventually ends up in the urine at a higher concentration, which can make it easier for oxalate stones to form.
posted by bloggerking at 1:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home