Nephrolithiasis is a disease characterized by the presence and creating sand, pebbles or stones in the kidneys. Kidney stones are formed from certain substances (calcium, oxalate, phosphate), which are present in the urine with concentrations higher than the limits. Several factors are associated with the occurrence of nephrolithiasis as poor nutrition, obesity, genetic predisposition, decreased fluid intake, etc.
Poor nutrition affects at the formation of kidney stones, so some food items may increase or reduce the risk of creating kidney calculus.
Types of kidney stones
In order to successfully prevent nephrolithiasis, it is important based on the chemical composition to determine what type of renal stone we are dealing with.
There are four major groups of stones in the kidney:
Calcium stones – This group of kidney stones is the most typical and consists of two subtypes: Calcium oxalate stones, that are more common and calcium phosphate stones. There are various causes of calcium oxalate stones as low pH urine, high levels of calcium and / or oxalate in urine. Calcium phosphate stones typically occur due to increased concentration of calcium in the urine and increased pH of the urine (alkaline urine).
Struvite kidney stones – These stones usually occur as a result of infection of the urinary tract.
Uric acid stones – Arise because of pH value of urine is decreased, or the increased concentration of uric acid in the urine.
Cystine stones – This type is very rare and occurs in cystinuria. It is autosomal recessive disorder characterized by insoluble of cystine (neutral amino acid) in the urine.
DIET by the type of kidney stones
- Calcium stones
Reduction of sodium – To control the amount of sodium daily, you need prior consumption of particular products, and finding information about its nutritional values. Avoid consumption of products containing high levels of sodium as hot dogs, fast food, canned food, frozen processed food, meat products such as salami, tea, bacon and more.
Also, beware of substances that may contain “hidden sodium” as sodium bicarbonate, sodium alginate, sodium nitrate or nitrite, monosodium glutamate and others
- Reduction of animal protein – it is thought that the proteins of animal origin increased the risk of creating calcium stones because of the influence the excretion of calcium and citrate (inhibitors of calcium oxalate system and prevent the creation of calcium stones) in urine
- Avoiding foods high in oxalates – Some of the oxalates that are excreted in the urine are produced in the body, but there are certain products that have high concentrations of oxalate, and their consumption increases the levels of oxalate in the urine. These include spinach, black tea, cola, chocolate, nuts, coffee and more.
- Receive adequate amount of calcium – Calcium that is inserted into the body through diet in normal quantities is considered that increases the risk of creating calcium oxalate stones. Attention! If you are taking calcium supplements you should be careful, because it can increase the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones, especially if you do not take supplements during the meal.
- Struvite stones
- Because this type of stone is present due to kidney infection, the treatment consists of removing the already present stones in the urinary system and treat infection. So far, it has been medically proven that a diet can prevent the occurrence of struvite stones.
- Stones from uric acid
- Reducing the intake of purines: eggs, meat, fish, and especially animal offal (kidneys, liver, brain), which contain purines and in the body are decomposed as the product gets uric acid, which is excreted in the urine. The increased concentration of uric acid is a requirement for the formation of the eponymous type of kidney stones. These patients are advised to avoid meat products and protein from foods like dairy products, soybeans, lentils, tofu. If you consume meat it should not be greater amount of 170 grams per day.
4. Cystine stones
- For the treatment of this condition requires a specific therapy that involves the consumption of large amounts of fluids and alkalinization of the urine.
Additional tips:
If you previously had problems with kidney stones, it is necessary to enter daily at least 2 liters of water.
Citrus drinks like lemonade, fresh orange juice, prevent the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones due to citrate which include, but may have a counter effect in case of calcium phosphate stones.
Consumption of tea and coffee is allowed in moderation, unless it comes to calcium oxalate stones.