5 Things You Can Do To Help Prevent Kidney Stones

Do you have a history of kidney stones? You don’t need us to tell you: they’re excruciatingly painful. While advancements in medical technology have made treating complex cases more effective than ever, the best way to manage kidney stones is to avoid them altogether.

At Path MD in Los Angeles, California, we offer advanced kidney stone analysis and work with patients and their providers to develop more effective treatment plans. Adopting preventive measures can help spare you from future agony, and here are five simple yet effective strategies to lower your risk of developing kidney stones.

1. Stay hydrated

Kidney stones form when minerals build up in your kidneys. Drinking plenty of water every day lowers your risk of kidney stones because it dilutes minerals and helps flush excess from your system.

Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If you live in a hot climate or engage in strenuous physical activity, make sure you increase your intake accordingly.

2. Eat a balanced diet

Eating a balanced diet is the best way to give your body all the nutrients it needs. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoid high-fat, high-salt, and highly processed foods.

If you’re prone to kidney stones, you should avoid eating a lot of foods high in oxalates, including spinach, chocolate, nuts, and tea, because oxalates can cause stones to form. On the other hand, high-calcium foods — like yogurt and other dairy products — can bind to oxalates in your digestive tract and reduce oxalate absorption to lower your risk of kidney stones.

3. Watch your sodium intake

Too much sodium (salt) in your diet can increase the amount of calcium your kidneys excrete in your urine, contributing to kidney stone formation. Processed foods are often high in sodium, so be mindful of what you eat and opt for fresh, whole foods whenever possible.

4. Limit animal protein

Eating a diet high in red meat, poultry, and fish proteins can increase uric acid and calcium in your urine and make you more susceptible to kidney stones. Reducing your intake of animal protein can benefit your kidney health, so consider replacing it with plant-based alternatives like beans, lentils, and tofu.

5. Monitor your weight

Keeping an eye on your weight can help you prevent kidney stones. Excess body weight can cause metabolism imbalances, including increased levels of insulin and uric acid, which can contribute to kidney stones.

Losing weight if you’re overweight and maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can significantly reduce your risk of kidney stones and improve your overall well-being.

Prevention is key when it comes to kidney stones. You can do a lot to lower your risk of recurrence, and our team at Path MD is here to help. Learn more about advanced kidney stone analysis and how it might fit into your health care plan by calling us at 424-245-7284 or sending us a message online.