PP Dietary Management of kidney stones

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Salt

Eating too much salt can increase the risk of renal stone development as it increases the amount of calcium, which passes into the urine. Try to reduce your salt intake by –

 Using less salt in cooking and avoid adding salt at the table

Try flavouring your food with alternatives such as – pepper, herbs, spices, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic

Also try to limit the number of processed foods you consume as they contain high amounts of added salt.

This includes – tinned and packet soups, tinned meat and meat paste, smoked meat and fish, salted crisps and nuts.

Protein

Protein is an essential nutrient in all diets and is needed to keep the body healthy. However, most people in the UK eat more protein than the body actually needs. This may contribute to the recurrence of renal stones in susceptible people.

Try to avoid large portions of meat, eggs, cheese, milk and yoghurt. Aim to include 2-3 of the following each day –

75-100g meat, chicken or fish

2 eggs

250ml milk

30g cheese

 Small pot yoghurt

Remember do not avoid protein foods

Mr Iqbal Shergill

BSc (Hons), MRCS (Eng), FRCS (Urol)

Consultant Urological Surgeon

Mobile 07976 946282 Email uroemerge@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage www.shergillurology.com

Private Secretary Tel 01978 725855 ∙ Secretary Fax 01978 727149

Dietary Management of Kidney Stones

This information in this diet sheet is designed to help you understand more about diet and kidney stones and to provide practical advice about treating to reduce the risk of stones recurrence.

In most cases the cause of kidney stones is unknown. Factors such as family history of kidney stones, gender, infections, climate and medical history may contribute.

In some cases kidney stones may develop when waste chemicals such as calcium, oxalate and phosphate build up in the urine and form crystals. These crystals may then accumulate to form a small stone. Your doctor will advise you of the levels in your urine.

Making changes to your diet and ensuring you drink enough fluid may help reduce the risk of developing further kidney stones in the future.

Fluid

You are more likely to form stones if your urine is concentrated. It is essential that you drink plenty of fluids aiming for at least 2.5-3 litres (5-6 pints) everyday.

Avoid long periods without drinking fluids

Drink 1-2 glasses of fluid before bed

Aim to drink more in hot weather or when exercising

Good choices include – water, squash, herbal tea, fizzy drinks

Tea and coffee can be consumed in addition to your 2.5-3 litres/day.

Oxalate

If your kidney stones contain oxalate you will need to avoid oxalate rich foods to reduce the amount in your urine.

Oxalates are found in a variety of different foods. The following foods are high in oxalate –

Chocolate and foods containing chocolate

Cocoa, carob and ovaltine

Nuts and peanut better

 Strawberries, rhubarb, spinach, beetroot. leeks, celery, tomatoes

Tea (especially if brewed) limit to 2-3 cups of weak tea/day.

Calcium

Calcium is important to maintain healthy bones. A moderate to high intake of calcium (1000mg) is recommended to reduce oxalate in the urine. Dairy foods are the richest source of calcium although it can be found in other non-diary foods.

Aim to eat 2-3 portions of calcium foods daily, it is important to have the same amount of calcium everyday.

A portion is –

200ml glass of milk

Standard pot of yoghurt (150g)

Piece of cheese (30g)

Small pot cottage cheese

Small serving milk based pudding/custard

Tinned salmon with the bones

Foods such as oranges, green leafy vegetables, red kidney beads, baked beans, dried fruit and some breakfast cereals also contain calcium but in varying amounts

Vitamin D

Most people get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight.

Vitamins D supplements can increase the amount of calcium absorbed from the foods we eat. Which may increase the risk of developing a kidney stone.

Avoid taking vitamin D preparations including cod liver oil, fish oil, multivitamin and mineral preparations.

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