A risk factor is something that raises your chances of getting a health problem. Some of them, such as family history, cannot be changed. But, you can make changes to some eating habits to lower your risk of kidney stones. General steps include:
- Drink more water—Aim for 2 liters of water a day. Urine should be a clear or pale yellow in color.
- Eat a balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables, legumes, bran, and beans.
- Add fruits and juices high in citrate, such as berries or lemonade, to your diet.
- Limit foods high in purines such as red meat, shellfish, or organ meats.
- Limit foods high in oxalates such as sweet potatoes, cocoa, almonds, peanuts, or rhubarb.
- Do not have an excessive intake of vitamins C and D.
- Pair foods that are high in oxalates with calcium-rich foods or supplements. The calcium helps the body process the oxalates.
References
6 easy ways to prevent kidney stones. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones%5Fprevent. Accessed April 2, 2019.
Nephrolithiasis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114904/Nephrolithiasis-in-adults . Updated March 22, 2019. Accessed April 2, 2019.
Urinary calculi. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/urinary-calculi/urinary-calculi. Updated March 2018. Accessed April 2, 2019.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
- Review Date: 03/2019
- Update Date: 04/02/2019