One of the most excruciating things you'll ever go through is passing a kidney stone, according to those who have experienced it. Calcium, oxalate, and uric acid are some of the minerals that can cause kidney stones to form in your urinary tract. You don't have to use medicine to prevent kidney stones! If you want to avoid kidney stones naturally, here are four simple steps:
1. Maintain adequate hydration
One of the most effective natural strategies to prevent kidney stones is to stay hydrated at all times! Water is the best option, however, lemonade and orange juice are also acceptable beverages. When you do not drink enough water, you have low urine production. Because your urine is more concentrated, it is less likely to dissolve urinary salts that create stones. A simple way to determine if you are well hydrated is to examine the color of your urine and ensure that it is clear or pale yellow; if it is not, you should drink more! Consume at least eight glasses of liquids per day, but add more if you move or sweat frequently.
2. Consume Less Sodium
If you consume a lot of salt in your current diet, this can raise your risk of developing calcium kidney stones. This is because an excess of salt in the urine inhibits calcium resorption from the urine into the blood, resulting in elevated urine calcium and the possibility of kidney stones. As a result, by consuming less salt, you can maintain a healthy quantity of calcium in your urine. Sodium-containing foods include canned soups, canned vegetables, processed foods, lunch meat, and sauces; therefore, attempt to limit or remove these foods from your diet. If you prefer to flavor your dish without adding salt, try using fresh herbs instead.
3. Consume More Calcium-Rich Foods
Because the most frequent type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate, you may believe you should limit calcium in your diet, but calcium-deficient diets actually increase your risk of kidney stones! Choose calcium-rich foods such as low-fat yogurt, low-fat milk, and low-fat cheese.
4. Limit Your Consumption of Foods High in Oxalate
Some kidney stones are composed of oxalate, a naturally occurring chemical in meals that combines with calcium in the urine. Due to the fact that these materials combine in your digestive tract before reaching your kidneys, you can prevent the formation of kidney stones by limiting your consumption of oxalate-rich meals. Peanuts, chocolate, spinach, sweet potatoes, coffee, rhubarb, and soy products are all high in oxalates.
While there is no certain way to prevent kidney stones, following food and lifestyle modifications can help lessen your risk.
