Foods that Cause Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are crystallized globules made up of either phosphate or oxalate combined with calcium. These are contained within certain foods that people ingest, causing one to have an overabundance of these chemicals within them. When these stones form, they make their way through the urinary tract, passing through the body, without the person really knowing. Pain starts either around the groin area, or the abdomen, with blood spotting in the urine at times, known as 'hematuria'. This condition of having stones form inside the kidneys, is known as nephrolithiasis.

A stone called a 'struvite' is formed when an infection in the urinary tract takes place. Other kinds of stones that come about are uric acid in nature, and another which is a called a 'cystine' is a very rare stone occurrence. Stones present in any one area of the urinary tract is a condition labeled as urolithiasis, and those present in the ureters is ureterolithiasis. We now look into the foods that cause kidney stones to worsen, with ways on how to manage your diet during this time.

Diet Plan for Kidney Stones

There are many reasons as to what causes kidney stones, with dehydration and too much calcium/calcium oxalate/oxalate present in the body - the two major factors. In cases of hypercalciuria, which is the presence of highly concentrated calcium in urine, a well-planned diet has to be taken into consideration depending on how bad the problem is. Here we look into the ways on how you can manage your calcium and oxalate intake, following a diet plan of what to eat, and how much of it is all right to consume.

Calcium Control Plan
The body usually expels the presence of extra calcium in the body, which is then passed through one's waste. Sometimes the body cannot handle the overload of calcium, causing the body to absorb more than it can take, where the kidneys as well cannot handle the excess calcium. Therefore it is important to control your calcium intake, by following a diet plan that allows you to eat foods rich in calcium (in moderation) since this is an important compound that the body requires, for other functions.

Managing Sodium and Soluble Fiber Intake
Sodium, when decreased in one's body, worsens the condition of calcium oxalate, or calcium stones in the body. People need to avoid large doses of sugar, and cutting down on over consumption of sweet packaged products is a must. The ideal amount of sodium that is okay for the body to take is between 2300 - 3500 mg a day. Soluble fiber helps the body pass calcium through the intestines faster, avoiding the system from absorbing it. Insoluble fiber on the other hand, combines with the excess calcium, and passes through one's feces, avoiding it from passing through the kidneys.

Oxalate Reduction
The body, when experiencing too much oxalate presence, causes one to pass the excess through his/her urine. This is known as hyperoxaluria. When this happens, calcium oxalate/oxalate stones form. When there isn't enough of calcium in the body, its main function of absorbing excess oxalate is hampered. People with this problem have to reduce their oxalate intake, and slightly increase their calcium intake. One has to either eat a very less amount of it, or completely rid the food source (even those that contain vitamin C) that contains oxalate, to eliminate the extra.

List of Foods That Cause Kidney Stones

The foods to avoid with kidney stones, as you now know, will help you regulate your calcium and oxalate intake, depending on which problem you suffer from. Managing your diet is crucial at this point, in order to keep your condition at bay, and not fuel it.

Foods Rich in Calcium

• Waffles
• Mozzarella cheese
• American cheese
• Custard
• broccoli
• Oatmeal
• Vanilla ice cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Milk
• Buttermilk
• Gruyere cheese
• Blackstrap molasses
• Pudding
• Ricotta cheese
• Mac & cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Pizza

Foods Rich in Oxalate

• Swiss chard
• Beets
• Spinach
• Blackberries
• Nuts
• Eggplant
• Beans
• Dark leafy greens
• Black raspberries
• Fruit cake
• Carob powder
• Gooseberries
• Okra
• Beet greens
• Celery
• Wheat germ
• Rhubarb
• Parsley
• Leeks
• Legumes
• Coffee
• Soy
• Sweet potatoes
• Wheat bran
• Red currants
• White corn
• Squash
• Tea

The foods that cause kidney stones need to be eaten in moderation, even if you don't suffer from it yet. It is important to drink a lot of liquids, water to be specific, and anything with fresh juice content - this is the best way on how to get rid of kidney stones. It keeps the body hydrated, with unnecessary toxins and excess elements, being washed out continuously. Have a healthy tomorrow.