Kidney Stones - and how to avoid them

[Keithcaley]

Yet another friend succumbed recently to Kidney stones, so I had a quick look at suggestions to minimise the recurrence of Kidney stones, and realised that it does depend on what type of stones you are prone to (it varies somewhat with each individual's metabolism).

However, given that Oxalic acid stones seem to be the most common, the following applies: -

Ensure that diet includes adequate amounts of Potassium (although generally avoid Potassium supplements, unless prescribed). Suitable foods: - http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga ... endixb.htm - A banana a day, keeps the (kidney) doctor away - although an apple may not!

Ensure adequate intake of Magnesium in diet - Suitable foods: - https://www.healthaliciousness.com/arti ... nesium.php

Ensure diet is high in Citrates - self explanatory, that one!

You could combine the above two in a Magnesium Citrate Supplement, if you don't like All Bran, etc...

Avoid Phosphoric acid - present in most Cola drinks - Diet lemonade will probably fit the bill, while having the advantage of high citrate levels, but do check the label!

Avoid Vitamin C supplements (Ascorbic acid) unless prescribed. Dietary Vitamin C is essential for normal health, so don't give anything up!

Avoid drinking large amounts of Tea - coffee seems to be O.K. & a cup of tea each day isn't going to kill you,

Drink at least 3 Litres of water a day.

Avoid excessive amounts of red meat - not a problem for most - it doesn't say "don't eat any", just don't go mad.

Binge drinking, or rather the resultant dehydration, can raise the concentration of unwanted substances in the urinary system, and increase the risk of Kidney stones developing.

As always, some people seem to be able to eat and drink whatever they like without coming to harm - we're all different...

And a sufferer was one advised, in my presence, to get a job driving a Tractor! - Apparently the vibration keeps things 'jiggling about' and increases the likelhood that any Crystals that form will be flushed away before they become a nucleus for a Kidney stone.

[JBA]

I had an ultrasound scan about 4 years ago and they detected some small (don't worry about them) kidney stones. The doctor said that everybody in Cyprus has some because the water is so hard - the only way to avoid it is put even bottled water through a suitable filter (Brita or similar).

As to tractor driving - maybe you won't have kidney stones but you won't have working hips either.

[Keithcaley]

...As to tractor driving - maybe you won't have kidney stones but you won't have working hips either.

I wish that you'd been there at the time! - We would have had a suitable ripost!