“Preventing Kidney Stones: Tips for Adequate Fluid Intake, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Protein and Dairy Products”

PMJ NEWS –

Kidney stones that are not handled properly can cause pain and complications. Most recently, a video of kidney stones the size of a ginger rhizome removed from a 45-year-old woman has caught the attention of netizens.

If the size is small, kidney stones can actually be treated with pain medication. Another case if the size is large, you will end up on the operating table. Therefore, it is important for you to recognize and how to prevent it in order to avoid the risk of this disease.

As quoted from the Kidney page, Saturday (13/5/2023), here are ways to prevent kidney stones:

1. Adequate Fluid Intake
Prevention that can be done is to drink enough water. This will help keep your urine from becoming too concentrated with waste products.

Darker and more concentrated urine is a sign that the body is dehydrated. Your urine will appear very light yellow and clear if you are well hydrated.

2. Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
Eat more fruits and vegetables which make the urine less acidic. When the urine is less acidic, less stones may form.

What foods are high in salt? Everyone thinks of salty potato chips and french fries. Limit consumption. There are other products that are salty, namely sandwich meat, canned soup, packaged food, and even sports drinks.

3. Enough Protein Consumption
Try to get to normal weight if you are overweight. However, a high protein weight loss diet that includes high amounts of animal protein as well as a restrictive diet can increase your risk of developing kidney stones.

You need adequate protein, but it should be part of a balanced diet. Seek guidance from a registered dietitian when starting a weight loss diet or any dietary intervention to reduce your risk of kidney stones.

4. Consumption of Dairy Products
No need to worry about getting hit by “calcium” stones. Dairy products do contain calcium, but they actually help prevent kidney stones. This is because calcium binds to oxalate before it enters the kidneys.

People with the lowest dietary calcium intake have an increased risk of kidney stones. A stone can form from salt, protein waste products, and potassium.

The most common type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate stone. Most kidney stones form when oxalate, a byproduct of certain foods, combines with calcium when urine is made by the kidneys.