Had Enough of Kidney Stones?
Staghorn Kidney Stone
Kidney Stones: Reducing Your Risk
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve experienced the pain and discomfort associated with a kidney stone—definitely not an experience you’d like to repeat. Unfortunately, kidney stones have a high recurrence rate. Research shows that up to 50% of individuals who form a kidney stone will develop another within one to five years if no preventive measures are taken (Rule et al., 2014). The good news is that several lifestyle and dietary changes can significantly reduce that risk.
Hydration: The Most Important Step
The most effective way to lower your risk of another kidney stone is adequate hydration. Increasing fluid intake helps dilute the urine, reducing the concentration of stone-forming minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid (Borghi et al., 1996).
A commonly recommended guideline is to drink approximately half your body weight in ounces of water per day, which typically equals 12–15 cups daily for most adults. While this may feel inconvenient, it is far less uncomfortable than passing another stone.
It is also advisable to limit sports drinks, energy drinks, and excessive caffeine intake, as these beverages may promote dehydration or alter urinary chemistry in ways that increase stone risk (Ferraro et al., 2014).
Dietary Choices and Kidney Stone Prevention
Diet plays a critical role in kidney stone formation and recurrence. Studies consistently show that certain dietary patterns influence urinary factors that promote stones (Taylor & Curhan, 2006).
To reduce your risk:
Limit sugary foods and high-fructose beverages, which have been linked to increased urinary calcium and oxalate levels (Taylor et al., 2013).
Reduce animal protein intake, as high consumption can increase urinary calcium and uric acid while lowering citrate, a natural inhibitor of stone formation (Curhan et al., 1993).
Increase fruits and vegetables, which provide potassium and alkali that help reduce urinary acidity.
Lower sodium intake, since excess salt increases calcium excretion in the urine and raises stone risk (Nouvenne et al., 2008).
Regular physical activity also supports metabolic health and may help reduce recurrence risk when combined with proper hydration and diet.
Supplements: Benefits and Cautions
Supplement use should be approached carefully, especially for individuals with a history of kidney stones.
High-dose vitamin C supplementation (≥500 mg per day) has been associated with increased urinary oxalate and a higher risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones (Thomas et al., 2013). For this reason, stone formers are generally advised to limit vitamin C supplementation.
Conversely, certain supplements may help lower stone risk when used appropriately:
Magnesium citrate and potassium citrate, which inhibit crystal formation and increase urinary citrate (Barceló et al., 1993).
Calcium, preferably from dietary sources or taken with meals, which can reduce intestinal oxalate absorption (Curhan et al., 1997).
Vitamin B6, which may reduce endogenous oxalate production (Massey et al., 2003).
Vitamin E, due to its antioxidant properties.
Catechins, found in green tea and green tea extract, which may inhibit kidney stone crystal growth (Itoh et al., 2005).
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplements.
A Smarter Multivitamin Option
With that in mind, Prevastone Inc. has formulated CERO Multi®...a vitamin C-free multivitamin designed by physicians. CERO Multi® provides just the right nutrients in the amounts needed to compliment your healthy food choices while removing certain others, like vitamin C…so you don’t get too much of a good thing.
References
Barceló, P., Wuhl, O., Servitge, E., Rousaud, A., & Pak, C. Y. C. (1993). Randomized double-blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. Journal of Urology, 150(6), 1761–1764.
Borghi, L., Meschi, T., Amato, F., Briganti, A., Novarini, A., & Giannini, A. (1996). Urinary volume, water and recurrences in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis: A 5-year randomized prospective study. Journal of Urology, 155(3), 839–843.
Curhan, G. C., Willett, W. C., Rimm, E. B., & Stampfer, M. J. (1993). A prospective study of dietary protein intake and the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. Annals of Internal Medicine, 128(7), 534–540.
Curhan, G. C., Willett, W. C., Speizer, F. E., Spiegelman, D., & Stampfer, M. J. (1997). Comparison of dietary calcium with supplemental calcium and other nutrients as factors affecting the risk for kidney stones in women. New England Journal of Medicine, 337(12), 834–841.
Ferraro, P. M., Taylor, E. N., Gambaro, G., & Curhan, G. C. (2014). Caffeine intake and the risk of kidney stones. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(6), 1596–1603.
Itoh, Y., Yasui, T., Okada, A., Tozawa, K., Hayashi, Y., Kohri, K., & Ogawa, Y. (2005). Preventive effects of green tea on renal stone formation. Urological Research, 33(2), 87–90.
Massey, L. K., Palmer, R. G., & Horner, H. T. (2003). Oxalate content of foods and its effect on humans. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 103(7), 901–906.
Nouvenne, A., Meschi, T., Prati, B., Guerra, A., Allegri, F., Vezzoli, G., & Borghi, L. (2008). Effects of a low-salt diet on idiopathic hypercalciuria in calcium-oxalate stone formers: A 3-month randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(3), 622–630.
Rule, A. D., Lieske, J. C., Li, X., Melton, L. J., Krambeck, A. E., & Bergstralh, E. J. (2014). The ROKS nomogram for predicting a second symptomatic stone episode. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 25(12), 2878–2886.
Taylor, E. N., & Curhan, G. C. (2006). Diet and fluid prescription in stone disease. Kidney International, 70(5), 835–839.
Taylor, E. N., Fung, T. T., & Curhan, G. C. (2013). DASH-style diet associates with reduced risk for kidney stones. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 8(10), 1737–1744.
Thomas, L. D. K., Elinder, C. G., Tiselius, H. G., Wolk, A., & Åkesson, A. (2013). Ascorbic acid supplements and kidney stone incidence among men: A prospective study. JAMA Internal Medicine, 173(5), 386–388.
