Enriching diets with foods rich in calcium and potassium can prevent recurrent symptomatic kidney stones, according to a study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers.
A kidney stone is a solid piece, which it can form in one or both kidneys when there are high levels of certain minerals in the urine. These crystals that turn into stones can make their way through the urinary tract.
Most stones are produced when calcium combines with one of two substances: oxalate or phosphorous. Stones can also form from uric acid.
Mayo Clinic researchers designed a study to investigate the impact of dietary changes. They recruited 411 incident symptomatic kidney stone formers and a control group of 384 people.
Study analysis indicates that lower dietary intake of calcium, potassium, caffeine, phytate, and fluids was associated with a higher likelihood of an incident symptomatic kidney stone.
The study report concludes that, “enriching the diets of stone formers with foods rich in calcium and potassium may help prevent recurrent symptomatic kidney stones.”
Foods with potassium
The body needs potassium for nearly all of your function, including proper kidney and heart function.
The National Institutes of Health notes that adequate amounts of potassium can be obtained by eating a variety of foods.
Foods that provide potassium include fruits, such as dried apricots, prunes, raisins, orange juice, and bananas; vegetables, such as acorn squash, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli; lentils, kidney beans, soybeans and nuts; milk and yogurt; meat, poultry and fish.
Lentils and pumpkin are among the foods richest in potassium.
Foods rich in calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Calcium is found in a variety of foods, including: milk, yogurt and cheese are the main sources of calcium; sardines and salmon with bones; certain vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage.
For those with kidney stones, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends drinking plenty of water unless a health professional indicates otherwise.
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Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Calcium is found in a variety of foods, including: milk, yogurt and cheese are the main sources of calcium; sardines and salmon with bones; certain vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage.
For those with kidney stones, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends drinking plenty of water unless a health professional indicates otherwise.
You may be interested in:
–Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of kidney damage 411 –How Lemon Juice Helps Prevent and Eliminate Kidney Stones
–Food and Drink that are bad for your kidneys