Kidney Stones

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However, don’t load up on calcium supplements – you might actually increase your risk of calcium-based kidney stones. Natural sources of calcium include skimmed milk, butter milk (lassi), broccoli, peanuts, rajmah, kabli chana, sardines, figs.

(iii)    Potassium – High potassium intake could cut your risk of kidney stones by half as this mineral reduces the amount of calcium in your urine. Potassium helps the kidneys retain calcium in the bones and blood stream, instead of driving it into the urine to form stone crystals. Practically all fruits and vegetables contain potassium especially bananas, avocados, figs, broccoli, beans, cauliflower and potatoes.

(iv)    Vitamin B6 and Magnesium – Recent evidence has appeared to link vitamin B6 and magnesium deficiency with some kidney stones. Vitamin B6 helps control the body’s production of oxalic acid and increases oxalate excretion. Magnesium helps increase the solubility of oxalates in the urine. Both factors are important in preventing calcium oxalate stones, which are by far the most common. Good sources of vitamin B6 include wheat bran, wheat germ, oats, meat, poultry, eggs, avocado, bananas, brown rice, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, molasses. Foods rich in magnesium include fish, milk, yoghurt, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, avocado, wheat, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, seeds, peanuts, almonds, tofu.

(v)     Plant Protein – A high intake of animal protein may be to blame for a higher incidence of kidney stones in Western countries. Animal protein is also a major source of purines, which can increase the risk of uric acid stones. Better solution is to get your protein from plant sources. Plant-based proteins are easy to breakdown in the body, but they are incomplete proteins individually. To create a complete protein from plant sources, combine foods from at least two of the following three groups at a single meal:

          Legumes including dry beans, peas, soyabeans, tofu, peanut butter

Grains including wholegrains (barley, oats, rice, wheat, rye), corn, pasta

Nuts, Seeds including almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.

(vi)    Citric Acid – If you are drinking glass after glass of water to help avoid kidney stones, fill one up with some lemon juice. A high level of urinary citrate may lower your risk of kidney stones. Not just any citrus juice will do! Lemon juice has about 5 times more citric acid than orange juice. And studies have found that drinking grapefruit juice may actually increase your risk of kidney stones.

Home Remedies for Kidney Stone Patients

18.     The following remedies may help remove small stones and/or stop their formation: