|
|
|
February
2002
Diet
for Prevention of Kidney Stones
To prevent the recurrence of kidney stones, doctors often recommend changes
in diet. For instance, reducing calcium intake seems to make sense. Kidney
stones frequently occur from a build up of calcium oxalate (calcium combined
with the mineral oxalate). Or doctors may prescribe a diet that maintains
a normal calcium intake but limits the amount of salt and animal protein.
Research shows both salt and animal protein influence the amount of calcium
excreted by the body, and a high level of calcium excretion is a risk
factor for the formation of stones. But which of the diets is more effective
over the long-term was unknown.
Recently, researchers conducted a study to compare the benefits of the
two diets on the recurrence of kidney stones and calcium levels in the
urine. Sixty men with histories of kidney stones and high calcium levels
in their urine were randomly assigned to each diet for five years. Men
on both diets drank plenty of water — a mainstay of kidney stone
prevention. The study participants were evaluated annually for signs of
kidney stone formation and urine calcium and oxalate levels.
Over the five years of the study, the risk of recurrence of stones was
50% less for men on the normal calcium, low salt, and low animal protein
diet compared to men on the low-calcium diet. Both diets significantly
reduced the amount of calcium excreted. But the low calcium diet actually
increased the amount of oxalate passed through the kidney into the urine.
If you suffer from recurrent kidney stones and a high urinary calcium
level, you should talk with your doctor about beginning a normal calcium,
low salt, and low animal protein diet. This diet appears to be the most
effective at preventing the condition.
February 2002 Update
Back
to Top
|
