Kidney Stones Are Painful
The most common symptom of a kidney stone is a sudden sharp pain felt in the back and side or lower abdomen. Nausea and vomiting may sometimes occur. The sharp pain is caused when the stone moves into the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine.
There are several types of kidney stones, but the most common is made up of calcium oxalate. The pain of a kidney stone is considered excruciating. If you have ever had one, I’m sure you do not want to ever have another.
Eight Steps to Prevent the Formation of Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones:
1.) Significantly reduce (or eliminate) the amount of animal protein you eat. Consumption of animal protein has been linked to an increased risk of forming stones. To have a healthy body and good muscle tone all you need are 20-30 grams of protein/day which you can easily obtain from beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
2.) Eat more potassium and magnesium- rich foods. Magnesium and potassium are found in fruits and vegetables including potatoes, oranges, beet greens, white beans, pinto beans, dates, raisins, bananas, watermelon, Swiss chard, rye, oats and quinoa.
3.) Increase your fiber consumption. In one study the risk of forming kidney stones was significantly reduced simply by adding one-half ounce of rice bran to the daily diet. Fiber is found in plant foods so by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains you will be adding fiber to your diet.
4.) Reduce your intake of sugar. Some people who produce kidney stones are reported to process sugar abnormally.
5.) Limit your intake of oxalate forming foods. Foods such as spinach, rhubarb, beet greens, chocolate, tea, bran, almonds, peanuts and strawberries should be eaten infrequently.
6.) Avoid soft drinks. The phosphoric acid found in some sodas is thought to affect the calcium metabolism which may increase kidney stone recurrence.
7.) Get more antioxidants in your diet. Kidney stone formation can be initiated by free radicals. Antioxidants, the free-radical fighter, are found in all plant foods, but most especially in small red beans, blueberries, red kidney beans, pinto beans, cranberries, artichokes, blackberries, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, Red Delicious apples, Granny Smith apples, pecans, sweet cherries, black plums, russet potatoes, black beans and Gala apples.
8.) Drink plenty of water. Water can help dilute the substances in the urine that form kidney stones.
©2012Melinda Coker
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