Kidney stones are a result of a build up of minerals, and salt in your urine which includes calcium and uric acid which form solid masses through crystallization. In most cases, this can be addressed by drinking enough water.
Acidity and Alkalinity
There are also cases when the urine is too acidic or too alkaline, which is usually caused by taking medications. This can also result in the formation of kidney stones.
Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are made up of various crystal types. The majority of these crystals contain calcium. Determining the major ingredient of these crystals help you determine the type of kidney stones you are dealing with. One of the most kidney stones are calcium oxalate stones. Around 75% of the cases are caused by these stones.
Oxalate in Foods
Oxalate is actually found in some fruits and vegetables. You shouldn’t worry about this because your body actually gets more of this from your liver. There’s no need for you to be anxious about eating certain fruits and veggies, since the amount of oxalate present in them is not significant.
Avoiding Calcium
Considering the fact that calcium oxalate stones are primarily composed of calcium, it is easy to believe that reducing calcium intake will help prevent and eliminate the formation of this type of kidney stones. However, calcium is actually necessary to help get rid of oxalate. They help you by bonding themselves with oxalate, which makes it possible for your body to get rid of them through your urine. Assuming that your body is getting the right amount of calcium, you won't need to reduce your calcium intake.
Avoid Oxalate
Instead of reducing the intake of calcium, you should focus on reducing the oxalate in your body. To do that, you have to reduce your consumption of foods that are high in oxalate. These foods include the following:
Oranges.
Rhubarb.
Soda (cola).
Soy beans.
Beans.
Beer.
Spinach.
Sweet potatoes.
Tea (black).
Tofu.
Wheat bran.
Beets.
Berries.
Chocolate.
Coffee.
Cranberries.
Spinach.
Nuts.
Soy milk.
Sufficient Liquid Intake
Assuming that you are not on any medication that might increase the chance of forming kidney stones, the immediate way to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones is to make sure you are drinking enough water. Generally speaking, you should drink around 8 glasses of water in a day. Drinking water alone can aid in preventing the formation of solid masses in the kidneys and also get rid of small kidney stones.
You can think about the way it works by picturing a small mass of table salt. The only way to break it down inside a container is by diluting it in water.
