Recommendations to avoid or eliminate kidney stones

1. DRINK YOUR WATER!! It’s recommended to drink 2.5 liters of liquid per day. This liquid includes preferably water, but it also includes broths, soups, infusions and juices. 2. Maintain your weight and % of fat in the limits!! (Body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9). Many studies show that overweight and obesity increase the risk to develop renal calculi. 3. CONTROL THE SALT INTAKE: It is recommended less than 2400mg of sodium (6 gr of salt) per day, remember all we talked about the salt a while ago. Some of the foods high in sodium are: canned and packed products, ready to go sauces, table salt, marinated and smoked meats, and sodas among others. 4. LIMIT YOUR DAILY PROTEIN (egg, meat, fish, cheese, shellfish) 0.8-1 gr of protein per weight kilo per day. Protein increase risk of nephrolithiasis (condition in which the stones are present in the pelvis, renal calyces or the ureters) and calcium loss by the urine. 5. LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: It increases uric acid, calcium, phosphate and magnesium in the urine. 6. Depending on the type of calculus the solute of the diet must be ELIMINATED. For example: If you have calcium calculi eliminate CALCIUM of the diet. Calcium: Ingest less than 400mg of calcium per day and less than 1000mg of phosphate. Foods rich in calcium: dairy, broccoli, soy, almonds, spinach. Rich in phosphorus: dairy, fish, egg, nuts, etc… Oxalate: Reduce foods with oxalic acid. E.g., spinach, eggplants, peanuts, cucumber, grapes, tomatoes, potatoes, etc… Uric acid: Avoid foods with high content of purines: soy seeds, meats (pork, livestock), cold cuts and viscera (kidney, liver), fishes (trout, tuna, sardines, and anchovies), pates, alcoholic beverages, and whole wheat cereals. Cystine: Avoid foods with methionine source: dairy, eggs, meat, fish.