Diet for kidney stone symptoms:

Diet for renal calculi.

Renal calculi are also called as kidney stones.



These calculi are formed inside the kidneys or bladder. Calculi are formed when solid concentration of dissolved minerals is present in the urine. Most stones are composed of two components; a crystalline phase which is about 97% and an organic matrix which is about 3%.The majority of calculi are made up of the following components: a) Calcium oxalate monohydrate, b) calcium oxalate dihydrate c) calcium phosphate d) uric acid or urate.The urinary stones are of mixed type.



Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate either singly or in combination account for the greater part of mineral phase. In 75 percent of calculi, calcium oxalate is the predominant component. 

The symptoms of kidney stones include pain, abdominal distention, pus in the urine, minor damage to the kidney or urethra leading to presence of blood in the urine, obstruction of the bladder or urethra by the stones resulting in reduced urinary volume, burning sensation while urinating and passing of stones, nausea and vomiting and fever and chills.

Numerous dietary factors have been implicated in the etiology of kidney stones. These include mineral imbalances like high intake of calcium and sodium, high as well as suboptimal intake of phosphate, low intake of magnesium, excessive dietary oxalate, excess intake of animal proteins, purine rich foods, high intake of refined carbohydrates, high fat diets, low intake of dietary fibre, deficiencies of pyridoxine, thiamin and Vitamin A, excess of Vitamins C and D and excessive fluoride and silicate.

Certain dietary measures that can be considered for renal calculi are:

1. Increase the fluid intake: This is the most important measure to be considered.
   
   
   
   Intake of water is necessary to increase the urine output as well as dilute the urine so that the formation of stones is hindered. Drink 8 to 10 oz of water every hour and increase the intake during summer season.
2. Calcium: Calcium is necessary for the body for various functions. Calcium is generally absorbed very efficiently in the intestine. Limiting calcium is necessary, neither too high nor too low. In men, the calcium intake can be brought to 800 mg per day and in women the calcium intake should be 1000 mg per day. Consult your doctor before taking any medications or supplements if you are on a calcium controlled diet.
3. Oxalate: It is necessary to limit the oxalate intake. The intake of oxalate should not be more than 50 mg per day. Limit oxalate rich foods like rhubarb, chocolates, nuts, beets, tea and wheat bran.
4. Reduce the intake of high amount of sodium in the diet. When sodium in the diet is reduced, it also reduces the appearance of calcium in the urine.
   
   
   
   Hence limit the intake of sodium to 2300 to 3500 mg per day.
5. Have fiber rich foods. Fiber tends to combine with calcium present in the intestine and allow it to be removed through the stools rather than through the urine. Fiber tends to speed up the movement of nutrients in the intestine and doesn’t allow calcium to remain in the intestine for longer period of time for getting absorbed.
6. Reduce the intake of Vitamin C rich foods. Utilization of Vitamin C leads to production of oxalate.