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What Makes Kidney Stone Reappear And How You Can Prevent That – New Study Reveals

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Kidney stones can cause terrible pain and are also linked to long-term kidney disease, osteoporosis, and heart disease. If you’ve had a kidney stone before, there’s a 30% chance you’ll get another one in the next five years.

Prescriptions for dietary modifications are common for the prevention of recurring episodes of kidney stone symptoms. However, there is limited evidence on dietary adjustments for people with a single kidney stone versus those with recurrent kidney stones.

Using a prospective approach, Mayo Clinic researchers studied the effects of dietary changes. Their research demonstrates that adding foods high in calcium and potassium to the diet can help prevent kidney stones from developing again.

A questionnaire given to 411 patients who had first-time symptoms of kidney stones and a control group of 384 people, all of whom had visited Mayo Clinics in Rochester and Florida between 2009 and 2018, was used to determine dietary factors.

The results, which were reported in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, demonstrate that lower dietary intakes of calcium and potassium, as well as hydration, caffeine, and phytate intake, are linked to higher risks of developing a kidney stone for the first time.

Within a median of 4.1 years of follow-up among the patients who had stones for the first time, 73 of them developed stones again. Lower dietary calcium and potassium levels were found to be predictive of recurrence in further study.

“These dietary findings may have particular importance,” highlights Andrew Rule, senior author of the study, “because recommendations for preventing kidney stones have been based primarily on dietary factors associated with first-time rather than recurrent stone formation. 

“Patients may not be likely to adjust their diet to prevent an incidence of kidney stones, but they are more likely to do so if it can help prevent recurrence.”

According to the study, a daily fluid intake of less than 3,400 milliliters, or around nine 12-ounce glasses, is linked to the creation of new stones, along with coffee and phytate consumption. Drinking water each day also includes eating things like fruits and vegetables.

Low fluid and caffeine consumption can result in decreased urine volume and increased urine concentration, which can contribute to stone development. Whole grains, nuts, and other foods include phytate, an antioxidant molecule that can increase urine calcium excretion and calcium absorption.

“Changing your diet to prevent kidney stones can be very difficult,” adds Dr. Rule. “Thus, knowing the dietary factors that are most important for preventing kidney stone recurrence can help patients and providers know what to prioritize.”

According to Api Chewcharat, M.D., the first author of the paper, low dietary calcium and potassium was a more significant predictor of recurrent kidney stone formation than fluid intake. 

According to Api Chewcharat, M.D., the first author of the paper, low dietary calcium and potassium was a more significant predictor of recurrent kidney stone formation than fluid intake. 

The study’s findings suggest that diets containing 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day may aid in the prevention of both new kidney stones and recurring kidney stones. The daily recommended nutrition from the Department of Agriculture is consistent with that intake.

While increased potassium intake is advised, the USDA does not prescribe a daily potassium intake. The study did not specify a recommended intake level either.

The lesson learned, according to Dr. Chewcharat, is that patients should increase their intake of calcium- and potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. Bananas, oranges, grapefruits, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, and apricots are among fruits that are high in potassium. Potatoes, mushrooms, peas, cucumbers, and zucchini are examples of vegetables.

Image Credit: Getty

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