There are several types of kidney stones. The most common are calcium stones, usually formed from calcium oxalate, found in several different types of food and secreted by the liver. Calcium phosphate stones also occur; they form when phosphate levels rise.
Struvite stones are usually caused by a urinary tract infection. They can appear rapidly and get quite large, often with little notice. Uric acid stones can develop if you do not ingest enough fluids, eat a high-protein diet, have the condition known as gout or are genetically predisposed to develop them.
Cystine stones are caused by a hereditary disease that causes the kidneys to leech cystinuria, a kind of amino acid.
Although there is no official statistics on the number of Americans who get kidney stones, the New York Times reported that adults are getting them at much earlier ages than previous generations.
It’s not unusual now for 20-somethings to report the complaint, unlike the past. The Times reported that about 12 percent of men and 7 percent of women may get the stones at some point in their lives. There is speculation that the rapid appearance of the disease may be linked to rising levels of obesity, which point to diets that are growing ever richer in foods that support stone formation.
HARD TO PINPOINT
Who gets kidney stones? As with many diseases, medical professionals aren’t quite sure about pinpointing a single cause. Most ascribe it to a variety of diet, lifestyle, hereditary and genetic factors that may induce stone formation.
Among the likely potential causes:
Family or personal history: If Mom, Dad or Uncle Bill has a history of kidney stones, it makes it more likely that you will develop them at some point, thanks to the genetic codes being passed along. If you have already experienced one attack, it’s likely that the kidney stones may make a return appearance, given that your body is already a fertile breeding ground.
Dehydration – Water does more than relieve thirst. It also flushes your body of impurities that are then secreted through urine. If you’re not drinking enough water each day, you increase the risk of developing stones. If you’re a particularly sweaty individual, it’s easy to miss out on ingesting enough water.
Obesity: A large waist, excessive weight gain and a high body mass index are factors that contribute to the formation of stones because they’re usually accompanied by ingestion of foods that breed stone formation.
Surgery: If you’ve been subjected to gastric bypass, have chronic diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease, you may experience changes in your digestive system that limit your water and calcium intake. That could lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Other Diseases: Your system is delicate, and if you develop frequent urinary tract infections, renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria or hyperparathyroidism, you put yourself at risk for developing kidney stones. Certain medications can also alter your body chemistry and lead down the kidney stone road.
FOOD IS THE KEY
Your best bet to controlling potential development of kidney stones is to limit the conditions that may help them to form. That usually means a diet that cuts back on foods that can help the formation of oxalate stones. Less oxalate means less in your urine.
Unfortunately, high oxalate foods predominate in nature, as most plants have them.
Six foods that you should watch in order to limit your chances of kidney stone formation:
1) Spinach: Yes, it worked wonders for Popeye. But if you’re looking to cut your risk of developing kidney stones, this leafy vegetable is a good place to start.
2) Rhubarb: Although Americans don’t eat a lot of it, it can sneak into the diet in combination with other foods. If you see it on the menu, it’s probably best to limit your intake.
3) Potato chips: Processed foods like chips can magnify the oxalate you ingest. Cut back and you’ll receive the added benefit of avoiding a food group that adds little nutrition and lots of unhelpful calories to your diet. Sodium is a big instigator when it comes to kidney stone formation.
4) Nuts and nut butters – These can be natural, in the shell, or highly processed foods, particularly if pre-salted. Ever wonder why they give you free nuts at the bar? It’s because they make you thirsty. If you ingest a lot of them and don't drink enough fluids, it may lead to stone formation.
5) Too much protein – Digesting that great steak or pork chop is a process for your body, and if you don’t combine it with the right amount of foods that ease your digestion, a problem may occur. The recommended amount for the average adult is 2 to 3 servings, which typically translates to 4 to 7 ounces of protein. Any more and you run the risk of stone formation.
6) Too little calcium – You need to eat two to three servings daily of dairy in order to balance your body. Some Americans eat too much cheese, while others don’t get enough. Doctors recommend that men who are 50 years of age or older should get around 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day and 1,000 units of vitamin D to help absorb it.
Although it may seem like every food has the potential to cause kidney stones, you shouldn’t worry. As with all things, maintaining an ideal weight, drinking plenty of fluids and not gorging on oxalate-rich foods should keep you stone-free. A good dietician can recommend an optimal diet that will help you stay on the right path.