After years of observation and research within his own practice, urology expert, Dr. Pedram Ilbeigi has come to realize that diet can greatly impact a man’s chances of developing kidney stones.
He recommends his Rancho Mirage patients who have had kidney stones in the past with these tips to help reduce the occurrence of kidney stones.
It is important for all men in the Inland Empire to watch their diet and exercise routines as any man over the age of 40 is at a risk for developing kidney stones. Genetic predisposition also plays a role in developing stones, but this diet will help all men feel better and live a healthier life while avoiding these painful stones in the future.
Basic Food Tips to Reduce Kidney Stone Development
Stay hydrated at all times — Dehydration is one of the main reasons that kidney stones form in the body. Remember that just because you are drinking something that is liquid does not necessarily mean that it is hydrating your body. You will want to drink several 12-16 ounce glasses of water each day. This may seem like a lot of water, but the point is to keep the fluid moving through your body. Avoid highly-caffeinated beverages as they will dehydrate you rather than hydrate you.
Stick with low-sodium choices — You may think that because you don’t add salt to your French fries that you don’t have a high sodium diet. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
American food is filled with sodium as a preservative, so it is important to read the ingredients on everything you buy. For instance, most canned green beans have salt added to them making the sodium levels significantly higher. Opt for the no-salt-added can instead. Salt encourages the formation of the stones in the kidneys, so the less sodium in your diet the better off you are.
Maintain healthy calcium levels — Formerly, dieticians recommended restricting calcium intake in order to help with kidney stones. However, doctors now feel that moderate calcium is still helpful for the body. You can continue to have an average calcium regimen, barring that it is not excessive such as drinking an entire gallon of milk every day.
Above all, eat a nutritious, balanced diet — It is never good to go to the extremes when it comes to your diet. Avoid fad diets such as low-carb or no-carb diets. You will want to enjoy everything in moderation while sticking to the basic food pyramid for recommendations.
Every patient is different and will have different factors that impact the development of future kidney stones. As with anything, moderation is the key. You will want to, still, enjoy your life and enjoy your meals, but you will want to enjoy everything without the burden of dealing with kidney stones. These tips will help you get on your way to living a healthy and fulfilling life.
