Kidney stones are a common health issue affecting many people worldwide. These stones form from the buildup and settling of minerals and salts in the kidneys, leading to solid crystals that can cause severe pain and other health problems.
Even though some people might not have obvious symptoms, sharp pain in the sides or back, difficulty peeing, or blood in the urine can be warning signs of kidney stones. Sadly, people who have had kidney stones before are more likely to get them again.
In this article, we will learn what kidney stones are and discover 8 natural treatments to get rid of them at home.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones, also called renal calculi, are waste materials and solids that gather in the kidneys and form crystals or stones. There are four main types, but about 80% are calcium oxalate stones. Less common types include struvite stones, uric acid stones, and cysteine stones.
Small stones usually don't cause problems, but big stones can block part of the urinary tract while leaving the body. This can cause strong pain, vomiting, and bleeding,
Also, studies show that people who've had kidney stones once have up to a 50% chance of forming new stones again within 5-10 years.
8 natural remedies to get rid of kidney stones at home
1. Staying hydrated
When it comes to preventing kidney stones, it's generally recommended to drink plenty of fluids. Fluids dilute and increase the volume of the substances that form stones in urine, making them less likely to crystallize and form stones.
However, not all fluids have the same effect. For example, drinking large amounts of water is linked to lower risk of stone formation. Drinks like coffee, tea, orange juice, and barley have also been linked to lower kidney stone risk.
On the other hand, consuming large amounts of soda In kidney stone formation. Soda drinks sweetened with high fructose sugar are known to increase calcium, oxalate, and uric acid excretion, which are factors linked to higher risk of kidney stones.
2. Increasing citric acid intake
Citric acid is an organic acid found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. Lemon and lime are especially rich sources of this plant compound.
Citric acid may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones in two ways:-
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Preventing stones:- Citric acid binds with calcium in urine, reducing the risk of new stone formation.
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Preventing stones from growing larger:- Citric acid binds to calcium oxalate crystals that already exist, stopping them from growing bigger. This can help get rid of these crystals before they turn into bigger stones.
You can easily boost citric acid intake by eating more healthy fruits like grapefruit, andoranges, andlemons, and limes. You can also try some lemon juice, or adding lime to water.
3. Cut down on foods high in oxalates
Oxalates "oxalic acid" is an anti-nutrient found in many plant foods, including leafy greens andfruits and cocoa. Also, the body produces a lot of oxalates.
Eating large amounts of oxalates can increase oxalate excretion in urine, which can be a problem for people prone to calcium oxalate crystals. Oxalates can bind with calcium and other minerals, forming crystals that can lead to stones.
However, foods high in oxalates also tend to be very healthy, so strict low-oxalate diets are no longer recommended for everyone at risk of stones.
A low-oxalate diet is suggested only for people with hyperoxaluria, a condition with high oxalate levels in urine. Before changing your diet, talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
4. Avoid high doses of vitamin C
Studies show that supplements Vitamin C "ascorbic acid" are linked to higher risk of kidney stones. Some vitamin C converts into oxalates in the body.
Some studies found that people taking vitamin C supplements are twice as likely to get kidney stones compared to those who don’t. But vitamin C from foods like lemon isn’t linked to higher stone risk.
5. Getting enough calcium
There is a common misunderstanding that people should cut down on calcium to lower the risk of calcium kidney stones. But this is not true. In fact, eating a calcium-rich diet is linked with a lower risk of kidney stones.
One study put men who had a history of calcium kidney stones on a diet with 1200 mg of calcium daily. The diet was also low in animal protein and salt.
These men had a 50% lower risk of new kidney stones over 5 years compared to men on a low-calcium diet with only 400 mg per day.
Dietary calcium tends to bind with oxalates in food and stops it from being absorbed. So, the kidneys don’t have to filter it through urine. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are good sources of calcium.
6. Reducing salt intake
A diet high in salt "Sodium" is linked to increased risks of kidney stones in some people. Eating a lot of sodium can lead to more calcium being released in the urine, which is a main factor that helps kidney stones form.
Most dietary guidelines recommend limiting sodium intake to 2300 mg per day. But most people eat much more than that. One of the best ways to cut down on sodium is to eat fewer processed and packaged foods.
7. Increase magnesium intake
Magnesium is magnesium an important mineral many people don’t get enough of. It’s involved in hundreds of metabolic reactions in the body, including energy production and muscle movements.
There is also some evidence that magnesium may help prevent kidney stones made of calcium oxalate. How it works is not fully clear, but it's suggested that magnesium might reduce oxalate absorption in the digestive tract. However, not all studies agree on this.
The daily recommended intake for magnesium (RDI) is 420 mg. If someone wants to increase their dietary magnesium, avocados, andlegumes, andtofu are good food sources for this mineral. To get the most benefit, magnesium should be eaten with foods high in oxalates.
8. Eat less animal protein
Diets high inanimal protein, like meat andfish and dairy products are linked to higher risk of kidney stones. Eating a lot of animal protein may raise calcium excretion and lower citrate levels.
Also, animal protein sources are rich in purines. These compounds break down into uric acid, which can raise the risk of uric acid stone formation.
