Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are an accumulation of crystallized mineral salts stuck in the urinary tract. The combination of uric acids, phosphates, and calcium oxalate are normally suspended in a solution secreted by protective compounds, however if the immune system is not functioning properly or the urine becomes over-saturated the substances can crystallize, clump together, and cause painful restriction of the urinary tract.

Drinking diluted fresh lemon juice and apple juice every half hour can relieve pain. To avoid the formation of kidney stones drink plenty of good quality water, at least ten 8-ounce glasses each day is recommended. Avoid eating animal protein, as it causes the body to excrete calcium. Eat more foods containing vitamin A including alfalfa, apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and squash. Lower intake of potassium, phosphates, salt, and do not drink soft drinks. To increase the solubility of calcium eat plenty of magnesium in the form of seafood, brown rice, tofu, and soybeans. Avoid eating foods that produces oxalic acid including asparagus, beet greens, beets, blueberries, celery, eggs, fish, grapes, parsley, rhubarb, sorrel, spinach, Swiss chard, and vegetables of the cabbage family. Also avoid alcohol, black tea, chocolate, cocoa, dried figs, nuts, pepper, and poppy seeds. Do not eat refined sugar as it stimulates the production of insulin which causes calcium to be excreted in the urine.