Diet for urinary stone diseases

An overview 

Each type of stone is characterized by a specific cause of education and results in a different composition. Calcium oxalate stones are most common with 65 to 70 percent of all types of rocks.

Furthermore, uric acid, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate and carbonate apatite are of importance. A change in diet can only be successful if the composition and the cause of the stone formation is clarified.

The urine's pH, uric acid, calcium, oxalic acid, citrate and magnesium levels all influence the composition of the stone. Likewise, urine volume and creatinine excretion play an important role.

For all types of rocks, the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society are the basis for nutritional therapy. Individually, however, certain influencing factors must be given special consideration.

The pH of urine

The acid-base balance in the blood is necessary so that all metabolic reactions can proceed optimally. For this buffer systems are available in the blood, which neutralize the acids. If the capacity is exceeded, the kidney takes over the final regulation.

If the acid concentration in the urine increases, the pH drops below the normal physiological pH of 5.8 to 6.8. The precipitation of uric acid is thereby facilitated. At a high pH above 6.5 precipitation of calcium hydrogen phosphate and ammonium urate is favored.

The measurement of the pH value is necessary both at the first finding as well as in the further therapy. The patient should make this measurement regularly with pH test strips.

A very important influence on the pH decreases the diet. The intake of phytochemicals increases the pH, while the intake of animal foods lowers the pH of the urine.

Consequently, switching from a diet high in animal protein, fat and alcohol to an ovolacto-vegetarian diet (exclusive consumption of milk, eggs and vegetable foods) may increase the pH of the urine.

The drinking behavior

For the prevention and also to prevent new episodes of epidemic drinking has a special status. An adequate hydration prevents the crystallization of the stones through the sufficient urinary dilution.

Depending on the ambient temperature and physical activity, a daily intake of two to three liters is required. As long as the urinary stone composition is unknown, only neutral drinks should be included in the individual drinking plan.

Neutral drinks are:

Source and tap water (possibly boiled)
Fruit and herbal teas
Harntees (medicinal side)
Apfelsaftschorle
Mineral waters (calcium content below 200 mg / l, bicarbonate content below 500 mg / l)
Unsuitable for all urinary stone patients are alcoholics, sugary sodas and cola drinks, caffeinated coffee and black tea. Fruit and vegetable juices should always be diluted heavily with water. If, on the other hand, the type of stone is known, drinks are used which, depending on the requirements, prevent the formation of stones.

Here a distinction is made between urinary alkalis (citrus fruit juice, mineral water with more than 1500 mg / l bicarbonate) and acidifying drinks (sulphate-rich and low-hydrogenated mineral water, currant and cranberry juice).

Most common: calcium oxalate stones

Nutrition also has a decisive influence on these urinary stones. There are two different forms of these stones, which are formed depending on the concentration of magnesium, calcium and oxalic acid in the urine. Uric acid generally promotes this formation of stones.

There are many nutritional errors as a cause into consideration. It is drunk too little, so that the urine dilution is insufficient. The calcium excretion in the urine is promoted by the consumption of animal protein, salt and sugar.

People who drink a lot of milk and consume dairy products increase their calcium intake and excretion. Oxalic acid is primarily present in plant foods (rhubarb, spinach, chard, beetroot and cocoa products).

High alcohol consumption increases the uric acid excretion and thus the risk of calcium oxalate precipitating. Thus, the therapy is based on the avoidance of oxalate-rich foods and simultaneous adjustment of calcium intake.

Therapeutically, the intake of magnesium is recommended because it binds oxalic acid already in the digestive tract and thus reduces the absorption in the body. Vitamin B6 supplementation also reduces oxalic acid excretion.

Increased Uric acid valuesA hyperuricemia (excessive uric acid levels in the urine) not only has a negative effect on the formation of some urinary stones, but also promotes the development of gout. In addition to the reduction in the uric acid levels, a diet is very useful. By normalizing the energy intake and the excess weight and by reducing the intake of purine, uric acid formation in the body and urinary excretion can be reduced. Purines in the body are converted to uric acid. Particularly high purine concentrations are found in animal foods. In particular, fish, meat, offals and meat extract favor high concentrations of uric acid. Therefore, the protein requirement should be covered by milk and milk products and meat should be avoided. Those who avoid long-term high-fat animal foods will also positively change the second cause of high levels of uric acid: being overweight. However, the mechanism behind why obesity promotes the formation of high uric acid levels is unknown. But in times of need, e.g. After the war, there were few overweight people and at the same time few uric acid patients.