Professor Vigen Malkhesyan, a urologist and oncologist, stated that kidney stones are usually formed as a result of poor diet. He identified the foods that contribute to kidney stones and how to modify one's diet to maintain kidney health.
According to him, if a urine analysis shows more than 0.5 millimoles per day of oxalates, this indicates a high level of calcium oxalate (oxalic acid salts), which calls for monitoring its dietary sources.
To prevent kidney stones, it is advisable to avoid or reduce the consumption of certain foods rich in oxalates, such as: cocoa, black tea, chocolate (especially those with a high cocoa content), in addition to leafy green vegetables such as spinach, sorrel, parsley, celery, green peppers and beets, as well as fruits such as figs and rhubarb, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews and hazelnuts, in addition to buckwheat.
He points out that the belief that calcium should be reduced in kidney stone patients is a misconception, as the calcium in dairy products plays an important role in reducing oxalate absorption in the intestines.
He explains that the recommended daily intake of calcium to prevent urinary tract stones ranges between 1000 and 1200 mg, which is roughly equivalent to a liter of milk or yogurt, about 7 to 10 slices of cheese, or approximately one kilogram of cottage cheese. Conversely, salt consumption should be reduced, as sodium increases calcium excretion in urine, thus raising the risk of stone formation.
It is also advised not to overindulge in animal protein, as excessive consumption of meat, poultry and fish leads to high levels of uric acid, which may contribute to the formation of uric acid stones and calcium oxalate stones.
Conversely, it is recommended to increase fiber intake, as fruits and vegetables not only contain fiber, but also citrate, which is a natural substance that inhibits the formation of stones by binding to calcium in the urine and preventing its deposition.
The professor confirms that adhering to these simple dietary guidelines helps reduce the concentration of substances that cause kidney stones in the urine, and supports overall kidney health.
