Kidney Stones - Other Treatments

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Fiber-Rich Foods and Their Compounds

Fiber may be beneficial for people with kidney stones. In addition, some fiber-rich foods may contain compounds that help protect against kidney stones. A wide variety of high-fiber plant foods contain a compound called phytate (also called inositol hexaphosphate, InsP6, or IP6), which appears to help prevent the crystallization of calcium salts, both oxalate and phosphate. Phytate is found in legumes and wheat and rice bran. (Soybeans are also rich in phytate, but they are also very high in oxalates, so the overall effects of soy on kidney stones are not clear.)

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Purine Restriction in People at Risk for Uric Acid Stones

A high intake of purines can increase the amount of uric acid in the urine. Those at risk for uric acid stones should reduce their intake of foods and beverages that contain purines.

Some diet and lifestyle changes that may help prevent uric acid stones:

• Avoid alcohol, anchovies, sardines, oils, herring, organ meat (liver, kidney, and sweetbreads), legumes (dried beans and peas), gravies, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, and baking or brewer's yeast.
• Limit how much meat you eat at each meal.
• Avoid fatty foods such as salad dressings, ice cream, and fried foods

Oxalate Restriction in Hyperoxaluria

People who have hyperoxaluria will be advised to limit the amount of oxalate in their diet.

• Foods high in oxalic acid include beets, soy, beet tops, black tea, chenopodium, chocolate, cocoa, dried figs, ground pepper, lamb, lime peel, nuts, parsley, poppy seeds, purslane, rhubarb, sorrel, spinach, and Swiss chard.
• Foods containing moderate amounts of oxalates include beans (green and wax), blackberries, blueberries, carrots, celery, coffee (roasted), concord grapes, currants, dandelion greens, endive, gooseberries, lemon peel, okra, green onions, oranges, green peppers, black raspberries, strawberries, and sweet potatoes.

Role of Fats

Certain fats may play a beneficial or harmful role in specific cases of kidney stones.

Restricted Fats in Patients with Stones Associated with Bowel Disease. Patients who have stones associated with short-bowel syndrome should eat foods with lower amounts of fats and oxalates. If patients with short-bowel syndrome eat too much fat, calcium may bind to unabsorbed fat instead of to oxalates, increasing oxalate levels and raising the risk of stone formation.