Natural Ways To Reduce Kidney Stone Formation

If you’ve ever passed kidney stones, you know it’s not something you ever want to do again. This painful condition is caused by an excess of crystal-forming minerals and substances such as calcium, oxalate, or uric acid in the urine.

These crystals bind together into stones and may be small enough to pass without notice, but if they grow larger, they may block the ureter and the flow of urine, leading to painful spasms, nausea, and sometimes fever and chills. Kidney stones are usually the result of diet and lifestyle choices, with the exception of a few medical conditions, so the good news is there is plenty that can be done naturally to prevent their occurrence.

Drink plenty of water

Diluted urine is less likely to lead to heavily concentrated elements that can cause stones. Aim for 8 cups of water a day—more if you’ve had stones before. Drinking water can also replace liquids such as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages which both excrete calcium into the urine. Bonus if you add lemon to your water, as citrus fruits are high in citrate, which helps prevent kidney stones.

Limit acid-forming foods

Though stones can be caused by different substances, the most common type is caused by calcium and oxalate binding together. For this type of stone, limit high-oxalate foods such as spinach, rhubarb, beans, cocoa, and peanuts. Red meat and shellfish lead to more acidic urine, which can lead to uric acid stones. In general, focus on whole, unprocessed foods with an emphasis on a plant-based diet.

Chanca Piedra

Chanca Piedra is a tropical plant and is known as "stone breaker". This herbal remedy inhibits stone growth and the formation of crystallized minerals, making it an excellent preventative supplement.