Overview

Uric acid is a type of toxin in the blood released during the breakdown of purine. Purine is present in various food items and various parts of the body. Our body naturally gets rid of uric acid through urine and the bowels. Sometimes, our kidneys aren’t able to perform well, or the formation of uric acid spikes up drastically. This condition leads to a high uric acid level in the body, which can solidify into kidney crystals. These crystals are known as uric acid kidney stones, and this condition is also known as uric acid nephrolithiasis. Sometimes, these kidney stones move to the urinary tract and become an obstruction. Uric acid kidney stones can lead to various health complications and infections.

Uric acid stone risk factors

- People who consume a diet that is high in purine, salt, or sugar
- Inherited traits associated with difficulty handling and regulating uric acid or proteins
- Diabetes and lifting heavy weights
- Consuming certain medications like water pills and immunity suppressants
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy or weight loss surgery
- Obese people and type 2 diabetes
- If your ancestors have suffered from kidney stones

Can diet help with uric acid stone prevention?

People who consume diets high in purines are at a higher risk of developing uric acid kidney stones. Thus, your diet plays a crucial role in developing this health condition. Moreover, according to some studies, following a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet can help reduce the risk of kidney stone development. This diet has helped many people improve their overall health, including heart health and blood pressure. Moreover, as this diet suggests, limiting sugar, salt, and red meat consumption reduces the risk of kidney stone formation.

Uric Acid Stone Diet

What not to eat?

Animal proteins

Animal proteins, especially their organ meat (like the liver), have a high purine concentration. Uric acid kidney stone patients are suggested to go on a low-purine diet, and hence one should avoid red meat, beef, fish, seafood, pork, eggs, cheese, etc.

Salt intake

Like other kidney stone patients, uric acid kidney stone patients are also advised to reduce sodium consumption. It also includes packed and processed foods, which contain high sodium. It will help regulate blood pressure and decrease the presence of calcium in the urine, reducing the risk of stone formation.

Sugar-sweetened food items and beverages

Food and drinks that are artificially sweetened contain high fructose corn syrup. According to research, fructose negatively affects urate metabolism and urinary pH.

Vitamin C supplements

Excess amounts of vitamin C in your body can result in more oxalate, which is responsible for stone formation in your body. Hence, consider taking medical advice to understand the safe limits of vitamin C supplements in your diet.

Alcohol

Alcohol can increase uric acid levels in the blood and further increase the risk of uric acid kidney stones. Therefore, every medical expert suggests reducing alcohol as a part of uric acid stone treatment.

All the food items with high oxalate content

Reducing oxalate in the body is the prime agenda for uric acid stone prevention. So limit all the food items that have a high oxalate level. It includes:

- Nuts
- Spinach
- Many types of berries
- Rice bran
- Almonds
- Calcium supplements

It is important to maintain the right level of calcium in your blood. Hence, you must consult an expert if you consume any calcium supplement.

What to eat?

- Plant-based proteins
- Though you are cutting off animal proteins from your diet, add some plant-based proteins to fulfil your protein requirements. You can add plant-based protein alternatives like:
- Soy products, including soy milk, tofu, etc.
- Legumes like beans, lentils, and dried peas
- Sunflower seeds

But it is important to consult your doctor to understand your protein requirements.

Stay hydrated

Drink enough water and other fluids. Water is like an elixir for the kidneys. As a result, you should consume approximately 2-3 litres of water or other fluids per day. It includes juices, coffee, lemonade, etc. It will help with less concentrated urine production.

Dairy products for enough calcium

Consume dairy products every day to get enough calcium in your body. According to some studies, a high-calcium diet with restricted protein, salt, and oxalate consumption can help reduce kidney stone recurrence in the long run.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential micronutrients and fibre. Fruits with high citric acid and potassium levels can help prevent kidney stone formation as citric acid binds to urinary calcium and improves urine saturation. Moreover, when taken in moderation, these fruits help prevent the growth of calcium oxalate crystals.

You can also contact the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

When to Consult a Doctor?

It is important to consult a hyponatremia doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with this condition. These include confusion, fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps or spasms and nausea. In addition, if your electrolyte levels have recently changed due to an illness such as diarrhoea or vomiting, seeking medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional is important.

You can also get in touch with the expert Nephrology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Diet can help in reducing or regulating uric acid levels in the urine. As a result, one can prevent the occurrence of uric acid kidney stones and improve overall kidney health. Moreover, our ancestors always recommended a balanced diet to avoid health issues.

References-

- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16378-uric-acid-stones
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/uric-acid-stone
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diet
- https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/high-oxalate-foods-bad-for-kidney-stone
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/eating-diet-nutrition
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4265710/
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_prevent