Skip to main content

Kidney Stone: Diet, Myth, and Realty

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Nutritional and Medical Management of Kidney Stones

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Kidney stones are caused by a disruption in balance between solubility and precipitation of salts within the urinary tract. The incidence of kidney stones is increasing in the United States, and treatments for them are very costly. There are many dietary recommendations available, but some are not evidence based which can lead to misunderstanding of the dietary treatment or prevention of kidney stones. This chapter will highlight common mistakes of dietary prevention of kidney stones and current recommendations from American Urology Association guidelines. General guidelines include intake of adequate amount of calcium, plenty of fluid intake, moderate amount of animal protein, appropriate fruits and vegetables, and vitamin/mineral supplements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Pearle M, Calhoun E, Curhan G. Urologic diseases in America project: urolithiasis. J Urol. 2005;173(3):848.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Scales CD, Smith AC, Hanley JM, Saigal CS, Urologic Diseases in America Project. Prevalence of kidney stones in the United States. Eur Urol. 2012;62(1):160–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Worcester E, Coe F. Nephrolithiasis. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2008;35:369–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Stapleton AE, Dziura J, Hooton TM, Cox ME, Yarova-Yarovaya Y, Chen S, Gupta K. Recurrent urinary tract infection and urinary escherichia coli in women ingesting cranberry juice daily: a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012;87(2):143–50.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Saigal CS, Joyce G, Timilsina AR, Urologic Diseases in America Project. Direct and indirect costs of nephrolithiasis in an employed population: opportunity for disease management? Kidney Int. 2005;68(4):1808–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Pak C. Effect of low-carbohydrate high-protein diets on acid-base balance, stone-forming propensity, and calcium metabolism. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002;40(2):265–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Litholink Corp, Chicago IL.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Han H, Segal A, Seifter J, et al. Nutritional management of kidney stones (Nephrolithiasis). Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4:137–52.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Ross A, Taylor C, Yaktine A, Del Valle H. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D, vol. 464. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Taylor E, Stampfer M, Curhan G. Dietary factors and the risk of incident kidney stones in men: new insights after 14 years of follow-up. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2004;15(12):3225–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Goldfarb D, Fischer M, Keich Y, Goldberg J. A twin study of genetic and dietary influences on nephrolithiasis: a report from the Vietnam Era Twin (VET) registry. Kidney Int. 2005;67(3):1053–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Domrongkitchaiporn S, Ongphiphadhanakul B, Stitchantrakul W, et al. Risk of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis after calcium or combined calcium and calcitriol supplementation in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2000;11(6):486–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Curhan G, Willett W, Knight E, Stampfer M. Dietary factors and the risk of incident kidney stones in younger women: Nurses’ health study II. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(8):885.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Borghi L, Schianchi T, Meschi T, et al. Comparison of two diets for the prevention of recurrent stones in idiopathic hypercalciuria. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(2):77–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hess B. Low calcium diet in hypercalciuric calcium nephrolithiasis: first do no harm. Scanning Microsc. 1996;10(2):547–54.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG, et al. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192:316–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Pak C, Sakhaee K, Crowther C, Brinkley L. Evidence justifying a high fluid intake in treatment of nephrolithiasis. Ann Intern Med. 1980;93(1 Part 1):36–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Aras B, Kalfazade N, Tufcu V, et al. Can lemon juice be an alternative to potassium citrate in the treatment of urinary calcium stones in patients with hypocitraturia? A prospective randomized study. Urol Res. 2008;36:313–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Borghi L, Meschi T, Amato F, Briganti A, Novarini A, Giannini A. Urinary volume, water and recurrences in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis: a 5-year randomized prospective study. J Urol. 1996;155(3):839–43.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. McCann L, editor. Pocket guide to nutrition assessment of the patient with kidney disease. New York: National Kidney Foundation; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Curhan G, Willett W, Rimm E, Spiegelman D, Stampfer M. Prospective study of beverage use and the risk of kidney stones. Am J Epidemiol. 1996;143(3):240–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Savage G, Charrier M, Vanhanen L. Bioavailability of soluble oxalate from tea and the effect of consuming milk with the tea. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003;57(3):415–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kok D, Papapoulos S, Bijvoet O. Excessive crystal agglomeration with low citrate excretion in recurrent stone-formers. Lancet. 1986;327(8489):1056–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Rodgers A. Effect of cola consumption on urinary biochemical and physicochemical risk factors associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Urol Res. 1999;27(1):77–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Eisner B, Asplin J, Goldfarb D, Ahmad A, Stoller M. Citrate, malate and alkali content in commonly consumed diet sodas: implications for nephrolithiasis treatment. J Urol. 2010;183(6):2419–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Taylor E, Curhan G. Determinants of 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008;3(5):1453–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Taylor E, Curhan G. Fructose consumption and the risk of kidney stones. Kidney Int. 2007;73(2):207–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Chalmers A, Cowley D, Brown J. A possible etiological role for ascorbate in calculi formation. Clin Chem. 1986;32(2):333–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Traxer O, Huet B, Poindexter J, Pak C, Pearle M. Effect of ascorbic acid consumption on urinary stone risk factors. J Urol. 2003;170(2):397–401.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Chai W, Liebman M, Kynast-Gales S, Massey L. Oxalate absorption and endogenous oxalate synthesis from ascorbate in calcium oxalate stone formers and non-stone formers. Am J Kidney Dis. 2004;44(6):1060–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Curhan G, Willett W, Speizer F, Stampfer M. Intake of vitamins B6 and C and the risk of kidney stones in women. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1999;10(4):840–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Dussol B, Iovanna C, Rotily M, et al. A randomized trial of low-animal-protein or high-fiber diets for secondary prevention of calcium nephrolithiasis. Nephron Clin Pract. 2008;110(3):c185–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Giannini S, Nobile M, Sartori L, et al. Acute effects of moderate dietary protein restriction in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria and calcium nephrolithiasis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69(2):267–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Nguyen Q, Kälin A, Drouve U, Casez J, Jaeger P. Sensitivity to meat protein intake and hyperoxaluria in idiopathic calcium stone formers. Kidney Int. 2001;59(6):2273–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Naya Y, Ito H, Masai M, Yamaguchi K. Association of dietary fatty acids with urinary oxalate excretion in calcium oxalate stone-formers in their fourth decade. BJU Int. 2002;89(9):842–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Siener R, Hesse A. The effect of a vegetarian and different omnivorous diets on urinary risk factors for uric acid stone formation. Eur J Nutr. 2003;42(6):332–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Massey L. Dietary influences on urinary oxalate and risk of kidney stones. Front Biosci. 2003;8:s584–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Taylor E, Curhan G. Oxalate intake and the risk for nephrolithiasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(7):2198–204.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Omoloja A. The children's medical center of Dayton Nephrology Department: oxalate content of foods. https:www.childrensdayton.org/cms/resource_library/nephrology_files/5f5dec8807c77c552/lithiasis_oxalateand_diet.pdf. Accessed 5 Oct 2012.

  40. The Arthritis Foundation. Foods’ purine content. Arthritis today website. http://www.arthritistoday.org/conditions/gout/healthyliving/food-purine-content.php. Updated 2012.

  41. Meschi T, Maggiore U, Fiaccadori E, et al. The effect of fruits and vegetables on urinary stone risk factors. Kidney Int. 2004;66(6):2402–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Meschi T, Nouvenne A, Ticinesi A, et al. Dietary habits in women with recurrent idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Transl Med. 2012;10(63):1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Massey L. Dietary salt, urinary calcium, and kidney stone risk. Nutr Rev. 1995;53(5):131–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Mertz D, Loewer H. Uric-acid reduction with high allopurinol dosages. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1979;104(9):324–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Institute of Medicine (US). Standing committee on the scientific evaluation of dietary reference intakes. In: Dietary reference intakes: for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Barcelo P, Wuhl O, Servitge E, Rousaud A, Pak C. Randomized double-blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1993;150(6):1761.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Institute of Medicine (US). Panel on dietary reference intakes for electrolytes, water. In: DRI, dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Low R, Stoller M. Uric acid-related nephrolithiasis. Urol Clin North Am. 1997;24(1):135–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Coe F, Moran E, Kavalich A. The contribution of dietary purine over-consumption to hyperuricosuria in calcium oxalate stone formers. J Chronic Dis. 1976;29(12):793–800.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Pak C, Barilla D, Holt K, Brinkley L, Tolentino R, Zerwekh J. Effect of oral purine load and allopurinol on the crystallization of calcium salts in urine of patients with hyperuricosuric calcium urolithiasis. Am J Med. 1978;65(4):593–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Fellstrom B, Danielson B, Karlstrom B, Lithell H, Ljunghall S, Vessby B. The influence of a high dietary intake of purine-rich animal protein on urinary urate excretion and supersaturation in renal stone disease. Clin Sci (Lond). 1983;64(4):399–405.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haewook Han .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Vosatka, L., Han, H. (2019). Kidney Stone: Diet, Myth, and Realty. In: Han, H., Mutter, W., Nasser, S. (eds) Nutritional and Medical Management of Kidney Stones. Nutrition and Health. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15534-6_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15534-6_21

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-15533-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-15534-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics