Calcium dilemma

 

Taking medicines can make one prone to kidney stones. As the most common type of kidney stones are- calcium oxalate pebbles, which are formed when calcium & oxalic acid hook up in urine. Calcium pills, taken with meals, actually can be protective. Because, calcium binds with oxalate in food which, keeps it from getting into the urinary tract.

There are other steps you can take to help prevent kidney stones. The most important is to drink quarts of water. The rule of thumb, if you’ve had a kidney stone is at least 3 quarts a day ( other fluids count too). Every times you eat, drink a glass of water. Have a glass of water before you go to bed; of you get up during the night, have another glass of water. Drink moderate amounts of orange juice, lemonade, coffee, tea, wine & beer, all can deter stones. But water is your kidneys’ best friend.

Salt is not. Sodium increases calcium in urine, which ups your chance of stones. Skip highly processed ‘salt bombs’, fast food, canned soups/ vegetables, deli meats, pre-made frozen dishes, pizza, hot dogs, sausage. Grapefruit juice, cola & cranberry juice also may cause trouble. And avid spinach, rhubarb, nuts & wheat bran, these normally healthy foods increase oxalate in urine, exactly what you don’t need.