That translates roughly to eight 8-ounce glasses per day.
Up to 3 liters a day may be necessary if you have a history of kidney stones.
Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Calcium stones can form when you excrete excessive amounts ofcalciumthrough your urine.
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Both calcium and sodium are electrolytes, which are charged minerals in the blood.
To reduce calcium stones,limit your sodium intaketo 2,300 milligrams (mg) daily from all sources.
Start by reducing your intake ofsodium-rich foods, such as processed meats, instant soups, and packaged sauces.
Replace them withlow-sodium versions.
They have no known function in the human body.
If you have a history of calcium oxalate stones, you should attempt to follow alow-oxalate diet.
Eat Calcium-Rich Foods
Eating calcium-rich foods may seem counterintuitive, but it decreases the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
Uric acid is a waste product triggered by the breakdown of organic substances calledpurinesfound in animal-based proteins and alcohol.
This is because high consumption of purines also increases the excretion of calcium and oxalate.
Research also suggests that the overconsumption of sugar can increase the risk of calcium stones.
Current U.S. dietary guidelines recommend limiting your daily calories from added sugar to less than 10%.
Some carbonated beverages can cause the pH levels to drop due to a chemical known as phosphoric acid.
Phosphoric acid is added to carbonated beverages like colas to enhance their flavor and extend their shelf life.
Some studies have shown that regularly drinking these sodas increases the risk of kidney stones by 33%.
Lose Weight if You Are Overweight
Being overweight orobeseincreases your risk of kidney stones.
Both calcium oxalate and uric acid stones are common in people who are overweight.
Moreover, the risk increases in tandem with theirbody mass index (BMI).
Work with a healthcare provider to build a sustainableweight-loss planthat involves a nutritious reduced-calorie diet and routine exercise.
These supplements do so by being partially converted to oxalate as they are broken down.
As popular as these supplements are, you generally do not need them if you eat a balanced diet.
Try a Citrate Supplement
Potassium citrate supplements, available over the counter, can make your urine less acidic.
Sodium citrate supplements should be avoided because sodium can increase calcium excretion and negate the benefit.
If they are taken inappropriately, side effects such as muscle weakness,irregular heartbeats, andstomach ulcerscan occur.
Check That Your Medications Are Safe
Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
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