Kidney Stones - Highlights

Highlights

Obesity and Weight Gain

• Obesity and weight gain increase the risk for developing kidney stones. Women are at greatest risk. An important 2005 study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data collected from more than 200,000 adults. Obese women were 90% more likely to develop kidney stones than normal weight women. Obese men had a 44% higher risk. Higher body mass index and larger waist measurements were both identified as risk factors.

Dietary Calcium

• Eating more foods rich in calcium may help to prevent some types of kidney stones, but the benefits may depend on age. A 2005 study found that higher dietary calcium consumption helped lower kidney stone risk in younger men (under 60 years) but had no effect for older men (over 60 years). Dietary calcium recommendations can also vary according to gender, body size, and stone type. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of dietary calcium. Ask your doctor what type of diet, and amount of calcium, is best for you.

Vitamin C

• High amounts of supplementary vitamin C may increase men?s risk of developing kidney stones. A 2005 study indicated that men who took 1000 mg or more of vitamin C each day were 40% more likely to develop kidney stones than men who took no more than 90 mg a day.

Fish Oil

• The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are healthy for the heart and brain, but they do not prevent kidney stones, according to a 2005 study in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

Fluids

• Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day is the best way to keep new stones from forming. There are many controversies surrounding diet and kidney stones, but all experts agree that fluids are key to prevention.