How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones affect half a million people every year, most often white males between the ages of 30 and 50. By following these preventive steps you'll lessen your chances of affliction.

Things You'll Need

• Bottled Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat less meat. Due to increased intake of animal proteins, the incidence of kidney stones is 10 times more prevalent now than it was at the turn of the century.

• 2

  Drink plenty of fluids - one study has shown that people who drink more than 2 1/2 liters of water every day have almost a 40 percent decrease in the risk of developing a stone than those who drank less water.

• 3

  Limit consumption of grapefruit juice and cola drinks. Studies have shown that these may actually increase the risk of developing stones.

• 4

  Adopt a diet high in potassium and magnesium - these minerals decrease the likelihood of kidney stones.

• 5

  Talk to your doctor about taking supplements such as pyridoxine and magnesium. Taken together, these reduce oxalate, a mineral salt found in kidney stones.

• 6

  Limit your calcium and salt intake.