Three Foods That Get Rid of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are composed of the waste that the body does not need but that the kidneys fail to eliminate in the urine. This usually happens when there is either too much waste or not enough fluids to flush out the toxins completely. This waste gradually accumulates and forms a "stone." Some stones are as small as grains of sand or gravel, but can cause excruciating pain when the kidneys attempt to eliminate them. Dietary changes---including ingesting certain foods and beverages---are recommended to help eliminate kidney stones.

Why Dietary Changes Work

• According to Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, simple changes in your diet can eliminate more than one-half of all kidney stone recurrences. In general, when planning to make changes to your diet, keep five factors in mind; sodium, protein, oxalate, calcium, and fluids.

  Water is perhaps the single-best dietary aid for kidney stones. Drink one large glass every other hour over the first 24-hour period; after that, continue to flush out your system by drinking water regularly. Use distilled water, or spring water if distilled is not available. Tap water is not recommended as it can cause more harm than good, as it contains fluoride, which is not only harmful for overall health but also increases your chances of kidney-stone formation.

Cranberry Juice

• Cranberry juice has a longtime reputation for helping control kidney stones, although there have been arguments over the past few years regarding its efficacy. Initially it was considered beneficial for its diuretic properties and its ability to fight the infections that cause struvite stones, which make up about 15 percent of kidney stones. However, the idea later emerged that cranberry juice should be avoided due to its oxalate content. Many people now believe that the juice's oxalate content does not increase the amount of oxalate in kidney stones, and that cranberry juice can be beneficial in dissolving the stones.

Vinegar

• Vinegar is also considered excellent for preventing and curing kidney stones, as the acids present in vinegar help soften and dissolve the stones. Distilled vinegar and commercial-quality vinegars commonly found in stores are not recommended. Instead, use cider vinegar of the specialty kind, and look for cider vinegar that has been aged in charred oak kegs. Take 1 tbsp. before every meal with lemon juice, honey and water or in salad dressing.

Kidney Beans

• Surprisingly, kidney beans are among the best remedies for treating all kidney disorders, especially kidney stones. Find fresh kidney beans and remove the beans from the pods, then slice the pods. Boil 60g of the pods in 4 liters of water for about six hours. Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth and cool it for eight hours. Strain the unstirred liquid again through the muslin. Drink a glass of this liquid every two hours for the first 24 hours; after that, drink it several times a week. The liquid loses its therapeutic efficacy after 24 hours, so you will need to make fresh batches.