How to Naturally Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common -- and very painful -- affliction from which people of all ages suffer. Since treating and passing kidney stones can be extremely uncomfortable, people who are prone to this affliction should use preventative measures to avoid getting stones. While medical practitioners use an extensive variety of methods to curb kidney stone formation, 10 steps in particular are well within the capabilities of most people and do not entail making drastic changes to your lifestyle.

Regularly Exercise

• Getting plenty of exercise helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. As kidney stones are often synonymous with inactive lifestyles, make a point of regularly going for walks and engaging in other fitness activities that involve a fair amount of movement. In addition to hampering the development of kidney stones, consistent exercise is key to maintaining good blood pressure and heart health. For best results, devote at least a half-hour each day to exercise.

Stay Hydrated

• Keeping hydrated is an important step in curbing kidney stone development. Studies have shown that kidney stones go hand-in-hand with dehydration and are particularly prevalent in hot, humid areas. For this reason, doctors recommend that the average person drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Drinking the doctor-recommended amount of water each day will also help provide a number of other health benefits, including toxin-flushing, cell-nourishing and acne prevention.

Avoid Spicy Food

• To help avoid kidney stone formation, the less spicy your food, the better off you are. Medical studies have revealed that, worldwide, a higher rate of kidney stone development occurs in areas where spicy food is regularly consumed. Thus, you should consume foods such as hot peppers, chili and curry in careful moderation. You don't have completely avoid spicy dishes; instead, just reduce your consumption of them.

Limiting Sweets

• Limit your intake of foods that are high in sugar to help prevent kidney stones. Research has shown that a direct link exists between excessive sugar intake and the formation of kidney stones. If you have a sweet tooth, look for baked goods and confections that are low in sugar or sugar-free, a step that can also play a role in curbing weight gain and diabetes.

Avoid High Oxalate Foods

• Avoiding foods that are high in oxalate is another dietary measure that you should practice to prevent kidney stones. Such foods include soybeans, chocolate, peanuts, wheat germ and spinach, which is particularly important for people whose urine contains a large amount of oxalate. However, you can still consume such medium-oxalate foods as strawberries, red raspberries, celery, grapes and liver in moderation.

Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium

• Studies have linked low levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium to the development of kidney stones. To keep your calcium levels healthy, make sure to drink plenty of milk and regularly eat such fruits as oranges and papaya. If you suffer from a magnesium or potassium deficiency, you should consume green vegetables on a regular basis. While dishes high in fiber generally complement the aforementioned foods nicely, fiber can sometimes hinder calcium absorption.

Limit Salt Intake

• In addition to being one of the prime culprits for high blood pressure and heart disease, excessive salt intake can give way to kidney stones. Consciously limiting the amount of salt with which you season your food and purchasing foods that are low in sodium can help in the prevention of kidney stones. If you simply can't do without salt, natural sea salt is a healthier alternative to refined salt.

Drink Wisely

• Choosing your beverages wisely is another simple way to help prevent kidney stones. Drinking grapefruit juice, for example, exponentially increases the likelihood of kidney stone development, prompting many medical professionals to advise avoiding it altogether. Curiously, some studies indicate that drinking caffeine-heavy beverages like coffee and tea hinders the development of kidney stones, while other research suggests that caffeine aids in the growth of stones. For this reason, you are advised to take a middle-of-the-road approach to ingesting these popular drinks.

Citric Acids

• Regularly consuming foods that are high in citric acid, like lemons, limes and oranges, can help impede the formation of kidney stones. Additionally, these foods feature high alkaline levels, which can help balance your body's pH levels. Unbalanced pH levels, on the other hand, can cause your body to extract calcium from your bones and ultimately play a role in kidney stone development.

Meat and Dairy

• Excessive meat and dairy intake can give way to kidney stones, as well as heart disease and clogged arteries. Processed meats and cheeses are some of the worst offenders. By limiting your dairy intake to two servings a day and avoiding large servings of meat, you can help your overall health, while hampering the development of kidney stones at the same time.