Urinary tract stones are a common ailment in the summer, mainly including kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones.
The formation of stones is not only related to daily water intake but is primarily caused by diet. The formation of different types of stones is caused by a patient's long-term excessive intake of a certain type of food. To prevent the occurrence of urinary tract stones, one should not be too picky in their daily diet, nor should they overindulge in a particular food just because it is tasty or highly nutritious. It is essential to pay attention to food pairing, strive for a balanced nutritional intake, and maintain a suitable acid-base balance in the body. Even if a medical examination reveals a deficiency of a certain nutrient that requires supplementation from a specific food, it is not advisable to consume a large amount at once, to avoid overburdening the metabolism of various systems, including the urinary system, due to temporary indigestion and poor absorption.
If patients can promptly send the expelled stones for testing to determine their type, they can achieve the goal of adjuvant therapy by avoiding or reducing the intake of certain foods—
For patients with calcium oxalate stones: Accounting for over 80% of stones, they form in acidic or neutral urine and are more common in young and middle-aged men. Avoid foods high in oxalic acid, such as spinach, beans, grapes, cocoa, tea, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, plums, and bamboo shoots.
For patients with calcium phosphate stones: These stones form in alkaline urine and are also more common in young and middle-aged men. Avoid foods high in calcium, such as milk, egg yolks, dried shrimp, tofu, sesame paste, as well as vegetables and fruits that are high in calcium and have a high alkalinity value.
For patients with uric acid stones: These stones form in acidic urine and are more common in men. Avoid foods high in purines, such as animal organs, fatty meat, pork brains, chicken, hairtail, yellow croaker, shrimp, cocoa, and coffee. Vegetables that are relatively high in purines, such as peanuts, chestnuts, spinach, cauliflower, and shiitake mushrooms, should also be avoided or consumed as little as possible. At the same time, avoid high-protein foods to reduce uric acid production.