Firstly, it is important to note that the fact that you have crystals of calcium oxalate in the urine test does not mean that you will have kidney stones, or that there will be harm to your health.
Some people are predisposed to have kidney stones of repetition and in these people research is needed to ward off metabolic diseases.
In patients presenting with kidney stones, usually symptomatic (leading to renal colic), radiological investigation (with tomography or ultrasound) is necessary to determine the amount and size of the stones, since a surgical approach may be necessary, as well as research on metabolic disorders that may be associated with predisposition to formation of calculi. These disorders are associated with an increased presence of calcium, uric acid or oxalate, or decreased citrate in the urine, and should be dosed on a 24-hour urinalysis.
THE diet is very important in the treatment of recurrent kidney stones and some guidelines should be followed:
intake of liquids of at least 2.5 liters per day. Matte and black teas should be avoided because they contain oxalate. Lemon and orange juices should be consumed because they are rich in citrates (considered inhibitors of the formation of stones);
avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages. These beverages are rich in purines, which should be avoided by patients with hyperexcretion of uric acid.
do not restrict calcium-rich foods, such as milks, cheeses and yogurts. Dark green vegetables should also be consumed;
increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits, since the low intake of potassium is a risk factor for renal lithiasis;
reduce the consumption of processed and preserved processed products by the excess of sodium present in these foods;
avoiding the intake of simple carbohydrates, as these increase the excretion of calcium in the urine;
- avoid excessive consumption of meat, because it has a high content of purines, increasing excretion in urine of uric acid;
- include in the diet foods rich in phytates, such as whole grains, legumes and oilseeds, as these reduce the chance of formation of stones;
- avoid vitamin C supplementation by increasing the excretion of oxalate.
Patients with recurrent kidney stones should be followed by a nephrologist and a urologist.
