Kidney Stone Diet: Tips From A Renal Dietitian

[@HikingUtah]

I drink just under 2 1/2 liters of water a day, and it's the bane of my existence. I have no idea how anyone could drink 3 liters a day for the reset of their life.

[@teeniequeenie8369]

My dog had cysteine stones years ago and I’m always trying to keep his kidneys healthy so any tips and info is super appreciated.

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Hello! Unfortunately we don't specialize in canine or other animal nutrition :/ There are likely a lot of similarities, but since we are not veterinarians or animal science/nutrition specialists, we cannot make recommendations on that.

[@jameskantor0459]

Really really good interview. Doing my 24 hour urine collection today. Calcium is getting lower but the last time it was still 368.

[@MehOnCommenting]

This was so helpful! The description of patients being given a list of high oxalate foods and being told to avoid them was spot on in my experience and has left me so confused. I love raw spinach, and thought it was ok since it's also high in calcium, but I'm pretty confident it was a factor for me. This video also has me relieved since I consume a lot of nuts, seeds, beans, and other moderate to high oxalate foods that are nutrient dense and don't want to give them up. Looking forward to finding out more from the urine test and hopefully getting better guidance at that point. I feel more prepared for that step now, thank you!

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

So so happy this episode helped you and that you feel more prepared now!

[@jameskantor0459]

If there was one food, I would avoid it would be spinach since it’s like 700 mg and a half a cup

[@RAHIWAadeyNayGdiniyu]

@@jameskantor0459 I think you should cook it instead of avoiding it completely. Cooking spinach can significantly reduce its oxalic acid content by 30-90%, depending on the cooking method. And you can add a squeeze of lemon. Many ancient cultures don’t just consume high oxalate foods. It is treated with at most care. Either is soaked, sprouted, fermented, roasted, cooked or milled with digestive enzymes (spices and herbs)

[@reba5679]

I am a long time stone-former, but not anymore! Stopped eating plants and started eating high meat protein diet- primarily red meat. So happy!

[@Mary-4b2]

Very helpful ! Great tips and advice interesting

[@happyvegancouple]

I’ve been waiting a long time to hear a discussion on kidney stone prevention. Thank you for this interview. However, I find it surprising that on a plant-based kidney health KZbin channel, the dietitian keeps bringing up dairy products as a source of calcium; also considering that most of the world is lactose intolerant, this doesn’t make sense to me either. I would suggest a follow up to this conversation with several examples of eating throughout the day for plant-based eaters. When you asked the question about examples for three meals a day the dinner entrée was fish. Later she talks about fish oil being helpful. Is that because of the omega-3 fatty acids? If so, why not talk about algae pills which provide that rather than fish oil. I don’t think this talk was really geared for a plant-based channel. More specific knowledge on daily eating for plant-based eaters would still be incredibly helpful.

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Thank you for your feedback and for tuning into the episode. Our goal with the channel is to encourage people to eat more whole, plant foods and reduce animal protein. Some people go 100% plant based or vegan and some people less. Getting adequate calcium is important in kidney stone prevention, but we can definitely have a follow up with more details on how to do that on a fully plant based or vegan diet!

[@daisycocoa2557]

I liked her. A lot of information in a short period of time. My urologist never suggested a 24 hour urine analysis and didn’t take stones seriously at all. I wish she had gotten more into what that process was.

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Ugh sorry to hear your urologist didn't suggest a 24 hour urinalysis. It is so crucial for preventing future kidney stones! Melanie has great resources on her website!

[@znancymendoza]

I was put on a Low FODMAP diet about 5-6 months ago by my gastroenterologist. Dx. IBS or SIBO. On 5/31/2024, I had a sudden onset of right-side flank pain, the most severe pain I have ever experienced. I'm a 70 y.o. female, generally good health. I'm wondering if the low FODMAP diet may have been a contributing factor in the development of the stone.

[@jessicabibbs-fox2423]

Interesting that I stopped drinking coffee and now I’m having issues with kidney stones

[@liewinarto5115]

Kidney Stone diet, does it mean that the diet must omit tofu, tempeh and eggs? Why, or Why not, Doc?

[@jameskantor0459]

You can definitely have eggs I eat eggs all the time I think you can have tofu or Tempeh in moderation like the serving size the suggested on the package, then just have with other food and calcium

[@cobyteune]

I am a carnivore and I think I am the best off with that. Because I do not take carbohydrates from plant material in my body and all those carbohydrates are also all transformed into fructose and glucose in the body, so that is the same as taking just table sugar. And you say, that makes citric acid in the body be higher. And that is something that I notice you do not think about. Also eating carnivore has no oxalates in it. So when started I have been oxalate dumping and getting bladder infection because of that, but that is all over now. Drinking I always do more then enough.

[@SG45260]

It's so hard for me because having kidney stone attacks twice now I can't drink that much water, even 1 liter is not reasonable Can't have have a normal life day or night because I have a prolapsed bladder and cannot hold the urine long. What can I do?

[@reba5679]

Me too!

[@gomezfamily5585]

Thank you!

[@djjamad1416]

Great interview & informative. On point

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidcz381]

Thank you Michelle for posting this video. While Melanie mentioned high urine calcium as a bigger culprit for kidney stones than high urine oxalates, isn't so that taking in more than what the body needs for calcium balancing, increases blood calcium or does excessive calcium just gets excreted through as feces. In other words should we be mindful of too much dietary calcium? What is the optimal sweet spot for dietary calcium? Thank you.

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Of course! Melanie mentions that getting calcium from food vs calcium supplements is better because calcium supplements can increase urinary calcium. Studies on kidney stones have not found that to be the case with calcium rich food sources. For kidney stones, the daily calcium recommendation is ~1000-1200 mg/day.

[@davidcz381]

Thank you

[@kellypyzocha6183]

Good breakdown

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Thank you!

[@dayc5965]

While this was great info, I would have like to see Melanie expand more on phytates since this compound, as she mentioned, is much bigger inhibitor of stones than citrate. From what I know, phytates are found on all plant seeds (legumes,whole grains, seeds and nuts...). Also is it so that Potassium plays a role in the prevention of kidney stones? This wasn't mentioned. Lastly Melanie mentioned nondiary protein as a contributor of Stones. From what I know, plant protein isn't correlated with Stone formation but animal protein is. Dairy is considered animal protein, right?

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Great questions...Yes, eating more whole plant foods (especially fruits and veggies) and less animal protein is important for stone prevention. She specifies non dairy animal protein because of the research on calcium rich food sources (including dairy) being paired with higher oxalate meals helping to alter the urine chemistry favorably to prevent kidney stones.

[@Arugula100]

The guest speaker offered some good insights into kidney stones. But, she seems to be sowing doubt as well as casting fear about plant-based diet and promoting animal protein, disregarding that the majority of the world's population is lactose intolerant. Isn't phytate significantly reduced by pressure cooking and boiling? Her comments about vitamin C is interesting. In Japan, the government recommends eating fruits/foods (not as supplements) up to 2000 mg of vitamin C per day per person because their scientists found it has anti-aging effect and helps with bone regeneration. Japanese doctors recommend drinking 4 cups of water after waking up in the morning. In this country, we often hear about drinking 2 cups of water after waking up. Never 4 cups of water. Could the problems with vitamin C that she mentioned be due to Americans in general not drinking enough water, taking supplements of vitamin C instead of getting it naturally from fruits, and eating too much animal protein?

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Thank you for your feedback. Melanie discussed increasing fruits/veggies and whole plant foods and reducing animal protein. Vitamin C is best to get in food sources vs high dose supplements for both people with kidney disease and kidney stones.

[@fredlacroix6865]

would taking thiamine supplement help?

[@herbaljason9644]

She don’t care abt lectin or maybe she don’t know about it.

[@vince1229]

For a renal dietician she certainly talks a lot about high carb foods. The food pyramid people must be paying her well.

[@conniekline9881]

This was an excellent interview and information. I have had kidney stones off and on since 2014, when I had the invasive surgery. My goal after that was to avoid surgery as much as possible. I was given a low/no oxalate diet papers, because there are so many, and told there you go, now come up with a diet plan. I know I have triggers, such as: almonds, peanuts, chocolate, spinach, but the greatest problem is not drinking enough water (2.5-3 liters/day) with lemon in it. Dehydration is definitely a big problem with most people and can happen quickly. Thank you for this information, and I plan to look into your website.

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

So glad it was helpful for you! Yes, hydration is the number one thing to help prevent kidney stones!

[@urmero67]

The best and most comprehensive info out there regarding a diet to prevent kidney stones for us who have passed them and want to avoid this nightmare.Thank you so much!!

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Thank you! So glad you found it helpful! :)

[@nuday777]

Great info. Thank you!!

[@trinitymcabee1270]

Two lithotripsy and the worst pain ive ever felt in my entire life. The stints were the worst. Felt like i was dieing. 😢

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Ughh so so sorry to hear that! :/

[@c.catlover4080]

I thought it was oxa-late, not as dietician pronounces it oxa-lit.

[@thinktank3613]

Totally confusing

[@kemiodus590]

Can it reoccur again if you had kidney stones?

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Yes, if you have had a kidney stone in the past, you are more likely to have reoccurring stones. That's why understanding your 24 hour urine test and making diet/lifestyle changes are so important! That way you can help prevent reoccurring kidney stones.

[@Arugula100]

Kidney stones can definitely re-occur. After all, it us lifestyle related.

[@SG45260]

I've had attacks twice now, about 10 years apart. That's why I'm afraid of getting it again. Horrendous pain!@@Arugula100

[@AeceDece]

Excellent advice!

[@bdyesxvjanow]

Every time a question popped into my head, you asked the good doctor. Great interview!

[@tonycornwill9008]

Pump lemon juice into your body in glasses of water hourly.

[@frankvisco8279]

Are canned sardines in olive oil allowed in the context of your discussion in this video?

[@nancyvogelman]

Just observing my 80+ year old neighbor passing out, breaking hip because of zero salt in her diet, where they couldn't operate until she brought up her salt levels. Her prolapsed bladder she was diagnosed 20 years ago, I blamed it on all that water. The problem of drinking so much water is that the minerals are depleted. Now her muscles have deteriorated and she's back in the hospital. Hospital puts no salt in the food. As far as calcium, taking the Calcium Magnesium Zinc with D3 along with the low carb diet seems to be protecting me from kidney problems, and drinking lots of coffee plus red wine and cheese seems to work well on dissolving any stones. I did get burning on urination after eating spinach 3 days in a row, and have gone back to really avoiding plant foods altogether. Beef, even Wendy's burgers makes me feel the best and my blood pressure improves with them. Dr. Ken Berry has great advice on Carnivore diet.

[@nancyvogelman]

The second half, I meant to say "As far as myself", I'm taking Calcium Magnesium Zinc D3 for 4 decades, and seems to give me good bones and teeth and gums. Just the blood pressure might require more magnesium, according to my nutritionist. But the Sally Norton book on oxalates, "Toxic Superfoods" has made me aware of why not eating much plant foods and drinking coffee and red wine seem to prevent getting kidney stones. These are just my experiences. I am 77 now and feeling great except for some osteoarthritis and cholesterol issues, which I believe will be resolved with an RDA of magnesium and various glucosamine supplements, and some turmeric, etc. My initial research was "Dead Doctors Don't Lie" by a famous veterinarian, Dr. Joel Wallach, on minerals needed for survival.

[@beaulieuc8910]

Brilliant. isn't youtube briliant. great access to experts, i have just been diagnosed with kidney stones yesterday and wading through what I can or can't eat is a minefield. i only had 10 mins with my doctor and all she said was drink more water and avoid tea. It is ridiculous! There is too it than that, it is a major lifestyle change. I think I want to live a life that prevents kidney stones, breaks them up and so I don't have them getting bigger but the reality is that so much good food has oxalates in it, and in the real world, how can we manage that. uk

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

I'm glad you found this episode! Check out Melanie's website as she has tons of info and resources on preventing kidney stones! :)

[@ronthor5621]

The dietitian said ummm 10 times in the first minute and 33 seconds. I’m going crazy now!

[@acx2269]

What about low urine calcium levels and still having kidney stones?

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Would definitely recommend for you to go over the total urinalysis results with your urologist and renal dietitian so they can see what is off with urine chemistry and make specific dietary recommendations to help reduce risk of kidney stones! If you go to the links in the note section of this video, there are links to Melanie's website with a lot more information!

[@Rich-kw2fh]

Valuable advice and well appreciated. But Melanie should slow her speech as it's difficult to catch all that she says. I missed some important points in that regard due to the fast speech tempo and the habit of voice trailing off to incoherence near the end of a thought.

[@ddutton4716]

Click on the gear settings symbol, click on playback speed, clink on .75.

[@KMF3]

Is fish protein also acidic?

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Fish is positive PRAL (acidic). All animal flesh protein is. However, fish is not as high PRAL (potential renal acid load) as chicken, pork and fish. A 3 ounce portion of fish usually ranges from +6-9 PRAL where chicken, beef pork are usually +11-15 (for a 3 ounce portion). So very important to pair with veggies to off set the acid load.

[@KMF3]

@@PlantBasedKidneyHealth thanks for getting back to me and giving me this information I really appreciate it

[@vince1229]

The renal "dietician" took 31 minutes to mention magnesium and didn't say that avocados are high in potassium (which along with magnesium and vitamin K2 reduce arterial and kidney calcification) and is not loaded with fructose like most fruit. She recommended eating oats and various soy milks which spike your blood sugar and insulin...on a kidney diet.

[@brittjuri2383]

Oatmeal spikes insulin? Ugh…is this true. I’m soo confused as I finally thought I found the perfect breakfast….oatmeal with a bite of yogurt on top??

[@MM-wu6fl]

Can you talk about gluten free substitutes?

[@nc2316]

Agree, that’s very important!

[@nc2316]

Difficult to follow. She speaks too fast and her explanations are all other the places…I’d rather Michele explains it!

[@SindeePalomino]

keep studying the topic You'll find the more you know, the easier it is to absorb and understand all she's saying. She actually does a good job, there are just so many different factors that influence a clear answer, it makes it hard for an interview for lay people to understand. Michelle is simply minimizing the information for those with no background, but you can get that kind of answer from a doctor visit. Most of us are researching the matter for a reason and to correctly implement the information, we need all the details; people who don't research to this level, that she gives, are the ones who say, "it didn't work" when it actually can Don't stress. Listen to it repeatedly and you'll start to understand it better, after the TMI effect dissapates, no worries!

[@cooganbeggs4942]

couldn’t disagree more. I thought she was incredibly knowledgeable and this is one of the best videos i’ve seen on this topic

[@GlennFortier-w2i]

did not mention soybeans. I read they are high in oxalates

[@PlantBasedKidneyHealth]

Soybeans are higher in oxalates. Soymilk and tofu not as high as soy beans, flour or tempeh.