Diet Restrictions Cut Kidney Stone Recurrence 49%
A low-salt, low-animal protein diet and increased water consumption reduced the recurrence of calcium oxalate stones in men with idiopathic hypercalciuria. After 5 years on this diet, men with a history of renal stones had a 49% lower risk of recurrence compared to men on a low-calcium diet with high-water consumption. Oxalate excretion was decreased in men on a low-salt, low-animal protein, normal calcium diet had a decreased in oxalate excretion and increased in men on a low-calcium diet.
     Both diets were associated with drops in calcium excretion, calcium oxalate production, and relative calcium oxalate saturation. The low-protein, low-salt, normal-calcium diet had a greater reduction in calcium oxalate product and relative calcium oxalate saturation.
     The low-calcium diets required the men to avoid oxalate-rich foods, such as walnuts, parsley, spinach, rhubarb, and chocolate, which had the effect of limiting calcium intake to 10 mmol/day. The stone recurrence-reducing diet required a limit to the consumption of protein, especially from animal sources, salt, and oxalate-rich foods, while maintaining a normal to high intake of calcium and consuming 2-3 L of water per day.
(Jeff Evans, Senior Writer. Internal Medicine News. April 1, 2002)