DrCarney.com Blog
Salty Foods Boost Kidney Stone Risk
Think again if you think dehydration, bad genes, overweight, gout, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract infection, Crohn's disease, and cystinuria are the only things that can give you kidney stones. In 2014, researchers at the University of Parma, Italy, made an interesting observation from their study; they found out that generous consumption of a compound present in almost all foods could increase your chances of developing kidney stones. Guess what this substance is? Sodium Chloride! Table Salt!
In this study, the researchers collated and analyzed data on the association between the odds of developing kidney stones and salt consumption rates. The research team observed a high incidence of kidney stones among individuals on high-salt diets. The findings of another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that reduction in salt intake decreases the rate of calcium excretion and consequently the odds of developing kidney stones.
Kidney stones are relatively common. Approximately, 6% of women and 11% of men will develop kidney stones at least once in their lifetime. Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like pieces of materials that develop in one or both kidneys. The size of a kidney stone varies; it can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Some of the symptoms associated with kidney stones include pain, nausea, difficulty in passing urine, and in severe cases kidney disease. Of the different types of kidney stones, calcium stones are the most commonly occurring type. A high-salt diet promotes the excretion of calcium via the kidney and increases the risk of stones forming in the kidney.
In order to lower our risk of developing kidney stones, we need to remove salty foods from our diets. Cheese, processed meats, chips, restaurant dishes, and baked goods made from refined flour are high-sodium foods that should come off from our plates. Processed foods are the greatest sources of salt in the American diet. Getting these salt mines out of our diets can substantially decrease the incidence of kidney stones among Americans.
Additional Information:
(1) Can a Plant-Based Diet Prevent/Treat Kidney Stones?
(3) Kidney Disease and Kidney Stones
One Hour Phone Consult with Dr. Carney
Telephone Food Coaching Sessions with Linda Carney MD
Due to demand for nutritional advice, Dr. Carney's offers Starch-Smart® System "Dietary Care Extraordinaire" Food Coaching telephone sessions. The first sessions is always one hour. Subsequent sessions can be thirty minutes or one hour:
Click Here For 60 Minute Food Coaching Session
Please Note: Food Coaching sessions are not medical appointments and are not intended to replace your own physician. No tests will be ordered and no prescriptions will be provided.
Controlling Cravings: Have you ever asked yourself "Why did I eat that?" Get science-based answers, now! Gain freedom from addictions. Understand underlying causes. Make lasting changes more easily than ever. Strengthen your ability to choose healthy foods through empowerment from Dr. Carney's Starch-Smart® System. Let's boost your 'biochemical willpower' for good. Help is here, from Linda Carney, MD, for all who struggle with bad habits, food fixations, and cravings.
Preview the "Why We Do What We Do?" Trailer
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.