Final answer:
To decrease the intake of oxalates and prevent kidney stones, it is advised to avoid high-oxalate foods like chocolate and nuts, ensure adequate dietary calcium intake, follow a low-protein diet, drink sufficient water, and, if necessary, take medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of kidney stones are made from calcium oxalate and dietary modifications can help decrease intake. To prevent the formation of kidney stones, it is recommended that you:
- Avoid foods high in oxalates, such as chocolate, nuts, soybeans, rhubarb, and spinach.
- Maintain an adequate intake of dietary calcium which can help reduce the absorption of oxalate from the intestines.
- Consume a diet low in protein, nitrogen, and sodium, which can help reduce urinary excretion of calcium by the kidneys.
- Drink enough water to produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day.
- Consider taking drugs such as thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, or allopurinol if prescribed by a healthcare professional, depending on the cause of stone formation.
Some fruit juices like orange, blackcurrant, and cranberry may also be helpful in lowering the risk factors for specific types of kidney stones.