It is a well-known fact that Sodium is very bad for the Kidney. A major cause of Kidney Stone formation is the high intake of sodium in their diets.
The most common advice doctors give to kidney stone patients is to have more water and reduce their sodium intake. Salts are asked to be reduced from meals so that the sodium intake does not exceed and form new kidney stones.
5 ways in how Sodium Affects Kidney Stones:
1. High salt content increases protein in the urine
When protein in urine increases, it causes damage to the kidney that leads to kidney failure. People already suffering from kidney problems are more sensitive to kidney failure and kidney stones if they have more salt intake.
2. Sodium causes Calcium to be excreted to Urine
Calcium, when discharged to the urine, combines with phosphorus and Oxalates to form Kidney Stones. Bringing down sodium content could help prevent calcium from being excreted into the urine.
3. High Sodium Content = Increased risk of Kidney Stones
Anything more than 2,400 mg of salt could result in Kidney Stone formation. Doctors always advise you to ensure that your daily meal does not exceed the recommended salt content so that you do not fall at the risk of developing Calcium Oxalate or Calcium Phosphate stones.
4. Processed and Fast foods could easily put you at the risk of Kidney Stones
Processed and Fast Foods are made up of alarming amounts of sodium that exceeds the single-serving sodium limit. That is why doctors ask you to limit the number of foods you buy from outside and advise you to have home-cooked meals.
5. The balance of Sodium & Potassium is disturbed
Excess water from the body is removed by filtering your blood through your kidney. When the balance of Sodium & Potassium is disturbed, the kidney functions poorly and removes less water resulting in high blood pressure. All this eventually leads to kidney diseases and kidney stones.
Sodium is one of the key factors in kidney stone formation, and limiting salt intake is crucial to ensure you do not develop kidney stones. Limit salt intake to limit the chance of developing kidney stones. Consult with your doctor to get the ideal consumption limit of sodium you could have per day.
