Can Certain Foods Help Pass Kidney Stones?

When your kidneys are not functioning properly the collection of urinary wastes can develop into kidney stones. Because your kidneys work to filter out toxins, they can become blocked when stressed by diet or other physical considerations, and mineral deposits can begin to collect until finally they block the flow of urine. When these deposits increase in size, they become stone-like, causing painful symptoms such as lower back pain, pain in your groin, blood in your urine and discomfort while urinating. Kidney stones are generally composed of calcium and oxalate, uric acid, cysteine or struvite, which comes from urinary tract infections.

Human kidneys in 3D. (Image: decade3d/iStock/Getty Images)

Fresh Vegetables

Green peas. (Image: Howard Shooter/Dorling Kindersley RF/Getty Images)

Fresh vegetables, due to their fiber content, are important for helping your body pass kidney stones. Green peas, pumpkin and squash, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips and tomatoes are ideal vegetables to add to your daily menu. Made as fresh salads or lightly steamed, they will help cleanse your system while clearing the way for your kidneys to function more effectively. The higher chlorophyll content of vegetables such as asparagus, parsley and wheat grass is also very beneficial.

Fresh Fruits

Fresh watermelon. (Image: AlexStar/iStock/Getty Images)

Fresh fruits are essential for assisting your body in cleansing and passing kidney stones. Grapes, peaches, pears, pineapples, lemons, papayas, guavas and cranberries contain elements to help break down the acids that contribute to kidney stone formation. Watermelon is one of the best fruits for detoxifying your body. Freshly squeezed lemon in water before each meal is another way to help detoxify your system, providing it with a high dose of alkalinity, which makes it easier for acidic stones to dissolve.

Fiber

Bran cereal. (Image: Charles Brutlag/iStock/Getty Images)

Foods rich in fiber help to sweep out toxins while helping to rid your body of the excess calcium, oxalates and other acids that contribute to kidney stones. Unrefined oats and bran are excellent breakfast choices if you have, or want to avoid, kidney stones.

Herbs

Fresh basil. (Image: Image Source/Photodisc/Getty Images)

There are a host of herbs that help your kidneys to function properly while also assisting them in dissolving stones. These include nettle, bearberry, cleavers, corn silk, crampbark, gravel root, kava kava and hydrangia. Fresh basil leaves strengthen your kidneys, and are delicious when blended with purified water and a small amount of honey.

Water

Drink water often. (Image: Eduard Titov/iStock/Getty Images)

The more purified water you can drink, the better the chance of flushing out kidney stones. Two liters of water a day should be your goal. There are cases where kidney stones form due to your body becoming dehydrated, so make sure you keep yourself flush with the benefits of pure water.

Tips

Eat organic. (Image: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Try to eat only organically grown fruits and vegetables. This way you are not adding toxins created by pesticides and other contaminants, which can add insult to injury in the case of kidney stones.

Warnings

Calcium supplement. (Image: phasinphoto/iStock/Getty Images)

There are many warnings against eating excess calcium if you suffer from kidney stones. In this case, calcium supplements may be cause for concern, but not calcium found in foods. Consult your health provider if you have any doubts. Consult the herbal specialist in your local health food store if you have any concerns about any of the herbs listed above.