what peptides are good for kidney health FAQ

A meta-analysis from the National Kidney Foundation found that people who produced 2 to 2.5 liters of urine daily were 50% less likely to develop kidney stones than those who produced less. It takes about 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses (about 2 liters total) of water daily to produce that amount.

Good sources include yogurt, soy products, beans, lentils and seeds. Dietary calcium binds oxalate in the intestines, so less gets absorbed and lower concentrations end up in urine.

Citrate, a salt in citric acid, binds to calcium and helps block stone formation. "Studies have shown that drinking 1/2 cup of lemon juice concentrate diluted in water each day, or the juice of two lemons, can increase urine citrate and likely reduce kidney stone risk," says Dr. Eisner.

A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. Federal guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg).

Eating too much animal protein, such as meat, eggs, and seafood, boosts can increase the risk of forming stones. If you're prone to kidney stones, limit your daily meat intake to a quantity that is no bigger than a pack of playing cards. Image: bhofack2/Getty Images

Kidney stones form develop when certain substances, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, become concentrated enough to form crystals in your kidneys. The crystals grow larger into "stones." About 80% to 85% of kidney stones are made of calcium. The rest are uric acid stones, which form in people with low urine pH levels. After stones form in the kidneys, they can dislodge and pass down the ureter (the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder), blocking the flow of urine. The result is periods of severe pain, including flank pain (pain in one side of the body between the stomach and the back), sometimes with blood in the urine, nausea, and vomiting. As the stones pass down the ureter toward the bladder, they may cause frequent urination, bladder pressure, or pain in the groin. "If you experience any of these symptoms, see your primary care physician," says Dr. Eisner. He or she will perform a urinalysis and may order a renal ultrasound or CT scan to confirm that kidney stones are the source of your pain.