Ultimo aggiornamento: 18 maggio 2026
Kidney stones are a top urological issue. Many patients come to see me after suffering from stone pain or complications. When I review their lifestyle and daily habits, there are clear risk factors that could have been prevented. Here are 8 evidence-based habits to minimize kidney stone risk.
- Centro di urologia Ospedale di Bangkok Thailandia Prenotazione online 02-310-3009 bhquro@bdms.co.th
- Ospedale Samitivej Sriracha Chonburi 088-022-1445
- Ospedale di Bangkok Siriroj Phuket Prenotazione online 099-424-1583 info@phuketinternational.com
8 habits to prevent kidney stones
- Bevi molta acqua – At least 2.5 litres per day, which reduces stone risk by up to 15%. In hot weather or high physical activity, increase intake to compensate for fluid lost through sweating.
- Maintain a healthy body weight – Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²) lowers urine pH, increasing uric acid stone risk. Combined with high-protein, high-sodium, and low-fiber diets, obesity doubles stone formation risk.
- Know your family history – Genetic factors increase urinary ion excretion. Having a family history of kidney stones raises your personal risk by 2.5 times. Regular ultrasound surveillance may be beneficial.
- Maintain moderate calcium intake – The majority of kidney stones contain calcium, but avoiding calcium actually increases stone risk. Optimal intake is 800–1,200 mg per day – not too much, not too little.
- Limit oxalate-rich foods – High oxalate intake significantly increases stone risk. Oxalate-rich foods include dark chocolate, tofu, spinach, potatoes, black tea, beans, rhubarb, and beetroot. Diversify your diet and keep oxalate intake below 50 mg per day.
- Moderate protein intake – Protein above 2 g/kg/day lowers urine pH and increases urinary calcium excretion, raising uric acid stone risk. Optimal protein intake is 0.8–1.4 g/kg/day, applicable to both animal and plant proteins.
- Avoid excess Vitamin C supplements – Ascorbic acid metabolizes into oxalate in the body. Taking more than 1,000 mg per day of supplemental Vitamin C increases stone formation risk by 40%.
- Increase citrate intake – Citrate from citrus fruits (lemon, lime) is a natural stone inhibitor. It raises urine pH and inhibits calcium oxalate crystal formation. The recommended intake is 4 ounces of pure lemon juice or 32 ounces of lemonade per day.
Per qualsiasi domanda, potete sentirvi liberi di discutere con me.
If you have a history of kidney stones or would like a personalized prevention plan based on your metabolic profile, Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone offers specialist consultations at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. Prenota una consulenza.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kidney Stone Prevention
Drinking at least 2.5 litres of water per day is the single most effective lifestyle measure for kidney stone prevention. Adequate hydration dilutes urinary mineral concentrations, reducing the likelihood of crystal formation. In tropical climates or during physical activity, additional fluid intake is needed to compensate for sweat losses. The goal is to keep urine pale yellow or clear throughout the day.
No. Counterintuitively, restricting calcium actually increases kidney stone risk. Low dietary calcium means more oxalate is absorbed from the gut and excreted in urine, where it binds with calcium to form stones. The recommended daily calcium intake is 800–1,200 mg from dietary sources. It is the excessive supplementation of calcium beyond dietary needs that may increase risk, not normal food-based calcium consumption.
Yes. Lemon juice is high in citrate, a natural inhibitor of kidney stone formation. Citrate raises urine pH, reduces calcium oxalate crystal aggregation, and directly binds urinary calcium to prevent it from forming stones. The recommended intake for stone prevention is 4 ounces of pure lemon juice or 32 ounces of prepared lemonade per day. This is a simple, inexpensive, and evidence-supported preventive measure.
Yes. High protein intake above 2 g/kg/day – particularly from animal sources – increases urinary calcium and uric acid excretion while lowering urine pH. This combination significantly raises the risk of both calcium oxalate and uric acid kidney stones. The recommended protein intake for stone prevention is 0.8–1.4 g/kg/day. Plant-based protein sources are generally preferable for stone-prone individuals.
Caution is advised. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is metabolized in the body into oxalate, a primary component of calcium oxalate stones. Taking more than 1,000 mg of Vitamin C supplements per day has been shown to increase kidney stone risk by approximately 40%. People with a history of calcium oxalate stones should limit Vitamin C supplementation and prefer obtaining it from natural food sources such as citrus fruits, guava, and bell peppers.
Disclaimer: Questo contenuto è redatto e revisionato dal Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone, urologo certificato presso il Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. È inteso solo a scopo educativo e non costituisce consulenza medica. Consultare sempre un professionista sanitario qualificato prima di iniziare qualsiasi trattamento medico.
Scritto e revisionato dal punto di vista medico da: Dr. Soarawee Weerasopon (Dr. Pom) – Urologo specialista, Ospedale Bangkok Sede Centrale. Fellowship Internazionali: Baylor College of Medicine (USA) · Juntendo University (Giappone) · Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan).
Il Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) è un urologo certificato presso la sede centrale dell'Ospedale di Bangkok, specializzato in Salute maschile, Chirurgia robotica (sistema Da Vinci) e trattamento dei calcoli renali. Ha completato borse di studio internazionali presso il Baylor College of Medicine (USA), il Juntendo University Hospital (Giappone) e il Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan). Tutti i contenuti medici di questo sito sono scritti e revisionati dal Dr. Soarawee sulla base della sua esperienza clinica e formazione internazionale.
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