Can The Carnivore Diet Cause Kidney Stones?

The carnivore diet is gaining popularity these days. One of the things that people want to know before embarking on this journey is how it affects their kidney functions. Can the carnivore diet cause kidney stones?

Let’s find out here.

Can the Carnivore Diet Cause Kidney Stones?

Thankfully, the carnivore diet doesn’t cause kidney stones. Rather, kidney stones form because of calcium oxalate accumulation. These calcium oxalates form from chocolate, spinach, and peanuts, among others.

Unfortunately, the oxalates can attach to each other and grow to create a stone.

There’s no scientific research about meat consumption causing kidney failure. In that case, if you start this diet, it won’t cause you to form kidney stones. However, if you have pre-existing kidney disease, this diet may increase the risk of kidney damage.

If you are worried about forming kidney stones, you should drink enough water each day. Experts recommend drinking at least 2 liters a day.

Indeed, you will urinate more frequently when you drink that much. But it’s necessary so that calcium and uric aid won’t build in your system.

Causes of Kidney Stones

Calcium oxalates are the most common causes of kidney stones. They are found in many healthy foods, such as nuts, legumes, chocolate, vegetables, and tea, among others.

Although meat can cause a uric acid stone, protein in the carnivore diet isn’t that high compared to a standard diet.

Protein can cause a type of stone. It won’t happen if you only drink enough water.

There’s no research that found that kidney stones occur in people who follow keto diets.

Rather, if you’re diabetic and suffer from hypertension, you are likely to develop chronic kidney disease.

It can take a long time for kidney stones to form. When people report the stones to their doctors, their physicians would ask about their diet. They would say that they are on a low-carb diet. Upon hearing that, doctors would immediately conclude that it’s the cause.

Although you can’t rule out the carnivore diet as a possible cause for kidney stone formation, you must remember that there are various factors that can get you a kidney stone.

How to Remove Kidney Stones Naturally?

There are various remedies that people swear by when it comes to eliminating kidney stones.

But drinking enough water is the most popular.

If you don’t like to drink water, you should boost your fluid intake. That is, any fluid will do as it rehydrates you. But if you are trying to pass a kidney stone, it’s best that you avoid drinking alcohol, soda, tea, and coffee.

Lemon juice may also help in removing the stones, especially if it’s paired with olive oil. The juice has citrate that can break up the stones. The olive oil’s job is to flush the stones and eliminate them from your body.

You may also try apple cider vinegar. Drink it with water to help in breaking up the stones.

During my consultation with a homeopath, he recommended taking two capsules of magnesium three times a day for a week.

The result will be diarrhea.

He said that many of his clients have found relief by following this remedy. This is also useful if you’re trying to get rid of gall stones.

Magnesium can help in cleansing the system.

According to this study:

“Increasing consumption of magnesium appears to decrease the risk of symptomatic gallstones in men, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Understanding the role of a healthy diet in gallstone-related diseases, including a diet high in magnesium, may lead to new preventive measures.”

Taking magnesium is also beneficial if you’re constipated. This mineral can soften stool

Can an All Meat Diet Cause Kidney Stones?

The studies are not conclusive. As mentioned, eating all meat doesn’t necessarily lead to kidney stones. However, if you’re prone to stones, you should limit your meat intake per day.

Animal protein can boost uric acid levels.

It’s also vital to avoid stone-forming foods, such as spinach, tea, chocolate, and most nuts. They can contribute to kidney stone formation.

Does Keto Cause Kidney Stones?

It may have the potential to cause kidney stones. This research noted that among those who followed the keto diet for epilepsy treatment, most of them developed kidney stones.

But if they are supplemented with potassium citrate, they have decreased their likelihood of forming kidney stones.

If you wish to follow a keto diet, make sure that you avoid processed meats. They can increase your risk of kidney stones. Focus on eating grass-fed meat. And make sure that you only eat the recommended amount.

However, there’s not enough research to find out if keto can indeed cause kidney stones. But if you have kidney disease, you may want to avoid having a high-protein diet.

How to Prevent Kidney Stones?

Even if you don’t follow the carnivore diet, your body may still form kidney stones. Thankfully, though, there are ways to prevent kidney stone formation.

Eat Calcium and Oxalate-Rich Foods Together

Oxalate is found in fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, grains, legumes, and tea. Eating them in moderation can be beneficial to prevent calcium oxalate stone formation.

If you cut these foods from your diet, it may reduce the likelihood of calcium oxalate formation. However, it’s not a smart move.

Instead of eliminating them from your diet, consider eating calcium and oxalate-rich foods together. In that way, they are likely to bind in the stomach before they go to the kidneys.

Cut Back on Sodium and Not Calcium

Many people think that calcium is the culprit of their calcium-oxalate stones. As a result, they reduce their calcium intake. But this is wrong.

Instead of reducing calcium intake, you need to reduce your sodium intake. you should also pair calcium-rich foods with oxalate-rich foods.

Take Magnesium

As mentioned earlier, magnesium can help in cleansing your body. It can also flush out stones from your kidneys. If you wish to try out a magnesium remedy for your kidney stones, try taking 2 caps of magnesium three times a day for three days or one week. It may help in eliminating kidney stones or gall stones.

Summary

Can the carnivore diet cause kidney stones? It can’t cause kidney stones. If you wish to eliminate kidney stones, try taking magnesium supplements. Or talk to your doctor about it.