Deepak Chopra, MD - Weekly Health Tip: Drink Water to Prevent Kidney Stones
The kidneys are the hubs of the body's plumbing system. In any plumbing system, a steady supply of water keeps the whole operation flowing. In the kidneys, waste products carried by the blood are filtered out and converted into urine, which is sent on its way to the urinary bladder. There, it is stored until it is eliminated. Certain minerals in the waste products can accumulate in the kidneys, forming solid stones. The narrow urethra is not an ideal place for a sharp-edged stone to pass through. Anyone who has ever passed a kidney stone will assure you that it is wise to take precautionary measures to head off their formation. Fortunately, for most people, getting the equivalent of 8 to 12 cups of water a day should do the trick.
Replacing the water lost through sweating and waste elimination is vital to our health. Drinking water throughout the day is a good start. We also get up to 20 percent of our daily intake of water from juicy fruits and vegetables: melons, apples, pears, cucumbers and greens are good choices. People with a history of kidney stones may be advised by their physician to avoid foods high in certain minerals found in their stones. Regardless of your risk of developing kidney stones, your body benefits in multiple ways when you drink ample water every day.
Learn more about preventing the formation of kidney stones:
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