Kidney stones are painful mineral deposits that form in your kidneys, and diet plays a big role in preventing them from coming back. A new review looked at how well patients stick to dietary recommendations after having kidney stones and found that only about 3 out of 10 patients actually follow the advice their doctors give them. The research identified why people struggle with these diets—things like not understanding the recommendations, having other health conditions, and false beliefs about kidney stones. The good news is that doctors can help patients do better by explaining things clearly, creating personalized meal plans, and using technology like apps and video visits to keep patients on track.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How well patients follow dietary recommendations to prevent kidney stones from coming back, and what strategies help patients stick with these diets
- Who participated: This was a review of existing research about kidney stone patients, not a single study with participants. It looked at multiple studies examining patient behavior and diet adherence
- Key finding: Only about 30% of kidney stone patients actually follow the dietary recommendations their doctors give them to prevent future stones. The main reasons people don’t follow the diet include not fully understanding the recommendations, having other health problems, and believing false information about kidney stones
- What it means for you: If you’ve had kidney stones, following a special diet can significantly reduce your chances of getting them again. However, this review shows that most people struggle with this. The good news is that working closely with your doctor, using apps to track your diet, and getting clear explanations about why the diet matters can help you succeed where others have failed
The Research Details
This is a mini review, which means researchers looked at multiple existing studies about kidney stone patients and how well they follow dietary advice. Instead of doing their own experiment with patients, they gathered information from other published research to understand the bigger picture. They examined what makes some patients successful at following kidney stone prevention diets while others struggle. The researchers also looked for strategies that doctors and healthcare systems use to help patients stick with these diets, including things like better education, personalized meal plans, and technology tools like smartphone apps and video doctor visits.
Understanding why patients don’t follow kidney stone prevention diets is important because kidney stones are very painful and expensive to treat. If doctors can figure out how to help patients stick with dietary changes, they can prevent many people from experiencing the pain and cost of another kidney stone. This type of review is valuable because it brings together information from many different studies to find common patterns and solutions that work
This is a review article, which means it summarizes existing research rather than conducting a new study. The strength of this type of research depends on the quality of the studies it reviews. The findings are based on patterns seen across multiple studies, which makes them more reliable than a single study. However, readers should know that this review doesn’t provide the strongest level of evidence—that would come from a large, carefully controlled experiment. The review is helpful for understanding the general landscape of the problem and identifying promising solutions, but specific recommendations should be discussed with your own doctor
What the Results Show
The review found that patient adherence to kidney stone prevention diets is surprisingly low, with only about 30% of patients actually following their doctor’s dietary recommendations. This means 7 out of 10 patients are not doing what their doctors suggest. The research identified several key reasons why patients struggle: many don’t fully understand why the diet matters or how to follow it, some have other health conditions that make the diet harder to manage, and some believe false information about kidney stones and diet. The review also found that these problems are worse in people with less education and lower income, suggesting that access to clear information and resources is a major barrier.
The review identified several strategies that appear to help patients do better with kidney stone prevention diets. Clear communication from doctors—explaining the diet in simple terms and why it matters—makes a big difference. Personalized meal plans that fit a patient’s specific situation and preferences work better than generic advice. Regular check-ins with healthcare providers help keep patients motivated and on track. Technology tools like smartphone apps that help track diet and water intake, and telemedicine (video visits with doctors) also show promise for improving adherence. The review suggests that combining multiple strategies works better than relying on just one approach
This review builds on existing knowledge about kidney stone prevention by focusing specifically on why patients struggle to follow dietary advice. Previous research has shown that diet is important for preventing kidney stones, but this review adds important information about the real-world challenge of getting patients to actually follow these diets. The findings align with what researchers have learned about other chronic diseases—that simply telling patients what to do isn’t enough. Like with diabetes or heart disease management, kidney stone prevention requires ongoing support, clear communication, and tools to help patients succeed
This review has some important limitations to understand. First, it’s a summary of other studies rather than new research, so its conclusions depend on the quality of those studies. Second, the review doesn’t specify exactly how many studies were included or provide detailed information about the research methods used. Third, the studies reviewed may have been done in different countries with different healthcare systems, so the results might not apply equally to everyone. Finally, the review doesn’t provide specific numbers or percentages for many of the strategies mentioned, making it harder to know exactly how much each strategy helps. Readers should discuss these findings with their own doctor to understand how they apply to their specific situation
The Bottom Line
If you’ve had kidney stones, work with your doctor or a dietitian to create a personalized eating plan that fits your life. Understand why the diet matters—knowing that it can prevent painful, expensive kidney stones in the future is motivating. Use technology tools like apps to track your water intake and diet. Have regular check-ins with your healthcare provider to stay on track and adjust your plan if needed. Ask questions if anything is unclear, and let your doctor know about any challenges you’re facing. These steps appear to significantly improve success rates, though individual results will vary
This information is most important for people who have had kidney stones and want to prevent them from coming back. It’s also relevant for family members of kidney stone patients who want to understand how to support them. People at high risk for kidney stones (those with family history or certain medical conditions) should also pay attention. However, this review is not meant to replace personalized medical advice—everyone’s situation is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. If you have kidney stones or think you might be at risk, talk to your doctor about your specific dietary needs
Seeing benefits from dietary changes for kidney stone prevention takes time. It typically takes several months to a year of consistent diet adherence to significantly reduce your risk of kidney stone recurrence. Some people may see benefits sooner, while others might take longer. The key is consistency—sticking with the diet over the long term is what matters most. Don’t expect immediate results, but think of dietary changes as an investment in your future health and comfort
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily water intake (aim for the amount your doctor recommends), log meals to monitor sodium and protein intake, and record any symptoms or concerns. Most kidney stone prevention diets focus on staying hydrated and limiting certain minerals, so tracking these specific elements will show you whether you’re on the right path
- Use the app to set daily reminders for drinking water throughout the day, get notifications when you’re eating foods that might increase kidney stone risk, and schedule weekly check-in reminders to review your progress. The app can also help you find kidney stone-friendly recipes and meal ideas that fit your preferences
- Review your app data weekly to see patterns in your diet and hydration. Share this data with your doctor or dietitian during regular check-ins so they can see how well you’re following the plan and make adjustments if needed. Track not just what you eat, but also how you feel—noting any symptoms can help your healthcare provider understand what’s working and what isn’t
This review summarizes research about kidney stone prevention diets but is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Kidney stone prevention requires individual assessment because different types of kidney stones need different dietary approaches. If you have had kidney stones or think you might be at risk, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes. This information is educational and should be discussed with your healthcare provider to determine what’s appropriate for your specific situation. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat kidney stones on your own.