**6. Role of dietary habits in stone formation**

Among various risk factors of urolithiasis, food is considered as one of the important modifiable risk factors in the kidney stone disease. According to the study conducted by Maalouf et al. [36] states that a load of protein diet in food will lead to increased calcium excretion. This may lead to increased risk for kidney stone formation. High amount of protein diet induces acid load in the body because of production of protons during the metabolism by sulphur containing amino acids and also there will be increased calcium excretion followed by high protein diet [36]. In addition to this high intake of animal protein leads to increased concentration of calcium, oxalate, uric acid and phosphorus in the urinary tract. There are various mechanisms involved which may lead to increased concentration of these substances in the urine and may lead to the formation calculi [37]. High intake of carbohydrates and lipids also have shown similar effects on the urinary composition. Furthermore, less intake of fruits and vegetables may also act as risk factor for urolithiasis even though some of them will be rich in oxalates [38]. High intake of sodium in the form of excess of common salt is noticed in case of many industrialised countries lead to more calcium deposition in kidney. The role of magnesium and vitamin C in the kidney stone formation is still not clear. Few studies have reported with no significant association with stone formation, whereas the effect of these nutrients on urinary composition shows its role in urolithiasis [39]. Thus, most of the studies support the fact that there is a relation between dietary habits and kidney stone formation, although contradictory results are also available.


#### **Table 1.**

*Role of various food stuffs on kidney stone formation.*

In the present chapter we are discussing in detail about the role of diet in KSD, so that we could summarise important preventive dietary habits for the urolithiasis (**Table 1**).
