Does keto cause kidney stones or not?

#1

My general practitioner says it’s just the higher than urologist recommended protein and high oxalates typical of many when they try to eat the diet, and that if these are kept low, the risk is no different than a normal diet.

However my urologist told me it increases the risk in general.

Ncbi has many articles but none provide reasoning that shows why kidney stones are more prevalent on keto, yet all confirm that the prevelance of stones is higher on the diet.

One study gives this mysterious gem:

“CONCLUSIONS: The ketogenic diet induces several metabolic abnormalities that increase the propensity for stone formation. Urologists should be aware of this potential complication.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/10893623/

From that it doesn’t sound like it is just high protein and oxalates as those are not “abnormalities” and could easily be controlled.

I think they don’t know. It’s not been studied enough to say exactly why. So we have confirmation that it does make stones more likely, but only speculation on why.

If someone knows something I don’t please share :slight_smile:

Edited to fix part accidentally and incorrectly implying keto is a high protein diet.

#2

Keto is not a high protein diet. I actually need to up my protein macro because it’s been consistently low on my blood work.

(The amazing autoimmune 🦄) #3

This post has a whole bunch of I guesses and maybes with no proof. Just my best guess as a person who has passed a lot of stones.

There are anecdotal cases on the forum about people who no longer make new kidney stones just passing old stones that have been recorded previously in a ct scans and no new stone formation that is also medically recorded. Keto can cause stones that you already have to pass , which is good because then they won’t get bigger. It probably occurs because of increased water intake.

My guess as a person who gets 2-3 passing every year is that Keto kidneys function differently, just one example is that salt passes through the kidneys much more quickly. There are several reputable doctors who have YouTube videos that discuss this change in the kidneys. Because of this change, in my opinion stones no longer form or form less stones. There have been no long term studies done on stone formation and Keto.

I am guessing that something about highly processed carbs or just a high carb plus protein does cause stone formation, but I am betting that less than 20 grams of carbs plus protein at 25% of dietary calories is not going to cause stones.

We will see…

(Robert C) #4
#5

I had kidney stones before KETO, and I didn’t eat much protein, but I did eat a lot of carbs!

(The amazing autoimmune 🦄) #6

I was a vegetarian and still got 2 to 3 stones a year so the protein equals stones theory Doesn’t quite work

#7

I’ve had 45 kidney stones since age 29, I’ll be 69 on March 18. I had one very small stone about five months ago that was probably not a product of Keto. But I sure had 44 stones while eating high carb and high sugar.

(The amazing autoimmune 🦄) #8

Yeah. I think there is a relationship between carbs and stones. Which is hilariously ironic as they tell everyone it’s the protein.

When my new doctor(5 years ago) told me to cut the protein, I told him I was a vegetarian. Then he said you’re not drinking enough, I told him I actually measure my water intake and drink 2-3 liters a day. Two being a minimum. He looked at me like he didn’t believe me, my hubs was there and he was like she’s telling the truth.

I was really worried about this as I started this WOE, but not anymore. I actually think Keto has helped to reduce my current stones sizes. Before Keto my last 4 had to be removed surgically and blasted as well.

Edit:now that I have watched the video, it just reinforced all of my guesses. But I still haven’t seen any hard science on this just an explanation w/o proof.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

Watch the video @RobC posted. It’s very clear, and she explains how going keto can be a problem as well as a solution. This lady knows her stuff.

(Windmill Tilter) #10

The Dr. Boz video was great! Thanks for posting that. Really reinforced that cheating on keto is not an option for me.

-Nick

(Mark) #11

The Ketogenic diet is not a high protein diet!!! Set him straight!! :slight_smile:

#12

@RobC

Thanks! Are there any studies to back this up? Many studies show stone creation and growth during keto. Where are the ones that show what the doctor is discussing, that show keto melting stones?

#13

Ha! Yeah I’ll edit my op. I did keto for two years and knew this already. What I was trying to convey was that many eat more protein than urologists recommend when on keto. Not that the keto diet itself is high protein.

(Robert C) #14

Sorry, I have not heard of any studies either way.
Dr. Boz seems legit so I wouldn’t ignore her but also, it seems like common sense.
It seems like going into and out of Keto could lead to issues.