What Causes Stone Disease and How to Prevent It

Stones are usually caused by irregular lifestyle habits, a diet high in greasy and heavy foods, and genetic factors.

I. Causes of Stones

1. Diet – Consuming too many greasy and rich foods can lead to stone formation.
2. Lifestyle habits – Skipping breakfast, for example, affects gallbladder function. After eating at night, the gallbladder contracts once. If no food is eaten until late the next morning, the gallbladder remains full for up to 11 hours. This stagnant bile in a distended gallbladder can easily form gallstones.
3. Hormonal factors – Women tend to have higher estrogen levels, which can increase cholesterol saturation in bile and reduce gallbladder tone, promoting cholesterol deposition and gallstone formation.
4. Genetics – Some families have a higher predisposition to gallstones, indicating a genetic component. Thus, stones can have a hereditary aspect.

II. Prevention of Stones

1. Drink plenty of water and avoid holding urine – This helps flush out stone-forming substances and bacteria from the urinary tract.
2. Limit beer consumption – Beer contains high levels of calcium, oxalate, and purines. Excessive intake can promote the deposition of stone-forming substances in the urinary system.
3. Reduce intake of high-protein and high-fat foods – Limit consumption of meat and animal organs. Excessive intake can disrupt purine metabolism, increase uric acid levels, and lead to urinary stones.
4. Avoid excessive salt – Salty foods burden the kidneys and impair metabolism, causing stone-forming substances to accumulate in the kidneys and body.
5. Be cautious with spinach – Spinach is rich in oxalic acid, a key component in the formation of oxalate urinary stones.

In summary, stone formation is closely related to lifestyle and diet. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, undergo routine check-ups, and seek early treatment if stones are detected.

Section	Item	Details
Causes	1. Diet	Excessive greasy / heavy foods promote stone formation.
	2. Lifestyle	Skipping breakfast → gallbladder remains distended ≥ 11 h → bile stasis → gallstones.
	3. Hormones	High estrogen (esp. women) ↑ cholesterol saturation & ↓ gallbladder tone → gallstones.
	4. Genetics	Family history / gene variants ↑ risk of gallstones.
Prevention	1. Hydration	Drink plenty of water; do not delay urination—flushes stone-forming substances & bacteria.
	2. Alcohol	Limit beer (rich in Ca²⁺, oxalate, purines) to reduce urinary deposition.
	3. Diet macro	Cut high-protein & high-fat foods; restrict meat / organ meats to control purine → uric-acid stones.
	4. Salt	Lower salt intake to lessen renal load and solute accumulation.
	5. Oxalate	Consume spinach cautiously (high oxalate → oxalate stones).
Summary	—	Stones link to diet & lifestyle. Advised: drink water, exercise, regular check-ups, treat early.