At first, many people who have kidney stones will find increasing their fluid intake to be extremely difficult. If they make a real effort toward increasing fluid intake, there will be a natural thirst that will develop within a month. Our bodies will adjust to the need for this normal level of hydration. Once this new level has been reached, a natural thirst will occur whenever fluid levels fall below the newly established level.

Having a high calcium level present in urine can be caused by a high intake of salt in the diet. Excess salt in the diet will cause an excretion of large amounts of calcium and this increases calcium in urine. Drinking more water will keep calcium levels lower in the urine. 

High amounts animal protein and sucrose should also be avoided in order to prevent kidney stones. However, high levels of potassium and magnesium will help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.

There is also a medication that may reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. This medication introduces high levels of citrate into kidneys. A similar increase in citrate can be achieved by drinking 4 ounces of lemonade daily.

Avoiding calcium is not advisable. In the past, people with high risk of kidney stone formation have been told to avoid high levels of calcium. A Harvard study suggests that men who have a high intake of calcium lower the risk of kidney stones by one third as compared to those who avoid calcium in their diets. Calcium blocks a chemical reaction in the body that causes kidney stones to form by binding with food oxalates in the intestines. However, the calcium increase has to come from foods rich in calcium and not calcium supplements. The Annuals of Internal Medicine from Harvard published a study in March, 1997 that says that although incorporating higher calcium foods reduce the risk of kidney stones by 35 percent, high calcium from supplements actually increase the risks of developing kidney stones by 20 percent.This same study states that those who eat foods rich in potassium (fruits, vegetables) reduced their risk of kidney stone formation by 50 percent. Conversely, those who ate foods high in animal protein increased the likelihood of kidney stone formation by 33 percent.

Addressing the prevention of kidney stones through diet and increased hydration is the wisest approach to good kidney health. As with many diseases, prevention is the best approach. Making these few changes in diet and water intake is not a very difficult task. It is well worth the effort in order to stay healthy and avoid kidney stones from forming at all.