In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the impact of oxalates in foods, particularly focusing on kale and spinach. They explore the nutritional value of kale, its low oxalate content, and how it can be a beneficial addition to a kidney stone prevention diet. The conversation emphasizes the importance of dietary variety and encourages listeners to embrace new foods while avoiding high-oxalate options. Jill shares insights on meal planning and the benefits of a diverse diet for overa...
Jul 22, 2025•13 min•Ep. 253
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet Podcast, hosts Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the challenges of passing kidney stones, emphasizing the pain associated with them and the various methods to alleviate that pain and facilitate stone passage. They highlight the importance of hydration, movement, and when to seek medical attention. Additionally, they stress the significance of prevention and provide resources for listeners to manage and reduce their kidney stone risk effectively. Takeawa...
Jul 15, 2025•11 min•Ep. 252
In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between avocados and kidney stones, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the nutritional benefits of avocados. They emphasize the importance of fiber and healthy fats in the diet, while also explaining the role of oxalates in kidney stone formation. The conversation concludes with resources available for kidney stone prevention. Takeaways Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable. They are high in fiber and healthy fa...
Jul 08, 2025•10 min•Ep. 251
In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between chocolate consumption and kidney stone risk, focusing on oxalate levels in dark and milk chocolate. They emphasize the importance of moderation and pairing chocolate with calcium-rich foods to mitigate potential risks. The conversation highlights the need for personalized dietary advice and the possibility of enjoying treats like chocolate while maintaining kidney health. Takeaways Chocolate contains oxalates, which ca...
Jul 01, 2025•9 min•Ep. 250
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, hosts Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the science behind kidney stone prevention, emphasizing the importance of urine collection and dietary changes. Jill shares her extensive experience as a kidney stone prevention nurse and explains the key components of the kidney stone diet, including hydration, sodium reduction, calcium intake, and the impact of sugar and meat consumption. The conversation highlights the need for a practical approach to ...
Jun 24, 2025•19 min•Ep. 249
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet Podcast, hosts Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between peanut butter and kidney stones. Jill explains the oxalate content in peanut butter and how it can affect kidney stone formation. They emphasize the importance of portion control and suggest alternatives for those concerned about oxalates. The conversation also touches on caloric considerations and the need to push back against overly restrictive dietary recommendations from healt...
Jun 17, 2025•11 min•Ep. 248
In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the latest research from Harvard on preventing kidney stones, focusing on dietary changes, particularly the importance of managing oxalate intake and ensuring adequate calcium and hydration. They emphasize the need for personalized dietary approaches and the significance of understanding individual health conditions in preventing kidney stones. What Harvard is telling us about preventing kidney stones Takeaways Harvard's research aligns with t...
Jun 10, 2025•19 min•Ep. 247
In this conversation, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in treating kidney stones. Jill shares her personal experiences with illness and emphasizes the importance of scientific evidence over anecdotal claims. They explore the limited research on apple cider vinegar's impact on kidney stones and suggest natural dietary alternatives for prevention. Takeaways Apple cider vinegar may not be effective for kidney stones. Personal experiences with illness shap...
Jun 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 246
In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between vitamin C and kidney stones, exploring how excessive intake of vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones, particularly in men. They emphasize the importance of a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables over supplements, and provide practical dietary recommendations for kidney stone prevention. Additionally, they share natural strategies to boost the immune system, highlighting the significance of hydration an...
May 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 245
In this conversation, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the implications of excessive protein intake, particularly through protein shakes, and its potential link to kidney stones. They explore the experiences of a young bodybuilder who faced health issues after consuming high amounts of protein powder without adequate hydration. The discussion delves into the complexities of kidney stone formation, the importance of balanced protein consumption, and the need for proper hydration and dietary aw...
May 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 244
In this conversation, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between diet, particularly lemonade, and kidney stone prevention. Jill emphasizes the importance of specific dietary guidelines and the role of citrate in preventing kidney stones. They explore the misconceptions surrounding lemonade as a remedy and advocate for healthier dietary choices, including fruits and vegetables, while stressing the need for urine analysis to tailor dietary recommendations. Takeaways Lemonade can ...
May 13, 2025•14 min•Ep. 243
In this conversation, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the misconceptions surrounding kidney stones and the healthcare system's approach to treatment. Jill emphasizes the importance of urine collection for understanding kidney stone formation and advocates for patients to take an active role in their health. They explore the dynamics between doctors and patients, highlighting the need for better communication and understanding of dietary impacts on kidney stone prevention. The discussion aims...
May 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 242
In this episode, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the relationship between soda consumption and kidney stones. They explore the importance of fluid intake, the types of beverages that can contribute to kidney stone formation, and the role of sugar and phosphoric acid in urine acidity. Jill emphasizes that while all fluids count towards hydration, water is the best choice, and she provides insights on how to enjoy sodas in moderation without increasing kidney stone risk. Takeaways Drinking eno...
Apr 29, 2025•13 min•Ep. 241
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, hosts Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss a listener's concern about potential kidney stones. They explore the symptoms, the importance of seeking medical attention, and the necessity of imaging to diagnose kidney stones accurately. Jill emphasizes the significance of dietary changes to prevent future stones and the role of urologists in managing kidney stone cases. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and proactive measures in deal...
Apr 22, 2025•11 min•Ep. 240
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, Jeff Sarris and Jill Harris discuss the importance of managing oxalate intake for kidney stone prevention. They emphasize that many people overemphasize the dangers of oxalate, leading to unnecessary dietary restrictions. Instead, they advocate for a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables while ensuring adequate calcium intake to effectively lower oxalate levels. Jill explains how calcium binds with oxalate in the gut, preventing its reabsor...
Apr 15, 2025•15 min•Ep. 239
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, Jill Harris discusses the critical signs and symptoms that indicate when someone should seek emergency care for kidney stones. Jill shares her extensive experience as a Kidney Stone Prevention Nurse, emphasizing the importance of recognizing severe symptoms such as intense pain, fever, and changes in urine color. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and the importance of timely medical attention to p...
Apr 08, 2025•15 min•Ep. 238
In this conversation, Jill Harris discusses the dietary factors contributing to kidney stone formation, emphasizing the importance of understanding oxalate levels in foods. She provides practical advice on which high-oxalate foods to avoid and offers insights into meal planning and cooking for kidney stone prevention. The discussion highlights the balance between dietary restrictions and enjoying food, aiming to reduce anxiety around food choices for those prone to kidney stones. Takeaways There...
Apr 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 237
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet Podcast, Jill Harris discusses the types of kidney stones, focusing on uric acid stones and their potential for dissolution. Jill emphasizes that while uric acid stones can be dissolved with the right dietary changes and supplements, calcium oxalate stones cannot. The conversation also covers prevention strategies for kidney stones, including dietary recommendations and the importance of urine collection for understanding stone composition. Listeners are ...
Mar 25, 2025•12 min•Ep. 236
In this episode, Jill Harris delves into the complexities of oxalate and its role in kidney stone formation. She discusses common misconceptions, the importance of using reliable resources like the Harvard Oxalate Food List, and practical dietary advice for managing oxalate intake. Jill emphasizes the significance of portion control and the need for a holistic approach to kidney stone prevention, including calcium intake and overall dietary balance. Takeaways Oxalate is often misunderstood and s...
Mar 18, 2025•14 min•Ep. 235
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, Jill Harris discusses the critical role of vitamin D in kidney stone prevention and overall health. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining balanced vitamin D levels, the risks associated with excessive supplementation, and practical advice for effective vitamin D intake. The conversation highlights the need for regular testing and the significance of taking vitamin D with healthy fats for optimal absorption. Takeaways Vitamin D is crucial f...
Mar 11, 2025•11 min•Ep. 234
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet Podcast, Jill Harris discusses the often-overlooked aspects of kidney stone prevention, particularly the significance of 24-hour urine collections. Jill emphasizes the importance of understanding urine collection results to effectively prevent kidney stones and improve overall health. The conversation also highlights the need for proper consultation and resources to aid in kidney stone prevention. Takeaways Preventing kidney stones is crucial for overall ...
Mar 04, 2025•12 min•Ep. 233
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, Jill Harris discusses the relationship between calcium supplements and kidney stones. She explores the importance of calcium in the diet, especially for individuals with osteoporosis, and the potential risks associated with calcium supplementation. Jill emphasizes the need for individuals to consult their doctors about their calcium intake and to consider obtaining calcium through food sources rather than supplements. The conversation also touche...
Feb 25, 2025•12 min•Ep. 232
In this episode of the Kidney Stone Diet podcast, Jill Harris discusses the critical role of sodium reduction in preventing kidney stones. Jill emphasizes the importance of hydration and the need to lower sodium intake to reduce the risk of kidney stones and manage other chronic health conditions. The conversation covers practical tips for reducing sodium in the diet, understanding the relationship between sodium and calcium, and the overall goals of the Kidney Stone Diet. Takeaways Lowering sod...
Feb 18, 2025•13 min•Ep. 231
In this conversation, Jill Harris discusses the nutritional implications of spinach, particularly its high oxalate content, which can lead to kidney stones. She emphasizes the importance of moderation in diet, especially for those with a history of kidney stones. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding healthy foods like spinach and almonds, and the need for awareness in dietary choices to prevent health issues. Takeaways Spinach is often recommended but can be harmful in e...
Feb 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 230
In this conversation, Jill Harris discusses the relationship between diet and kidney stones, focusing on the impact of leafy greens, calcium intake, and the importance of urine analysis. She addresses a listener's question about dietary choices and kidney stone risk, emphasizing the need for personalized dietary advice based on urine collection results. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding dietary oxalates, sodium, and urine pH levels in managing kidney stone formation. ...
Jan 28, 2025•15 min•Ep. 229
This conversation explores the implications of gluten-free diets, particularly in relation to kidney health. Jill Harris discusses how gluten-free diets often lead to the overconsumption of high-oxalate foods, such as almond flour, which can increase the risk of kidney stones. The discussion also highlights the importance of reading nutrition labels, as many gluten-free products contain high levels of sodium and sugar, which can further exacerbate kidney stone risks. The conversation emphasizes ...
Jan 21, 2025•13 min•Ep. 228
In this conversation, Jill Harris discusses the formation of kidney stones, emphasizing that it typically takes two to three years for stones to develop. She explores various factors that can accelerate this process, including diet, hydration, and genetic predisposition. Jill highlights the importance of following the Kidney Stone Diet to prevent stones and improve overall health. She also discusses the significance of conducting a 24-hour urine collection to understand individual risks and tail...
Jan 14, 2025•11 min•Ep. 227
In this conversation, Jill Harris, a kidney stone prevention nurse, discusses the popular natural remedy chanca piedra and its effectiveness in treating kidney stones. She emphasizes that while chanca piedra is often marketed as a 'stone breaker', it does not actually break up kidney stones. Instead, she advocates for dietary changes as the most effective way to prevent kidney stones. Jill shares insights on the importance of hydration, dietary choices, and lifestyle changes that can lead to sig...
Jan 07, 2025•11 min•Ep. 226
In this episode, Jill Harris discusses the relationship between osteoporosis and kidney stones, emphasizing the importance of calcium intake and hydration. She addresses a listener's question about managing osteoporosis while preventing kidney stones, highlighting dietary choices and the role of urine calcium levels. The conversation also touches on the significance of strength training for maintaining bone health as one ages. https://kidneystonediet.com/this-will-change-how-you-see-osteoporosis...
Dec 31, 2024•15 min•Ep. 225
In this conversation, Jill Harris discusses the misconceptions surrounding oxalates and kidney stones, emphasizing that diet plays a crucial role in kidney health. She explains that while oxalates are often blamed for kidney stones, they are just one part of a larger dietary picture. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining adequate calcium intake, managing sodium levels, and incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into the diet to promote overall health and prevent kid...
Dec 24, 2024•10 min•Ep. 224
