Short Answer: Liquid I.V is bad for kidney stones because it has high sodium and glucose content.
Kidney stones are a condition that affects your urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
In kidney stones, your body forms hard deposits of minerals and salts that can block the flow of urine and cause pain, infection, or kidney damage.
This can lead to various health problems, such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and urinary tract infections.
One of the key factors in managing kidney stones is diet.
What you consume can affect your urine composition, which can impact your kidney stone symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage kidney stones, you should consume calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and dark green vegetables and avoid oxalate-rich foods like spinach, chocolate, nuts, and tea.
You should also limit sodium intake, as it can increase calcium excretion in urine.
Additionally, you should drink plenty of fluids, especially water and citrus juices, to dilute your urine and prevent stone formation.
Now, liquid I.V is a supplement that claims to provide hydration and electrolytes.
People usually mix it with water and drink it before or after exercise, travel, or illness.
Liquid I.V is not recommended for kidney stones because it contains high amounts of sodium and glucose.
Sodium can increase the risk of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones by increasing calcium excretion and reducing citrate levels in urine.
Glucose can increase the risk of uric acid stones by increasing insulin resistance and lowering urine pH.
One packet of liquid I.V can give you 500 mg of sodium (21% of your daily needs) and 11 g of glucose (4% of your daily needs).
These amounts are too high for people who are prone to kidney stones.
Sodium can negatively affect kidney stones by increasing urine calcium levels and reducing urine citrate levels.
Calcium and citrate are two important factors that influence stone formation.
High calcium levels can promote crystal growth, while low citrate levels can reduce the ability of urine to dissolve crystals.
Glucose can negatively affect kidney stones by increasing insulin resistance and lowering urine pH.
Insulin resistance can impair the kidney’s ability to excrete uric acid, which can form crystals in acidic urine.
Low urine pH can also increase the solubility of calcium phosphate, which can form stones in alkaline urine.
Furthermore, liquid I.V is a powder supplement and supplements are not advisable for kidney stones.
Because, they may contain ingredients that are not well regulated or tested for safety and efficacy for kidney stones.
They may also interact with other medications or supplements that you are taking.
That’s why I suggest you limit your liquid I.V intake to avoid kidney stone complications.
Stick to water or citrus juices as your main sources of hydration.
If you need electrolytes, choose natural foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, or dairy products.
Also, you shouldn’t drink liquid I.V if you have diabetes or high blood pressure to prevent worsening your condition.
Because it contains high amounts of glucose and sodium that can raise your blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing kidney stones effectively.
I always recommend my kidney stone patients to follow a kidney stone-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
