Does Milk Cause Kidney Stones? What You Should Know

Milk is a staple in many people's diets, especially here in America’s Dairyland, and it’s often considered a healthy choice. However, the possibility of painful disruptions to your daily life from kidney stones can quickly turn people away from drinking milk—does milk really cause kidney stones?
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In this article, we'll skim fiction from facts and get to the bottom of what you may have heard about milk and kidney stones. Plus, we’ll provide tips for reducing your risk of developing kidney stones in general.

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What are the Different Types of Kidney Stones?

First, it’s important to understand that there are various types of kidney stones, most of which simply couldn’t be caused by drinking milk. 

• Struvite stones: Struvite stones are often the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI), and drinking milk won’t cause you to have one.
  
• Uric acid stones: Uric acid stones are often the result of excessive protein, typically from animal meat.
  
• Cystine stones: Cystine stones—the rarest type of kidney stone—are caused by cystinuria, a rare disorder that leads to an abnormally high amount of cystine in the  urine.
  

However, the misunderstanding that surrounds milk and kidney stones stems from one type of kidney stone:
Calcium stones: Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone. They are caused when calcium combines with substances in your urine—typically oxalate, but also phosphate in some cases.

Does Calcium Cause Kidney Stones?

Despite what the name ‘calcium stone’ suggests, calcium isn’t the culprit you might expect it to be. Calcium itself is unlikely to lead to the formation of kidney stones. This is because when calcium forms a kidney stone, it occurs after combining with substances like oxalates, which are found in foods like spinach, peanuts, most types of potatoes, and many more.

A common misconception is that by avoiding calcium-rich dairy milk, you can avoid kidney stones. However, while milk is rich in calcium, it doesn’t have oxalates. Thus, drinking dairy milk won’t cause kidney stones. 

On the other hand, non-dairy milks aren’t as rich in calcium as dairy milk, but, being derived from nuts and other plants, they typically have oxalates. This means your risk for kidney stones could potentially increase if you substitute dairy milk for a plant-based milk.
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The notion that calcium can lead to kidney stones is dangerous, as calcium is an essential mineral for the body. Consuming an appropriate amount of calcium each day through food and drink not only reduces your risk for kidney stones, but also has health benefits such as:

• Helping build and maintain strong bones
• Helping your body release and regulate hormones
• Assisting with muscle contraction

Other Causes of Kidney Stones

Drinking milk won’t cause kidney stones, but other dietary factors like consuming too much salt, sugar, and meat can contribute to kidney stones. That said, kidney stones can be caused by a variety of other factors, such as:

• Certain medical conditions: Conditions like gout and inflammatory bowel disease can also cause kidney stones.
  
• Medications: Some medications, notably diuretics and things like calcium-based antacids (when used long-term), can increase your risk of developing a kidney stone.
  
• Obesity: Being obese or overweight is associated with a higher risk of developing kidney stones.
  

If you’re concerned about your kidney health, speak to your physician or nephrologist to learn more.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Kidney Stones

To avoid developing kidney stones, consider the following strategies for mitigating your risk:

• Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking enough fluids, especially water, is the most reliable way to reduce your risk of kidney stones. Ample fluids help your kidneys flush waste from your body and lower your risk of kidney stones. Consuming too few fluids forces your kidneys to do the same amount of work with less resources.
  
• Watch your diet: Too much salt, sugar, and meat can increase your risk for kidney stones. Additionally, if you’ve formed calcium oxalate stones in the past, you may want to consult with a dietician about a personalized diet lower in oxalates. 
  
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of kidney stones. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can not only reduce your risk for kidney stones, but can also reduce your risk for other serious health conditions such as heart disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  
• Talk with your physician or nephrologist: Speaking with your physician or nephrologist is essential for the best health outcomes for your kidneys. Communicating your concerns can ensure that your full health is being taken into consideration. For example, if you’re concerned about kidney stones, your healthcare provider may reassess other aspects of your health to ensure that things like your medications aren’t increasing your risk for kidney stones.

Questions About Kidney Health? Turn to Milwaukee Nephrologists

In the end, milk doesn’t cause kidney stones, and cutting milk from your diet won’t stop you from developing them. The best way to reduce your risk of kidney stones is to stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet, and work with healthcare professionals to manage your medical conditions. 
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Your quality of life depends on organs like your kidneys, and being concerned about them is normal. If you have more questions about your kidney health, don’t delay. To schedule an appointment, contact Milwaukee Nephrologists’ kidney specialists today.