of reducing the excretory load of calculogenic compounds on the kidneys. Dietary recommendations to minimize the formation of kidney stones include increasing total fluid intake to achieve more than two liters per day of urine output; limiting cola, including sugar-sweetened soft drinks; to less than one liter per week. limiting animal protein intake to no more than two meals daily (an association between animal protein and recurrence of kidney stones has been shown in men); increasing citrate, or alkali intake, including from lemon and lime juice. However, citric acid does not alkalinize urine like alkali citrate, which is citrate bonded with sodium, potassium and magnesium. This is because when citrate is metabolized (mostly by liver and some by kidney), the protons in citric acid will neutralize the bicarbonate generated, so that no net effect on blood or urine pH will occur. Reducing sodium intake is associated with a reduction in urine calcium excretion. Maintenance of dilute urine by means of vigorous fluid therapy is beneficial in all forms of kidney stones, so increasing urine volume is a key principle for the prevention of kidney stones. Fluid intake should be sufficient to maintain a urine output of at least per day. A high fluid intake may reduce the likelihood of kidney stone recurrence or may increase the time between stone development without unwanted effects. Calcium binds with available oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. Reducing oxalate absorption decreases kidney stone risk in susceptible people. Because of this, some doctors recommend increasing dairy intake so that its calcium content will serve as an oxalate binder. Taking calcium citrate tablets during or after meals containing high oxalate foods may be useful if dietary calcium cannot be increased by other means as in those with lactose intolerance. The preferred calcium supplement for people at risk of stone formation is calcium citrate, as opposed to calcium carbonate, because it helps to increase urinary citrate excretion. Aside from vigorous oral hydration and eating more dietary calcium, other prevention strategies include avoidance of higher doses of supplemental (since ascorbate is metabolized to oxalate) and restriction of oxalate-rich foods such as leaf vegetables, rhubarb, soy products and chocolate. However, no randomized, controlled trial of oxalate restriction has been performed to test the hypothesis that oxalate restriction reduces stone formation. Some evidence indicates magnesium intake decreases the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. Urine