[Effect of nutrition on the pathogenesis and metaphylaxis of urinary calculi]

A short historical review precedes an outline of the impact of eating habits and various nutritional factors on the pathogenesis of urinary stone formation. In the second part of the paper the place of restrictive dietary measures in prophylactic regimes is discussed. Apart from individual restrictions, the increased ingestion of certain foodstuffs may contribute to the successful prophylaxis of urolithiasis. This is documented on the basis of foodstuffs with a high content of citrate and magnesium. According to these findings an alteration of dietary and drinking habits should be a fundamental component of the management schedule of patients with urolithiasis.