the kidneys keep your body clean by purifying blood and getting rid of water and toxins they filter out minerals and other things that we take in in our food and the things that we drink and sometimes those minerals can form deposits in the kidney nephrologist dr. Ivan Porter says sometimes those deposits grow into a stone and passed from the kidney and that's when patients develop pain some people have a genetic risk or a family history of stones workers who have less flexibility with bathroom breaks are also at risk for them think about teachers or truck drivers dr. Porter says a diet with too many animal source proteins I sodium foods and sugary drinks can increase your risk for stones calcium and vitamin D supplements can also contribute to them however eating low-fat dairy products with meals can protect against kidney stones and water can really ward them off make sure you're adequately hydrated you want to be able to make clear urine and keep that urine as clear as possible for as long as possible during the day.