Idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis is a multifactorial disease with a complex 
pathogenesis due to genetic and environmental factors. The importance of social 
and health effects of nephrolithiasis is further highlighted by the strong 
tendency to relapse of the disease. Long-term prospective studies show a peak of 
disease recurrence within 2-3 years since onset, 40-50% of patients have a 
recurrence after 5 years and more than 50-60% after 10 years. International 
nutritional studies demonstrated that nutritional habits are relevant in therapy 
and prevention approaches of nephrolithiasis. Water, right intake of calcium, 
low intake of sodium, high levels of urinary citrate are certainly important for 
the primary and secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis.