The Low Oxalate Diet: Treatment of Kidney Stones and Gut Disorders

The Low Oxalate diet has been shown to help the treatment and prevention of kidney stones, by minimizing the number of oxalates consumed through the diet. Oxalates are chemicals released by certain foods and the number of oxalates varies in each food we consume. Some foods high in oxalates are nuts & seeds, soy products, wheat, chocolate, raspberries, tangerines, kiwi, beets, and spinach. The way in which these foods can increase the risk of developing kidney stones is because when oxalates are produced, they tend to bind to Calcium and Iron. Foods high in Vitamin C also increase the risk of kidney stones, as they can be converted to oxalates in the body. When our urine becomes too highly concentrated with the mixture of oxalates, calcium, or iron, the formation of kidney stones occurs. The most common type of kidney stone is the Calcium Oxalate stone, formed when Oxalate binds to Calcium and builds up in the urine.

The way in which the low oxalate diet works is that it aims to limit the amount of oxalates consumed through food. People on this diet are recommended to consume less than 50 mg per day. Since oxalates are found more commonly in plant foods than animal foods, this diet can feel like a difficult diet to adopt and closely adhere to. Many fruits and vegetables can still be consumed on the Low Oxalate Diet, such as apples, bananas, grapes, melon, berries, broccoli, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, peppers, white potatoes, and mushrooms. Some other foods low in oxalate are oat bran, white rice, yogurt, cheese, milk, butter, water, and juice. If people are following a Kidney Stone Diet as well, they can feel even more restricted as it can limit the amount of Calcium consumed in the diet. The Low Oxalate diet can also be helpful in treating gut dysfunction and gut disorders. When lower levels of oxalates are consumed in people with gut bacteria, there is a better development of healthy gut bacteria in the microbiome. This healthy bacteria is then able to help degrade and get rid of oxalates in the gut and has been shown to help people with IBS, SIBO, and other gut-related disorders.

Written by:

Elizabeth Hoffman, Nutrition Intern Fall 2021

References:

Abratt, Valerie R., and Sharon J. Reid. “Oxalate-Degrading Bacteria of the Human Gut AS Probiotics in the Management of Kidney Stone Disease.” Advances in Applied Microbiology, 2010, pp. 63–87., https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2164(10)72003-7.

“Effect of Oxalates on Your Gut Microbiota, Kidney Health and How to Eat a Low Oxalate Diet.” Advanced Functional Medicine, 12 May 2021,

https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/low-oxalate-diet-australia/.

Link, Rachael. “Low Oxalate Diet: Overview, Food Lists, and How It Works.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 19 Nov. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/low-oxalate-diet#basics.

MGA, Sarah Pope, et al. “Benefits and Risks of Avoiding Oxalic Acid on a Low Oxalate Diet.” The Healthy Home Economist, 15 Nov. 2019, https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/low-oxalate-diet/.