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by Arnold Kuntz Ph. D. (Author)
Oxalate is a naturally occurring molecule found in abundance in plants and humans. It's not a required nutrient for people, and too much can lead to kidney stones. In plants, oxalate helps to get rid of extra calcium by binding with it. That is why so many high-oxalate foods are from plants. A low-oxalate diet is a meal plan that is low in oxalate. Oxalate is a chemical found in plant foods. You may need to eat foods that are low in oxalate to help clear kidney stones or prevent them from forming. People who have had kidney stones are at a higher risk of forming kidney stones again. The most common type of kidney stone is made up of crystals that contain calcium and oxalate. Your healthcare provider or dietitian may recommend that you limit oxalate if you get this type of kidney stone often. If you are at high risk for kidney stones, lowering the amount of oxalate that you eat may help reduce this risk.However, research indicates that boosting your intake of calcium-rich foods when you eat foods that are high in oxalate may be a better approach than simply eliminating it from the diet. As they digest, oxalate and calcium are more likely to bind together before they get to the kidneys, making it less likely that kidney stones will form. Foods that are high in vitamin C can increase the body's oxalate levels. Vitamin C converts to oxalate. Levels over 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day have been shown to increase oxalate levels. Taking antibiotics, or having a history of digestive disease, can also increase the body's oxalate levels. The good bacteria in the gut help get rid of oxalate, and when the levels of these bacteria are low, higher amounts of oxalate can be absorbed in the body.Drinking enough fluid each day can help clear kidney stones or even keep them from forming. Spreading your intake of liquids throughout the day is ideal. Choosing water over other drinks is preferable. Avoid eating too much animal protein, as this can cause stones to form. Getting enough calcium is also helpful. Getting too little calcium can increase the amount of oxalate that gets to the kidneys, which will increase the risk of kidney stones. Lowering your salt intake can also lower your risk of kidney stones. High-salt diets tend to cause more calcium to be lost in the urine. The more calcium and oxalate in the kidneys, the greater the risk of kidney stones.
