Overview

A low oxalate diet restricts the intake of foods high in oxalates, natural compounds found in many plant-based foods. This diet manages conditions such as kidney stones by reducing oxalate absorption. Common restrictions include nuts, certain vegetables, and fruits. Consultation with a healthcare professional is advised for personalised dietary guidance.

Medical professionals may advise diets low in oxalate to address several ailments, especially kidney stones. According to current studies, low oxalate diets may not be essential for avoiding kidney stones and other disorders. Your body creates oxalate, commonly known as oxalic acid. It also occurs naturally in various foods, such as cereals, nuts, vegetables, and fruits.

Food Lists

Reducing high-oxalate foods is recommended by doctors in certain medical conditions.

Eat a diet rich in foods low in and moderately high in oxalate; a few high-oxalate meals shouldn't raise your risk of kidney stones. Foods typically do not have labels indicating how much oxalate is in them. Although many physicians would recommend 50 mg or fewer, a low oxalate diet is defined as less than 100 mg per day.

0-9 mg of Oxalates per serving. Foods such as asparagus, apricots, artichokes, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cherries, yellow squash, zucchini, strawberries, romaine lettuce, raisins, plums, pineapple, peas, pears, peaches, papaya, onions, mango, grapefruit, and grapes are examples of foods that contain 0–9 mg of oxalates per serving.

Corn, flour tortillas, white bread, wheat bread, barley, oat bran, oat flour and white rice are a few types of low-oxalate grains and starches. Meat, chicken, fish, eggs, yoghurt, cheese, milk, and butter are low-oxalate protein and dairy products. Furthermore, foods regarded as low in oxalate include coffee, water, and fruit juice.

10-25 mg Oxalates per serving. Some foods with moderate levels of oxalate content contain 10–25 mg. Tomato sauce, avocado, lentils, lychee, olives, parsnip, peanut butter, pecans, pistachios, pomegranate, red kidney beans, refried beans, squash, sunflower seeds, and tahini are some of these dish items.

Even if the low-oxalate diet does not always advise consuming foods high in calcium, it is still advantageous, mainly if you consume foods with higher oxalate levels. Foods high in calcium include dairy, cheese, nuts, seeds, yoghurt, sardines, beans, lentils, almonds, rhubarb, and calcium-fortified bread and cereals.

How does it work?

According to certain studies, consuming more oxalate may result in more oxalate being excreted in the urine, which may lead to the formation of kidney stones. On the other hand, boosting your calcium consumption could be a valuable strategy for kidney stone prevention. This method offers an option to cut out foods high in oxalate completely.

Increasing your calcium intake can aid in reducing the amount of oxalate absorbed by your body, thereby preventing the formation of kidney stones. Even when participants reached the daily recommended calcium intake, ingesting excessive oxalate levels did not raise the chance of developing calcium oxalate kidney stones, according to 10-person research.

- Decreases the risk of kidney stones. An unbalanced consumption of oxalates and calcium, known as calcium oxalate crystals, is linked to kidney stones. By eating a low-oxalate diet and receiving adequate calcium, kidney stone production can be avoided.
- Helps with the hypothyroid state. Hypothyroidism and related symptoms may result from thyroid gland dysfunction in the thyroid and other glands with elevated oxalate concentrations.
- Deals with vulvodynia. Vulvodynia is a medical disorder that causes burning, discomfort, and irritation at the vaginal opening. For the relief of vulvar discomfort, doctors often recommend a low-oxalate diet, even if the exact cause of the ailment is still unknown.
- Aids in avoiding problems from cystic fibrosis. It has been discovered that kidney stones are more common in people with cystic fibrosis and that their urine contains more oxalates. Eating a low-oxalate diet may help avoid hyperoxaluria and other cystic fibrosis problems.
- Potentially beneficial for those with autism. For kids diagnosed with autism, a low-oxalate diet can be advised. According to studies, children with autism may have poor renal excretion, making it more difficult for them to expel toxins from their systems properly. They could have gut dysbiosis, which might lead to oxalates leaving the intestines and crossing blood borders, which would induce neurological issues and behavioural abnormalities.

When to consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Nephrology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Many foods, such as specific kinds of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and grains, naturally contain oxalates. Renal calculi containing calcium oxalate may develop as a result of excessive oxalate excretion in the urine. Some people attempt to prevent this by reducing their oxalate intake, which may help reduce the chance of kidney stones.

FAQ

Q. How long does a low-oxalate diet take to start showing results? A. Usually, medical professionals advise sticking to the diet for three to six weeks to see if your symptoms improve.

Q. How can oxalate be rapidly reduced? A. Drink plenty of water to aid in the body's removal of extra oxalates. As calcium binds to oxalates during digestion, ensure you get the required quantity.

Q. Which risks come with following a diet low in oxalate? A. The idea of oxalate dumping might be unsettling to people considering adopting a low-oxalate diet. Oxalate dumping happens when you reduce your intake of oxalates too rapidly. Symptoms include weariness, dizziness, soreness, and irritation.

Q. How do oxalates get out of your body? A. The kidneys filter out excess oxalate from the body, which is then excreted in urine. When too much oxalate mixes with calcium, kidney stones and crystals may develop.

Q. Is a low-oxalate diet appropriate for everyone? A. For people who run the risk of developing kidney stones, a low-oxalate diet is medically required.

References

- https://www.verywellfit.com/the-low-oxalate-diet-pros-cons-and-what-you-can-eat-5199579
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-a-low-oxalate-diet