A low-oxalate diet can benefit those with kidney stones and other chronic conditions. Oxalates are organic acids found in plants, animals, and humans, and excess levels can cause inflammation, pain, and irritation. A low oxalate diet involves eating meat, dairy, and eggs, while limiting high-level foods like spinach and almonds. The diet can also improve bowel function and may benefit those with conditions like thyroid disease and autism. Some rare conditions require a very low oxalate diet.
A low-oxalate diet can benefit kidney stone sufferers, as well as those with many other chronic conditions. Oxalates are organic acids that occur naturally in plants, animals, and humans. Only when there is an excess or sensitivity to them are there problems such as kidney stones, inflammation, pain and irritation of the tissues and mucous membranes. They are excreted in the urine, but because they crystallize in the structure when combined with calcium, they can irritate vulvar tissue and cause vulvar pain.
Too much oxalate in the bloodstream can deplete glutathione levels, which metabolizes many of the toxic environmental chemicals that enter the body. There may be a link between excess oxalate in the body and conditions such as thyroid disease, vulvodynia, calcium oxalate kidney stones, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and autism. The amount of this organic acid is determined not only by food intake, but also by the ability of intestinal bacteria to degrade oxalate, by the permeability of the intestinal wall, by kidney function, and by the capacity for internal synthesis in the body. The benefits of a low oxalate diet may only be a partial solution to the problem if the other causes are not addressed.
An acceptable amount for those on a low-oxalate diet is between 40 and 60 milligrams per day. The levels present in food can vary depending on factors such as the type of soil in which the food has been grown, the climate and cooking methods. A very general guideline for a low oxalate diet is to eat meat, dairy, and eggs, which are very low sources of oxalate. Plant foods and virtually all nuts and seeds are from low to high sources. Some examples of high-level foods are almonds, spinach, soy milk, potato, and tomato.
The problem of oxalates in the body is closely related to intestinal problems and intestinal function. People who have these problems find that one of the benefits of a low-oxalate diet is better bowel function. Others who follow this diet but did not have any initial kidney problems have experienced improvements in other chronic conditions. There are some conditions, such as type II absorptive hypercalciuria, enteric hyperoxaluria, and primary hyperoxaluria, that require a very low oxalate diet. These are very rare conditions where the recommended oxalate level is equal to about 1/4 cup of raw spinach.
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