Oxalic acid, also called oxalate, is a substance found in a wide variety of foods, including beets, rhubarb, spinach, lamb, chocolate, nuts and black tea. If you consume a diet that is high in oxalic acid and low in calcium, you may develop a disorder called enteric hyperoxaluria. Oxalate and calcium are also two main components in the formation of kidney stones.
Hyperoxaluria
The presence of enteric hyperoxaluria greatly increases your chances for the development of kidney stones, according to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. In addition to general low calcium intake, you may develop hyperoxaluria as a result of adequate calcium intake that does not occur at normal meal times. You may also develop the condition if you consume a diet that contains too much fat, the University of Wisconsin reports.
Calcium
Calcium offsets the effects of oxalate by binding with it and making it unavailable for absorption in your intestines, the University of Wisconsin explains. If you eat a high-oxalate diet, you can avoid hyperoxaluria by maintaining a daily intake of roughly 1,000 milligrams of calcium. To gain the protective benefits of this calcium, you will need to consume it at meal times. Drinking a small glass of milk with your food will typically provide a sufficient source of this mineral.
Kidney Stones
Calcium and oxalate can combine to form calcium oxalate kidney stones, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). You may develop these stones as a symptom of hyperoxaluria, or as the consequence of excessive calcium absorption. Factors that may increase your risks for excessive calcium include the use of calcium-based antacids or diuretics. In some cases, you may also develop calcium oxalate stones as a result of intestinal bypass surgery or the presence of chronic bowel inflammation, the NKUDIC reports.
Oxalic Acid Considerations
Only 20 percent of individuals with calcium oxalate stones also have hyperoxaluria, the University of Wisconsin notes. In these cases, lowering consumption of high-oxalate foods may lower the risks of stone development. However, for most people, restrictions in oxalate consumption have no effect on kidney stone formation. In addition, foods that contain oxalate frequently have high nutritional value, and the University of Wisconsin recommends consulting with your doctor before omitting these foods from your diet.
Calcium Considerations
If you consume a high-calcium diet, you can offset your risks for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation by drinking plenty of fluids and eating a diet rich in phosphate and potassium, according to the New York Times Health Guide. You can also lower your calcium-related risks by decreasing your protein consumption and restricting your intake of sodium. Consult your doctor for additional information on the formation and prevention of calcium oxalate stones.
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