People with health conditions that affect their metabolism, digestive organs or nervous systems often are required to omit certain foods, additives or substances from their diet. The same is true of herpes sufferers, people who have had kidney stones or those with kidney infections. A low sodium oxalate and arginine diet benefits people with kidney infections, kidney stones or herpes.
Sodium Oxalate and Arginine
Oxalates are found naturally in your body and in several foods in the fruit, vegetable, grain and protein categories. Sodium oxalate is the sodium salt taken from oxalic acid. This substance leaves the body through urination and is excreted into the urine from the kidneys.
Arginine is an amino acid naturally made by the body. The Mayo Clinic explains that this amino acid may be useful in treating clogged arteries, chest pain, heart disease and vascular headaches. Although the body makes enough arginine, it may become necessary for some people to take arginine supplements or increase the consumption of arginine rich foods.
Reducing Your Consumption
A low sodium oxalate and arginine diet provides the most benefit to people with kidney problems. However, each diet also provides separate health benefits. A low-arginine diet on its own is beneficial to people who suffer from genital herpes, a viral infection that causes skin lesions to develop on or around the genitals or the mouth. According to Springboard 4 Health, a low-arginine diet may help control this infection. The diet also can benefit people with other viral diseases and infections. For controlling herpes outbreaks, the consumption of arginine is limited while the consumption of lysine is increased.
A diet low in oxalates can help reduce the risk of developing containing kidney stones. Kidney stones form due to calcium and oxalates binding together, so decreasing your consumption of oxalates can lower your risk. On the low-oxalates diet, dietary consumption of oxalate is decreased to 50 milligrams per day.
Foods
Avoid consuming foods that are high in arginine, such as peanuts, Brazil nuts, cashews and almonds. Foods that contain high levels of oxalates are beets, collard greens, dried beans, chocolate, poppy seeds and nuts. When following the low oxalates and low arginine diets together, steer clear of nuts and chocolate drink mixes as well as dairy-based drinks that contain wheat. Fruits are generally low in oxalates and arginine, and they contain several antioxidants needed to prevent cell oxidation, which can cause cancer.
Considerations
Some of the foods omitted from a diet low in oxalates and arginine diet contain essential amino acids, minerals and various other nutrients important for a balanced diet. Before starting such a diet, consult with your physician or dietician to make sure it is right for you.
