The impact of dietary oxalate on kidney stone formation

Abstract

The role of dietary oxalate in calcium oxalate kidney stone formation remains unclear. However, due to the risk for stone disease that is associated with a low calcium intake, dietary oxalate is believed to be an important contributing factor. In this review, we have examined the available evidence related to the ingestion of dietary oxalate, its intestinal absorption, and its handling by the kidney. The only difference identified to date between normal individuals and those who form stones is in the intestinal absorption of oxalate. Differences in dietary oxalate intake and in renal oxalate excretion are two other parameters that are likely to receive close scrutiny in the near future, because the research tools required for these investigations are now available. Such research, together with more extensive examinations of intestinal oxalate absorption, should help clarify the role of dietary oxalate in stone formation.