Do oxalates cause kidney stones?

Question

My uncle suffers from recurrent kidney stones, and his doctor advised him to avoid certain foods. He specifically mentioned oxalates; do oxalates commonly cause kidney stones?

Srinivas Rao · Accepted Answer

Yes, calcium oxalate stones are the most common type. I had a 6mm stone last year, and my urologist told me to limit high-oxalate foods like spinach and chocolate. The best trick is to drink plenty of water and consume calcium-rich foods with your meals so oxalates bind in the gut, not the kidneys.

Ramesh Bhandari · Answer

They definitely do, but don't panic and start expensive treatments. You can get a simple kidney ultrasound and urine test at any local lab for very cheap to see if there is any stone formation. Keeping yourself hydrated with simple home-filtered water is the cheapest and best prevention.

Rohan Gupta · Answer

I was reading about this recently because I love spinach and tomatoes. It seems oxalates can bind to calcium in the kidneys and form stones if your water intake is too low. It's really interesting how simple hydration can prevent this.

Priyanka Nair · Answer

I just recovered from kidney stone pain last month, and my reports showed it was indeed calcium oxalate. My doctor advised me to cut down on tea, cashew nuts, and spinach. Since making those changes and drinking 3 liters of water daily, my follow-up scans are all clear.

Aparna Nair · Answer

I am really scared because I eat palak and drink tea almost daily. Does this mean I am definitely going to get kidney stones, or is it only for people who already have a family history? Please help, I am overthinking this so much.

Do oxalates cause kidney stones?

5 answers

Consult a urologist

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