EB. 130: Low Carb Diets & Oxalates: The Surprising Connection

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Mar 31, 2025

Dive into the surprising links between low-carb diets and oxalate levels. Discover if your kidneys really have a limit on oxalate processing and how citrate and baking soda could play a role in clearing them. The podcast challenges the myth of oxalate dumping and discusses the effects of high protein on metabolism. It highlights the importance of potassium citrate in preventing kidney stones and examines how dietary choices impact oxalate production. Perfect for those navigating dietary health and kidney management!

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INSIGHT

pH Balance Influences Oxalate Solubility

Blood and urine pH critically affect calcium oxalate solubility and clearance.
Slightly basic urine pH (6–6.5) promotes clearance but too high or low pH risks other stone types.

INSIGHT

Oxalate Dumping Theory Questioned

A theory of "oxalate dumping" with stored oxalates released on low-carb diets lacks strong scientific support.
Absorption is low and kidneys efficiently clear oxalates, making large stored pools unlikely.

INSIGHT

Low Carb Raises Endogenous Oxalate

Symptoms attributed to oxalate dumping on low carb diets may instead result from increased endogenous oxalate production.
Low carb diets raise glucagon and gluconeogenesis, driving oxalate synthesis and reducing clearance capacity.

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In this episode we discuss:

Whether the claim that your kidneys can only clear 50mg of oxalate per day has any validity
Whether citrate is effective for clearing oxalates
The impact of low-carb and high protein diets on oxalate production and clearance
How glucose, fructose, and insulin effect oxalate production

Check out the Energy Balance Mini-Course here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/energy/

Check out the Energy Balance Food guide here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide/

Check out the Energy Balance Solution program here: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/solution/

The Nutrition Blueprint: https://mikefave.com/the-nutrition-blueprint/

Click here to check out the show notes:
https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-130-low-carb-diets-oxalates-the-surprising-connection/

Timestamps:

0:00 – intro

1:06 – is there a daily limit to how much oxalate the kidneys can process?

9:26 – whether we automatically store oxalates if they aren’t cleared through the kidneys

13:40 – why mitochondrial function in the kidney is crucial for calcium oxalate crystal clearance

17:30 – the benefits of citrate and whether it’s effective for clearing oxalates

23:30 – whether baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) support the clearance of oxalates

27:05 – how pH balance relates to oxalate clearance

32:19 – is “oxalate dumping” real?

43:06 – how low-carb diets increase oxalate absorption

47:19 – whether having a small amount of oxalates helps prevent oxalate dumping

50:02 – how low-carb diets increase oxalate absorption (cont.)

52:19 – why low-carb diets like keto and carnivore may increase oxalate production relative to high-carb diets

1:00:42 – how high-protein diets lead to increased endogenous oxalate production

1:07:41 – how carbohydrates and insulin reduce oxidative stress and oxalate production

1:11:40 – why glucose does not cause the formation of advanced glycation end products

1:13:18 – how low-carb diets reduce oxalate clearance – stressed kidneys, lack of citrate intake, and more acidic blood & urine