Oxalobacter

Oxalobacter is a beneficial gut microbe with unique properties. Here are three key reasons why Oxalobacter is important for your health:

Oxalate degradation: Oxalobacter has the unique ability to break down dietary oxalates.¹ Oxalates are compounds found in many foods. By degrading oxalate, Oxalobacter helps prevent the accumulation of oxalate crystals, which can contribute to kidney stone formation.²³
Protection against hyperoxaluria: Hyperoxaluria is a condition characterised by high levels of oxalate in the urine.⁴⁵ Oxalobacter helps regulate oxalate levels, reducing the risk of hyperoxaluria and related kidney stone formation.⁶
Gut microbiome balance: In the gut, Oxalobacter coexists with other beneficial microbes, forming a complex microbial community that promotes microbial diversity. As an example, Oxalobacter, Lactobacillus species work symbiotically to prevent stone formation by producing enzymes that help to break down oxalate salts from oxalate-containing foods.⁷ Additionally, some Bifidobacterium species also assist Oxalobacter in oxalate degradation.⁸ This intricate coexistence highlights the interconnectedness of the gut microbiome and the potential synergistic effects of multiple microbes on gut health.

What are the best sources of Oxalobacter?

Oxalobacter is a native microbe to the human gut. There are no food sources of it, and food supplements that increase your Oxalobacter levels are still under development. You can improve the abundance of Oxalobacter in your gut by eating some of this microbe’s favourite foods. Please see below.

What foods can Oxalobacter feed on?

Oxalobacter thrives on a diet that includes sources of oxalate, as this bacterium specialises in degrading calcium oxalate salts. On that basis, oxalate-rich foods provide a substrate for Oxalobacter to feed on. Some common food sources of oxalate include spinach, beet greens, rhubarb, chard (e.g. Swiss chard), cocoa, tea, coffee, nuts, and certain fruits like berries. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help support the growth and activity of Oxalobacter in the gut, aiding in the breakdown of oxalate and potentially reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. It’s important to note that while oxalate-rich foods can support Oxalobacter, people with specific medical conditions or dietary restrictions need to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance. In addition, Oxalobacter and Lactobacillus species work symbiotically to prevent stone formation by producing enzymes that help to break down oxalate salts from oxalate-containing foods. Fermented dairy like kefir and yoghurt and fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi are excellent sources of Lactobacillus.

Where to find Oxalobacter in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test

You will find your Oxalobacter levels in the “Bacteria with Unique Properties” section of the “Probiotics” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results.

Synonyms: Oxalobacter species, Oxalobacter formigenes, oxalate-degrading bacteria, oxalate-degrading probiotics, bacteria with unique properties

Version and date: Version 1. 20th June 2023

Author: Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas BSc (Hons) MSc DProf MRSB

Important disclaimer

The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.

References

1
Crivelli JJ, Mitchell T, Knight J, Wood KD, Assimos DG, Holmes RP, Fargue S. Contribution of Dietary Oxalate and Oxalate Precursors to Urinary Oxalate Excretion. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 28;13(1):62. doi: 10.3390/nu13010062.
2
Mitchell T, Kumar P, Reddy T, Wood KD, Knight J, Assimos DG, Holmes RP. Dietary oxalate and kidney stone formation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2019 Mar 1;316(3):F409-F413. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00373.2018.
3
Huang Y, Zhang YH, Chi ZP, Huang R, Huang H, Liu G, Zhang Y, Yang H, Lin J, Yang T, Cao SZ. The Handling of Oxalate in the Body and the Origin of Oxalate in Calcium Oxalate Stones. Urol Int. 2020;104(3-4):167-176. doi: 10.1159/000504417.
4
Bhasin B, Ürekli HM, Atta MG. Primary and secondary hyperoxaluria: Understanding the enigma. World J Nephrol. 2015 May 6;4(2):235-44. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v4.i2.235.
5
Burns Z, Knight J, Fargue S, Holmes R, Assimos D, Wood K. Future treatments for hyperoxaluria. Curr Opin Urol. 2020 Mar;30(2):171-176. doi: 10.1097/MOU.0000000000000709.
6
Hoppe B, Pellikka PA, Dehmel B, Banos A, Lindner E, Herberg U. Effects of Oxalobacter formigenes in subjects with primary hyperoxaluria Type 1 and end-stage renal disease: a Phase II study. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021 Jul 23;36(8):1464-1473. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfaa135.
7
Sadaf H, Raza SI, Hassan SW. Role of gut microbiota against calcium oxalate. Microb Pathog. 2017 Aug;109:287-291. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.06.009.
8
Turroni S, Bendazzoli C, Dipalo SC, Candela M, Vitali B, Gotti R, Brigidi P. Oxalate-degrading activity in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis: impact of acidic conditions on the transcriptional levels of the oxalyl coenzyme A (CoA) decarboxylase and formyl-CoA transferase genes. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2010 Aug;76(16):5609-20. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00844-10.

Oxalobacter

References

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