Omega-3 and the risk of kidney stones
Researchers at the University of Bonn, in Germany, evaluated the effects of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 fatty acids) on risk factors for calcium oxalate stone formation.
First, the details.
- 15 healthy people ate a standardized diet for 5 days.
- 20 days later they ate a standardized diet for 3 to 5 days that included 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily.
- Daily 24-hour urine samples were collected.
And, the results.
- After 30 days of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the relative supersaturation with calcium oxalate decreased significantly by 23%.
- The change compared to the standard diet phase was due to significantly decreased urinary oxalate excretion.
- Other variables were not affected.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “30-day omega-3 fatty acid supplementation effectively decreases urinary oxalate excretion and the risk of calcium oxalate crystallization.”
The authors believe that people who form calcium oxalate stones might benefit from long-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
Not everyone agrees. It’s a controversial topic as discussed here and here.
2/4/11 20:35 JR