Oxalates: Using Microbes To Break Them Down

​This article does NOT constitute medical advice. Consult with your physician before making any changes to your medical plan.
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Microbes like Oxalobacter formigenes are key oxalate-degrading bacteria in the gut, while other species from the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus also help break down oxalates. O. formigenes is considered the most effective because it is a "specialist" that uses oxalate as its sole carbon source, while Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are "generalists" that can degrade oxalate along with other substances. 
Main oxalate-degrading microbes 

• Oxalobacter formigenes: This is a highly effective, specialist bacterium that feeds exclusively on oxalate, significantly reducing the amount of oxalate available for absorption into the body.
• Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species: These are generalist bacteria that can break down oxalate in addition to other carbon sources.
  • Examples include: Lactobacillus salviarius, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Bifidobacterium animalis. 

How they work

• Degradation: These bacteria break down oxalate in the gut into less harmful byproducts, preventing it from being absorbed and potentially forming kidney stones.
• Secretion: Some bacteria, like O. formigenes, also secrete factors that stimulate intestinal cells to move oxalate into the gut for excretion, rather than absorption. 

Clinical relevance

• While the role of these microbes is well-understood, clinical trials have shown varying results for probiotic therapies.
• The inconsistency may be due to a variety of factors, including the individual's existing gut microbiome and host physiology, which are being researched to create more effective therapies. 

This article does NOT constitute medical advice. Consult with your physician before making any changes to your medical plan.