Star fruit can be deadly for kidney!

Star fruit (Kamranga) contains oxalate that may accumulate in kidney if taken excessively, especially when taken in raw format and in empty stomach. As little as 300 ml of Kamranga juice may affect even a healthy individual.

Star fruit or Carambola, which is locally known as Kamranga is a refreshing treat and a healthy delicacy. But for some people with impaired kidney function, it can be deadly and may cause sudden kidney shutdown. It can also affect healthy people who consume a certain amount of juice, especially in raw form or an empty stomach.
Recently, a 54-year old otherwise healthy person presented to me with low urinary output suggestive of acute kidney failure. He had a history of taking 300 ml Kamranga juice in an empty stomach. Initially, he presented with sudden onset of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain within hours and thereafter was admitted to a local hospital. Gradually the patient developed acute kidney failure and was referred to Apollo Hospitals Dhaka for better evaluation and treatment. Kidney biopsy of the patients revealed plenty of microscopic colorless oxalate crystals. The patient was treated accordingly and two sessions of hemodialysis were given. Patient's kidney function fully recovered on 20th day after the Kamranga induced Kidney Failure.
Kamranga is an oxalate-rich fruit that can accumulate in kidney and cause such incidences of low urine output and kidney failure. Studies in different scientific journals also show proof of such evidence based incidences. In a healthy person, as little as 300 ml of kamranga juice can affect kidney. Healthy people should consume juice below this level and should not take in an empty stomach as it helps in absorption of oxalate and upsets our stomach and intestine. Most importantly, people should not take juice in raw form and must dilute the juice and preferably make it pickle juice.
People suffering from hypertension, diabetes and obesity who are at risk of kidney disease or those who have a family history of kidney disease should preferably avoid Kamranga as a precautionary measure. Anyone who experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and low urine output after taking Kamranga should consult a nephrologist immediately.

The writer is a Consultant, Nephrology, Apollo Hospitals Dhaka.