Studies have shown that people taking Xenical, a drug used to fight obesity, might be prone to the development of kidney stones, particularly if their diet contains a high amount of oxalate-rich foods. A study was performed to find out the effects of Xenical using 39 adult rats that were given a diet filled with oxalate-rich foods or foods with both oxalate and fat (soy oil).
It was discovered that with Xenical, oxalate levels appeared in the urine four to eight times higher than the baseline value. This is believed to lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Based on these findings, doctors were advised to question their patients about any history of kidney stones before prescribing the drug to them. They also recommended cautioning their patients to limit the amount of oxalate-rich foods they consumed when taking the medication.
Examples of foods that contain high levels of oxalate include spinach, rhubarb, chocolate, tea, parsley, beetroot, strawberries, wheat flour, pepper and some nuts.
Researchers stated that a long-term clinical trial with a controlled diet was needed to confirm the effects of Xenical and its association with an increased risk of kidney stones.
Yahoo News July 23, 2004
This drug does not work to solve the cause of obesity in any way, shape or form. And now it is showing to cause the formation of kidney stones.
Taking this drug also perpetuates the low-fat myth since it is supposed to be taken with a low-fat diet. Anyone who is familiar with this site knows that a low-fat diet, though useful for some, is not the answer to weight loss for the majority of people.
Sugars and grains--not fat--are often the culprits behind obesity. Of course, inactivity is another major part of the problem.
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