Rice Bran Treatment for Patients with Hypercalciuric Stones: Experimental and Clinical Studies

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Abstract
The hypocalciuric effect of rice bran was confirmed experimentally and clinically. Urinary Ca excretion and its absorption in the intestine were reduced significantly by rice bran or phytin in rats fed high Ca diets, while there were no significant decreases with a low Ca diet. For the clinical study 70 patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria were treated with rice bran (10 g twice daily) for 1 mo. to 3 yr. In almost all patients rice bran caused a significant decrease in urinary Ca excretion, which was maintained during treatment. Evidence of stones has decreased clearly among patients treated with rice bran for 1-3 yr. although this might be a halfway judgment of the long-term treatment. Phytin should be the most effective substance to reduce the intestinal absorption of Ca, and rice bran treatment should be effective for prevention of recurrent urinary stone disease.