Rice-bran treatment for calcium stone formers with idiopathic hypercalciuria

The efficacy of rice-bran therapy was studied in patients with hypercalciuria who were suffering from calcium stones. The frequency of stone episodes was reduced dramatically, especially in "active recurrent stone formers". Urinary calcium excretion was considerably reduced, while urinary phosphate and oxalate were slightly increased. Urinary magnesium, uric acid, serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium and uric acid were not affected. There were no changes in serum iron, copper and zinc even when patients were treated for long periods. The treatment was tolerated well and there were no serious side effects. Rice-bran therapy is particularly useful in patients with hyperabsorptive hypercalciuria and it is effective in the prevention of recurrent urinary stone disease.