St. John’s Regional Medical Center
1600 North Rose Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93030
805-988-2500
St. John’s Regional Medical Center
2309 Antonio Avenue
Camarillo, Ca 93010
805-389-5800
S
tar Fruit
Many grocery stores now have an exotic fruit section where you often see
interesting, colorful fruits from around the world. Star fruit, also known as
Carambola is a decorative and refreshing treat and for most of us, a healthy
delicacy. But some people with impaired kidney function, the star fruit can be
deadly.
The tangy tartness in star fruit comes from high levels of oxalic acid
(oxalate). Weakened kidneys can be damaged if high levels of oxalate
accumulate in the organ, it also contains a substance toxic to nerves (neurotoxin),
and without efficient kidney function, the combined effect of oxalate and a
neurotoxin may cause you very serious problems.
Even a small amount of this fruit can cause all kinds of symptoms in dialysis
patients including: persistent hiccups, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion,
muscle weakness, trouble sleeping, seizures and even death.
DO NOT EAT STAR FRUIT. This pale green/yellow bell shaped fruit that
looks like a perfect star when sliced in cross section is used as a garnish or in a
mixed fruit bowl. Don’t buy this fruit for yourself and also pay attention to fruit
that you eat while away from home.