Of star fruits and kidneys

[okarol]

Sunday May 18, 2008

Of star fruits and kidneys

THE recent newspaper reports on the incident in which a Malaysian slipped into coma after consuming star fruit has caused some anxiety among the public.

Following that, it was stated that such an incident can happen in individuals who have kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) would like to clarify further that reports in the medical literature have implicated the star fruit as causing neurological complications including coma and even death only in patients who have severe kidney failure, including those on dialysis.

The kidneys are important organs for excreting bodily wastes and products derived from ingested medications or other compounds.

When the kidneys fail, these products accumulate and can only be removed by dialysis, which is an artificial process. In the case of star fruit, it is postulated that it contains a certain neurotoxin (a poison that affects the central nervous system) that can be excreted normally in persons with normal kidney function and thus do not lead to any major complications.

However its consumption by those with severe kidney failure or those on dialysis can potentially cause serious complication as the neurotoxin would not be excreted. Some of the toxin can be removed by dialysis.

The practice of all nephrologists in the country is to advise patients on dialysis or those with severe kidney failure to avoid taking star fruit. NKF concurs with this view and had similarly advised patients on its dialysis programme.

Article courtesy of NKF KIDNEY CARE, a community education programme by National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia.

http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2008/5/18/health/21254246&sec=health

[Sluff]

That was the first thing my Neph warned me about and I'm not even sure you can get star fruit around here.

[Romona]

I didn't know about star fruit. I have made fruit salads with it before. Thank goodness it wasn't in the last few years.

[Adam_W]

I guess for us, eating a star fruit would be like consuming a live hand grenade. I had read about the star fruit issue on the internet (my neph never mentioned it), and I mentioned it to my parents, and they mentioned it to my grandmother (who is also on dialysis). She had never heard of the problem either, and she said she was actually about to try some. Thank the Lord I found out about the danger when I did.

Adam

[2_DallasCowboys]

I had heard about the dangers of star fruit, but did not think
about it too much, as I felt it was  not the sort of thing I would
find here in NJ.  Was I ever surprised to see it in our neighborhood
supermarket in the fruits and produce section!
I called the dietician at Les's unit to tell her that it was available
locally.  She was not aware it was, but does of course know
it is very dangerous, and has a big poster right by the weigh in scale.
Just goes to show you how important it is to be aware of everything
you can be, and how valuable this board is to get the word out on
so many things

Anne

[kellyt]

I think it would be nice if grocery stores would post a little sign next to it.  I'd never heard about it until I found this site last Sept.  I don't eat Star Fruit, but who's to say that I wouldn't hav eventually.

[spacezombie]

When I had my transplant I used to drink a fruit drink with starfruit all the time. I had no idea that it might be bad for me. I'm glad I didn't drink it while on dialysis! 

[kidney4traci]

I have seen it in the supermarket and actually was going to try it.  I love to try different foods, especially fruits.  Thankfully I had heard about it on another posts here, but this is the only place I had heard about it.  Thanks Karol, you are a great souce of information.