Let me preface this with a disclaimer: Everyone is biochemically unique and this may or may not apply to your health. But if you are struggling with health issues with no resolve, then maybe this is something to look into.
In the Holistic Health industry, we commonly use and live by the quote -
Let food be thy Medicine and Medicine be thy Food
But is it…
My Story
My Dad was an avid stone collector. And by stone, I mean kidney stone. It was very common for him to pass stone or two quite frequently. At the time, no Doctor really gave him a good reason why and he continued to create and pass these stones. They did analyze the stones originally and tell him they were calcium based, so cut out the dairy. (he didn’t consume much dairy to begin with) and to drink more water.
There were a lot of cautionary tales that I learned from my Dad’s health which lead me in the direction of obtaining a diploma in Holistic Nutrition.
Let’s fast forward a few years, to when I am in late 40’s and had been living and eating clean as possible for over 15 years and practicing what I preach as a Holistic Nutritionist. I was incorporating all the superfoods in my diet, reducing exposure to chemicals in my food and environment, getting my movement in daily. I was doing all the right things. Or at least I thought I was. You can imagine my surprise when I developed and passed a kidney stone. WTF! I know that there are studies that suggest there is a genetic factor in developing kidney stones but I also believe that the genetic factor can be erased with lifestyle differences.
So I went down a deep hole of research trying to figure out why I developed a stone so that I can make changes to reduce the risk of passing a one again. (if you have passed kidney stones - it is not a fun experience and I gave birth to one child naturally). Here is what I found.
Eat Your Superfoods
Superfoods are specific foods to include in your daily routines that provide a boost in certain vitamins/minerals/antioxidants for optimal health. These foods may include leafy greens, nuts seeds, dark chocolate, berries, avocadoes, chia seeds, quinoa. This list is just a snapshot of what superfoods are.
But…These superfoods may not be what we think they are. Some of these foods are also high in oxalates. What are oxalates?
Oxalates are chemical toxins that are produced by many plants to protect themselves.
Plants Need Protection Too
Funny thing. Plants do not want to be eaten. Their purpose is to grow, reproduce and survive. So they protect themselves by producing certain ‘weapons’ or chemicals. One of the chemicals that plants produce is oxalic acid and oxalate crystals. Plants also require oxalates for storing calcium, carbon and sunlight. The chemical toxins, oxalates, bind to minerals and form crystals. These crystals are spiked or needled and are abrasive. When ingested by humans, they create small puncture wounds in our mouth, throat and GI tract which allows the oxalate to enter our systems.
We don’t typically experience discomfort when eating oxalate high foods and this is because our teeth can not grind up the food enough to release the oxalates. Blending and juicing high oxalate foods will release the oxalate irritating affects.
Oxalates can also cause skin irritation such as will workers in an agave plantation or cashew processing.
Oxalate levels will vary in plants depending on their growth, environment, metabolism, stage of maturity. For example a very ripe avocado has 7 mg of oxalate but a firm barely ripe avocado has 50 mg. Levels will also depend on your serving size of the food and will vary in plant families. Not all leafy greens are high oxalate foods. Spinach, beet greens, chard are high, but romaine lettuce, leaf, butter and iceberg are low and more tolerable. And as well, we as individual humans have different levels of oxalate ingestion that we can all handle.
Signs of Oxalate Poisoning
These signs are very non descriptive and can point to many health issues. But if you are still suffering from something with no clear answer. It may be worth looking in a different direction and that direction being oxalates in food.
Kidney stones or unexplained kidney failure (extreme cases)
Digestive issues (bloating, gas, IBS)
Inflamed joints
Chronic skin issues
Brain fog
Chronic urinary tract infections
Eye floaters
Chronic sinus problems
Chronic yeast infections
Muscle spasms
Parkinson’s disease and Dementia disorders
Foods High in Oxalates
By no means is this an extensive list of foods that contain oxalates. This list is comprised of the most common foods eaten. In no particular order of oxalate levels.
Beet juice
Black tea
Dark Chocolate over 70%
Blackberries
Buckwheat
Quinoa
Teff flour
Sweet potatoes
Chard
Spinach
Tumeric
Almonds
Cashews
Chia seeds
Poppy seeds
Anything over oxalate levels of 250 mg is high, over 600 mg is extremely high. For example 1-1/2 cups of raw spinach is 450 mg of oxalates.
Back To My Story
My diet at the the time I had kidney stones was, I would say, 65% plant based. I probably had green smoothies four times a week. Power greens as they are called (baby spinach, baby chard and baby kale), almond milk, frozen mangoes, plant based protein powder. I would also have almond butter and gluten free toast. My favourite salad to make was a version of greek salad with quinoa. For snacks, I always had almonds on hand. So as you can see, it seems I had a high oxalate diet and kidney stones were just building up over time.
Doing my research and realizing this was a food caused issue for me, I either removed the culprits totally or drastically reduced my intake. I also change my diet to more animal based. And knock on wood…I have not experience another attack.
Obviously my issue with oxalates showed up as kidney stones but others may show up as chronic skin issues, painful inflamed joints, constant infections, etc. And the journey to clear oxalates from your body can and will take time and may produce its own set of challenges but worth it in the end.
There is so much more on this subject and I have only touched on a small amount of information. I highly suggest that if you want to learn more to read the book Toxic Superfoods by Sally K Norton. She has done an amazing job of telling her own story of oxalate poisoning and how she healed from it. It really did open my eyes into another aspect of health.
When it come to our long term health, I find it so important to have an open mind with it comes to food, nutrition. And we do need to understand that one size does not fit all.
I will leave you with one final quote from Sally’ book:
Few around you will know what you are up against in your healing. We lean on a crowd mentality for feelings of security, no matter how much they pull us down in the end. You do not need a crowd. What you need is a healthy body, a healthy family and a healthy future.
I welcome your comment and thoughts on this subject.
Danni
As a Holistic Nutritionist/Holistic Lifestyle Coach, I empower you to make lifestyle modifications to succeed in their health and wellness goals. After providing tools to create long-term healthy habits, my clients reported increased energy, reduced fatigue and pain, and improved overall wellbeing.
I offer 1-1 coaching to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Please connect if you share my passions for healthy living and holistic nutrition.
Instagram - @back.2.basics.nutrition
This is so interesting! My dad has had so many kidney stones over the years (and also was never really given an explanation for why). I do wonder now if it was food-based. I suspect he has celiac disease and wonder if there might be a correlation for him. I'm glad changing your diet has helped you!