Some of us have learned – the hard way – to take oxalates seriously. These are toxins found in some plants, especially spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard, almonds and many other foods that we consider healthy. Plants use toxins to protect themselves from being eaten by animals. They don’t hurt us, as long as we don’t get too many. But sometimes…
There are two ways to experience oxalate poisoning:
- Eat too many oxalates. Those on vegetarian, vegan or keto diets often eat too many high oxalate foods. Inflammation (anywhere) can gradually increase or the calcium oxalate can cause kidney stones. Either way, it can be extremely painful.
- Or accumulate oxalates over time, then suddenly eat none as on a carnivore diet. The body dumps them and you get a sudden surge of oxalates in the blood. This causes sudden diarrhea and inflammation. Also, extremely painful.
If you have chronic pain, a low oxalate diet might be something to try for a few weeks. See if your symptoms decrease.
Listen to our stories and information: Oxalates
and read the notes: Oxalates
Here’s a general list of the High and Low to Medium Oxalate Foods: Oxalates in Foods
Here’s a more specific list of the Oxalate Content of Foods: Oxalate-Content-of-Foods
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