01/23/2023
Oxalates: what you need to know.
Oxalates
Oxalates are produced by certain vegetables, so that when bugs eat them they die (similar not lectins)
Under a microscope oxalates look like little pieces of broken glass.
They are poisons to humans even though they are natural.
It is common knowledge that oxalates contribute to kidney stones. But it is not as well known that only 1/2 of 1% of people who are sensitive to oxalates get kidney stones, but for the other people they can contribute to all sorts of problems including but not limited to fibromyalgia, any sort of chronic inflammation, rashes, headaches, PCOS, and arthritis.
Some people have no problem eliminating oxalates but many do.
Octolobacter forminogens is a specific good bacteria that is needed to break down oxalates. As far as I know there are no probiotic formulas that you can buy to replenish you if you are low
Oxalates will cause more problems in people with leaky gut because the oxalates slip right through the gut and enter the blood stream.
There are certain genetic defects that will cause certain people to react worse to oxalates.
GRHPR
SPP1
HOGA1
AGXT
PON1
Glyphosate will breakdown into oxalates if not detoxified properly. For this to occur, you need good function of PON1, GRHPR and SPP1 enzymes listed above.
Oxalates are also mycotoxins, which are produced by mold.
So if you have mold issues you probably should reduce oxalates. And deal with the mold.
Oxalates compete with sulfates. So if you have low sulfate production (sulfates are needed for detoxification) you may have excessive oxalates.
So increasing sulfate by taking products such as glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate or MSM or using Epsom salts you may push out oxalates.
There are tests to see if you have excessive oxalates. One of these tests is the organic acid test by Great Smokies lab.
Be very careful when reducing oxalates.
If you stop eating them all at once then they may “dump” out of your body all at once. Imagine lots of tiny glass particles going though your kidneys all at once. People have lost their kidneys doing this.
Only reduce 10 to 15% a week. If you feel worse do not “push through it.” You should reduce at a slower rate.
You may also have this painful phenomenon if you are taking regular detox products. That is another reason to slow down the detox if you feel pain.
Oxalate binders:
There are products you can take with a meal to bind oxalates so that you don’t absorb them. I carry them in my office if you are interested . 562-884-6101
Oxalates are found in many foods. The highest are spinach, beets and chard. And the amounts can vary greatly between the same vegetable grown in different places or at different times.
If you are wondering if oxalates are a problem for you and you don’t want to test then consider the following:
Have you or are either of your parents had kidney stones.
Do you or your parents have a chronic painful condition?
Have you responded badly to detoxification?
Does spinach or beets bother your stomach?
Could you have a mold issue?
It’s easy to find an oxalate list on line.
There are also oxalate counting apps.
Summary:
An oxalates is a natural poison designed to protect plants from bugs.
Oxalates are also mycotoxins produced by mold.
Glyphosate breaks down to oxalates if not broken down properly.
There are certain genetic factors that make it difficult to break down oxalates.
There is a particular good bacteria that you need to break down oxalates.
People with leaky gut will suffer more.
Sulfates will push out oxalates.
When reducing oxalates you should do so slowly and carefully.
