Oxalates are a toxin that is naturally present in plants. Plants use them to bind their minerals, protect their seeds, and deter anyone from eating their leaves. They sequester calcium from the digestive tract, and can create kidney stones and many types of inflammation. In some cases, they build up in the tissues and joints, reducing a person’s elasticity and flexibility.

Signs of Oxalate Accumulation

Oxalates can present themselves in many different ways. When too many oxalates are consumed, especially with a compromised intestinal wall, these plant toxins can begin to build up in the body and cause a myriad of health-related problems. Some oxalate-related problems include:

• Kidney stones are generally made of calcium oxalate crystals.
• Joint problems that can be very painful when oxalates scratch tissues.
• Osteoporosis and broken bones, because oxalates inhibit the proper absorption of calcium.
• Poor concentration, emotional issues, and twitching. Oxalates can damage nerves and cause many neurologic systems.
• Inflammation and autoimmunity, including skin issues. Oxalates can trigger an autoimmune reaction in the body, creating painful rashes.
• Thyroid problems can be caused by oxalates, because these crystals frequently accumulate in the thyroid. A malfunctioning or damaged thyroid can cause many metabolic problems.

High Oxalate Foods

Some of the top oxalate-containing foods are spinach, potatoes, soy, almond milk, nuts, and chocolate. Most of these foods are unnecessary in the human diet, and can easily be substituted for other alternatives. I admit that chcoolate may still creep into my diet every now and then. Animal foods do not contain oxalates, because oxalates are a plant toxin. For a detailed list of many different foods' oxalate content, visit the Autism Research Project.

How to Store Calcium in the Bones, Not in the Tissues

Aside from reducing the consumption of oxalates, the body requires vitamins D3 and K2 to absorb calcium into the bones, rather than keeping it around in the tissues. Both vitamins D3 and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins. That means that you will not get them from low-fat foods. Nowadays, many people are deficient in the consumption of quality fats. It is difficult to keep calcium in the bones if your body doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to process it.

Vitamin D3 can be synthesized from the sun if there is enough cholesterol in cells. It is also present in dairy fat and pasture-raised animals that have received enough sunlight. Vitamin K2 is present in many animal foods and Natto (a fermented food which is quite popular in Japan). For many people, it’s easiest to consume vitamin K2 in goat’s or sheep’s dairy, cow’s butter or heavy cream.

Oxalate Dumping

The body is designed to accumulate oxalates if there is an over-consumption of them, and to release them as soon as their consumption ceases. Years ago, when diets were seasonal and some oxalate-rich foods were not as widespread as nowadays, people dumped most of their oxalates in winter, when their consumption of oxalate foods decreased. This was fine back then, but nowadays, most modern humans have over-consumed oxalates for years. Their bodies are rigid, full of oxalate crystals.

When someone stops consuming oxalates all of a sudden, the body can start dumping them too quickly. If this happens, severe inflammatory symptoms can occur. Some people have had oxalate crystals come out of their skin and eyes, making them miserable while the dumping lasted. Others show signs of oxalate accumulation all of a sudden, because oxalates frequently cause inflammation when leaving the tissues they’re in. It is neither wise nor good to stop eating oxalate foods all of a sudden, especially if you have been eating too much spinach, chocolate, or almond milk. The best course of action according to experts like Sally K. Norton is to take it easy and give the body time to adapt to progressively lower and lower oxalate levels.

When I began practicing Tai Chi, my body showed many of the signs of rapid oxalate dumping. Some forms of tai chi focus on the mechanical breakdown of tissue rigidity. That is, they break down oxalate crystals so that the body may get rid of them. This can lead to symptoms that are similar to those in peak oxalate dumping periods. Even though I had reduced my oxalate consumption years earlier, I had not eliminated them completely from some of my tissues. Other physical activities may have the same effect, and it’s always useful to pace oneself if the dumping becomes too extreme.

Is Low-Oxalate the Answer?

Up until very recently, nobody consumed as many oxalates as modern humans do. Spinach was rare. Almonds were rare. Chocolate was rare too. Nowadays, anyone can go to the supermarket and consume an excess of oxalates for their metabolism. Most dieticians and doctors rarely mention oxalates to anyone, except for people with kidney problems. I personally keep my oxalate consumption relatively low, because there is no real need to overconsume these toxins.