Guest guest Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Now I remember where I saw the warning about spinach! Oxalic acid occurs naturally in quite a large number of plants. The human body also synthesizes oxalic acid from ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Oxalic acid may combine with calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, or potassium to form less soluble salts known as oxalates. Oxalates also occur naturally in plants. Since oxalic acid binds with important nutrients, making them inaccessible to the body, regular consumption of large amounts of foods high in oxalic acid over a period of weeks to months may result in nutrient deficiencies, most notably of calcium. Oxalic acid is a strong acid, and is irritating to tissue all by itself. Extremely high doses are fatal. Oxalates, on the other hand, form tiny little insoluble crystals with sharp edges, which are also irritating to tissue. So, high levels of oxalic acid/oxalates in the diet lead to irritation of the digestive system, and particularly of the stomach and kidneys. They may also contribute to the formation of kidney stones (the most common form of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate). Foods containing these chemicals may be consumed in moderation. However, if you suffer from kidney disease, kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout, it is usually recommended that you avoid foods that are high in oxalates or oxalic acid. Foods generally found on the list include: chocolate, cocoa, coffee, most berries (especially strawberries and cranberries), most nuts (especially peanuts), beans, beets, bell peppers, black pepper, parsley, rhubarb, spinach, Swiss chard, summer squash, sweet potatoes, and tea. Plant foods with high concentrations of oxalic acid (over 200 ppm) include (but are not limited to): lamb's-quarter, buckwheat, star fruit, black pepper, purslane, poppy seeds, rhubarb, tea, spinach, plantains, cocoa and chocolate, ginger, almonds, cashews, garden sorrel, mustard greens, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, soybeans, tomatillos, beets and beet greens, oats, pumpkin, cabbage, green beans, mango, eggplant, tomatoes, lentils, and parsnips. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 Peter, et al, How long has F.Patenaude been a raw foodist? I wonder about some of these people who are producing the plethora of books these days. I am skeptical of research that hasn't been corroborated, or data which may be interpreted incorrectly. Since oxalic acid exists in so many " foods " it seems to me it must serve a purpose. Perhaps as a vascular or tissue " cleansing agent " ? No doubt, as I have read and cross-verified, that the acid is poisonous in large quantities; but so are most substances. Even water is toxic if overdulged in. The quantities in which the oxalic acid appears in the foods that it does, suggests that we needn't fear some sort of toxicological problem. Let us not be purveyors of fearfulness. I prefer to trust my body's innate divine intelligence, rather than running after fear projections (from authors selling books). The simple truth is that though we know alot about nutrition, we still have alot more to learn. I'm gonna " eats me spinach " as I have done, unless my body tells me it does not need it. regards, tev Peter Gardiner <petergardiner wrote: Vegigran, I got the idea from the Maestro Frederic Patenaude! Raw Secrets p159 has one mention but there is another somewhere. I certainly ate a lot and thought it better to give spinach a rest. Peter The experience of dynamic religious living transforms the mediocre individual into a personality of idealistic power. Religion ministers to the progress of all through fostering the progress of each individual, and the progress of each is augmented through the achievement of all. [The Urantia Book: 1094:1] Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2003 Report Share Posted November 21, 2003 Tev I think your judgement on Patenaude is hardly justified. I was eating about a pound of spinach a day. He simply says be careful of eating too much spinach as it is high in oxalic acid. I did some checking on this substance which accounts for the two articles I posted supporting his contention. Confirmation came to me when I moved over to other sources of chlorophyll and negative symptoms lifted. Patenaude in my opinion cannot be faulted on this one. In any event there is more wisdom in one line of his writings on food than there is in any book written by a qualified medic that I have ever read; Fuhrman included. I am a fan of the latter too! Peter tev treowlufu [goraw808] 20 November 2003 20:32 rawfood [Raw Food] RE: Oxalic Acid Peter, et al, How long has F.Patenaude been a raw foodist? I wonder about some of these people who are producing the plethora of books these days. I am skeptical of research that hasn't been corroborated, or data which may be interpreted incorrectly. Since oxalic acid exists in so many " foods " it seems to me it must serve a purpose. Perhaps as a vascular or tissue " cleansing agent " ? No doubt, as I have read and cross-verified, that the acid is poisonous in large quantities; but so are most substances. Even water is toxic if overdulged in. The quantities in which the oxalic acid appears in the foods that it does, suggests that we needn't fear some sort of toxicological problem. Let us not be purveyors of fearfulness. I prefer to trust my body's innate divine intelligence, rather than running after fear projections (from authors selling books). The simple truth is that though we know alot about nutrition, we still have alot more to learn. I'm gonna " eats me spinach " as I have done, unless my body tells me it does not need it. regards, tev Peter Gardiner <petergardiner wrote: Vegigran, I got the idea from the Maestro Frederic Patenaude! Raw Secrets p159 has one mention but there is another somewhere. I certainly ate a lot and thought it better to give spinach a rest. Peter The experience of dynamic religious living transforms the mediocre individual into a personality of idealistic power. Religion ministers to the progress of all through fostering the progress of each individual, and the progress of each is augmented through the achievement of all. [The Urantia Book: 1094:1] Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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