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Green smoothies are all the rage these days. Many people are drinking them every day or at least several times a week in an attempt to get healthy and “alkalize” the body.
Whenever I visit the cafe of my local healthfood store, there are usually several people in gym clothes lined up to order a green smoothie to sip after their workout.
Green smoothies are made by blending large amounts of raw leafy green vegetables with fruit to soften and sweeten the taste. Typical vegetables included in green smoothies are cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, collard greens, maca (usually as a supplemental powder) as well as others like spinach, swiss chard, celery, and parsley.
Is the green smoothie fad a truly healthy habit over the long term? Or, could regular consumption of these seemingly healthy drinks contribute to serious health problems over time?
Raw Leafy Greens Contain High Oxalate Levels
Frequent consumption of large quantities of raw, leafy green vegetables blended up as green smoothies can be deceiving at first. This is because green drinks facilitate an initial detoxification process that makes a person feel great. This is especially true when coming off a highly processed, nutrient poor diet.
While very nutritious, the vegetables used in green smoothies are almost without exception high oxalate foods. Over time, a high oxalate diet can contribute to some very serious health problems particularly if you are one of the 20% of people (1 in 5) that have a genetic tendency to produce oxalates or if you suffer from candida or other fungal challenge. In those cases, a high oxalate diet can deal a devastating blow to health.
Oxalate Toxicity Not a New Problem
The effects of oxalate toxicity have plagued humankind since ancient times. For example, scientists discovered an oxalate kidney stone about the size of a golf ball in a 2000 year old mummy from Chile using x-ray analysis.
Build-up of shards of oxalate crystals can occur almost anywhere in the body. Whatever tissue contains them, pain or worse is the result.
75-90% of kidney stones are oxalate related with 10-15% of Americans afflicted at some point during their lives. As the star shaped crystalline stones pass from the kidney, they cause pressure and pain in the bladder and urethra and can actually tear up the walls of the urinary tract.
Oxalate Stones from Excessive Green Smoothies
Oxalate stones can show up in any body tissue including the brain and even the heart.
Crystals comprised of oxalates resemble shards of glass. They can become lodged in the heart causing tiny tears and damage to this vital muscle. With every single contraction, more damage is caused as the heart pumps life giving blood to the rest of the body.
Oxalate crystals which end up in the thyroid can cause thyroid disease by damaging thyroid tissue.
A frequent location for oxalates to end up is skeletal muscle which will cause pain with even normal movement and make exercise nearly impossible. Dr. William Shaw, Director of The Great Plains Laboratory for Health, Nutrition and Metabolism who has studied oxalates extensively, is convinced that oxalate toxicity is a factor in fibromyalgia the pain of which can absolutely devastate a person’s life (1).
Vulvodynia – Painful Sex
Cases of women experiencing painful sex are on the rise with oxalates a possible culprit.
Vulvodynia is a condition causing pain in and around the vagina. It is linked to oxalates deposited in this delicate reproductive tissue. Oxalate crystals are very acidic and they cause irritation, burning, and stinging sensations for affected women. An accompanying feeling of rawness is typically experienced during sexual relations.
Oxalates Are Fungal in Origin
A surprising finding is that oxalates are produced in large amounts by fungus. Large stones have been found in the sinuses and lungs of people suffering from systemic fungal infections such as candida or Aspergillus.
Therefore, anyone who suffers from any sort of candida overgrowth or other fungal challenge like fungus nails or dandruff would be wise to be very concerned about oxalate intake via the diet.
Consumption of green smoothies would not in any way contribute to improvement of health in these situations. The majority of people today suffer from gut imbalance and candida (yeast) issues caused by antibiotic and prescription drug use including the Pill. This renders a high oxalate diet which includes frequent green smoothies an unwise practice for virtually everyone.
Does Cooking Destroy Oxalates?
What about cooking the greens first? Would this reduce the risk of oxalate overload and make consuming greens safer?
Not really, because oxalates are extremely stable. While cooking high oxalate foods and discarding the cooking water does reduce the level of anti-nutrients, it remains quite high.
Green smoothies are usually consumed frequently by those who swear by them. As such, a light steaming of the veggies first would not make a significant difference over the long term if they are consumed regularly. If you consume green smoothies only occasionally, however, a light steaming is a good idea. This practice adds a degree of safety to the process. Other tips for preparing safe smoothies are contained in this linked article.
Healthier Alternatives to Green Smoothies
The best course of action for health, then, is to opt out of the green smoothie diet fad. This is especially important if you have any sort of gut imbalance or candida issues.
If you enjoy green leafy vegetables, be smart about it. Don’t overdo like so many in the health community are doing with the best of intentions. Enjoy green drinks in moderation in salads. Or, cook them and carefully drain and discard leafy green cooking water. Never use it in soups and sauces!
Be sure to serve cooked leafy greens with a healthy fats like butter or coconut oil. Avoid margarine or any factory fats synthesized with rancid and/or GMO vegetable oils like Smart Balance. Using natural fats will facilitate maximum absorption of minerals.
Another option is to drink raw cultured vegetable juice or eat raw cultured vegetables. Not only will you get enhanced nutrition from the culturing process which adds enzymes and nutrients, but you will also get a beneficial and therapeutic dose of probiotics to help balance gut function and improve digestion. It also suppresses fungal overgrowth like candida.
Wheatgrass an Excellent Alternative!
Another option is to do shots of fresh, green wheatgrass juice.
Wheatgrass juice is very low in oxalic acid.
Here is a link to my favorite green juice recipe using wheatgrass and ginger. It is safe to drink regularly, daily if you like, instead of green smoothies. It is also an excellent drink for gently detoxing before pregnancy. The ginger assists with morning sickness issues too if you are already pregnant.
What to do if a Green Smoothie Diet Has Already Harmed Your Health
Are you already are suffering from some of the ailments described in this article? Do you suspect a high oxalate diet which includes green smoothies or a daily spinach salad may be the cause? If so, stop this practice immediately and consult with a holistic physician. You will likely need professional assistance to guide you on the road to recovery. Ridding your body of oxalate crystals that are potentially irritating one or more of your body tissues is no simple task! It is not advisable to attempt this protocol on your own.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist, author, Get Your FATS Straight
References and Additional Information
The Role of Oxalates in Autism and Chronic Disorders, William Shaw PhD
Top 4 Cleansing Myths to Watch Out For
Tawanda
This was a much needed post given the confusion over health benefits of green smoothies.
Sabrina Ball via Facebook
This article is poorly written, do your own research people and don’t stop eating raw leafy greens!
Kim Paider via Facebook
@Alyssa Pilat – I am not disagreeing with moderation, or really with her point at all. I think the issue most of us are having here is how this was communicated. Notice how everyone is going “Huh?” There are unanswered questions. If you click on the original article that she cites at the bottom of this one, it is more thorough. But still — sending out a message saying to “opt out” entirely — based on the information stated in ONE article? Not very responsible when 17,000 people are reading your blog.
Kate Suits
I remember this similar topic “Think Raw Veggies…” from 10/10 (awhile ago) and you said if I were to blanch my kale that would be fine “no need to cook it to death”. Kale is in my green smoothie! What about Kale Chips? Lord help me!
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Fine in moderation!!! The problem with green smoothies as that these folks drink them all the time and the amount of raw leafy greens is them is very large.
Kate Suits
Thank you, Sarah!
Mrs. Mac
This thread is beginning to sound like the ‘telephone’ game. It starts out with certain facts and is getting twisted the further down it goes. Moderation people. Green smoothies are somewhat of a fad. Eat your veggies in moderation and quit whining.
Helen T
Laughing!
Amanda
You keep saying “fine in moderation” but you didn’t make that the focus of your article. What you are doing is scaring away people who drink green smoothies in moderation or those who would benefit from adding them to their life. You may say that isn’t true but the fear-mongering language you use in the article suggests otherwise. And I have read through these comments enough to know that is a fact. How many of your readers have just told you they are no longer putting spinach in their smoothies or eating raw salads? Or thanking you for sharing something with them that they did not know? How many of those people actually had a problem with drinking green smoothies too frequently and in large enough quantities to warrant a problem? My guess is none. I personally do not know anybody who takes in so many raw greens or green smoothies to have a problem with high oxalates. Maybe you do but you did not share any examples in your article.
If you did want to encourage moderation, you should have titled your article differently. It seems to me that we have bigger problems to worry about than people drinking green smoothies!
Nicole, The Non-Toxic Nurse
Exactly! Some people drink literally a bushel of high-oxalate leafy greens each day in their smoothies/juices . . . that is where it gets troubling for me.
Ashley Is Fly' via Facebook
I don’t drnk alot of green smoothies..maybe once a week but i pretty much have a big salad everyday and I will continue to do so. Now leafy greens are bad? give me a break. like another poster said i believe leafy greens are excellet for the body. Everyday it seems like something else is bad for you. I have come to the conclusion that I ma going to eat whatever I want but just listen to my body.
Jenny
I think you are ding your readers a major disservice by lumping all green leafy veg into this category and then presenting their consumption as alarmist. The one, and only, source you cite calls out is spinach as the specific leafy green to be wary of but focuses more strongly on Soy and Peanuts which are not components of the drinks you are being alarmist about. What about sweet potatoes, chocolate, black pepper, and tea which are also cited. Will we be having a sweeping, alarmist “Don’t Drink Tea or eat Chocolate” article too?
Additionally, the recommendation in your cited article is an increase in calcium citrate and Omega 3 fatty acids or vegetable oils – NOT BUTTER. Recommending people avoid all leafy greens in general and cook them in loads of butter is not only an incorrect reading it is woefully unhealthful for a society riddled with nutritional deficiencies and “unfoods” like high fructose corn syrups, etc.
The article states that “The supplement that is most helpful is vitamin B6”. Know what B6 is found in? Spinach. And bananas – a common smoothie additive.
More sources and some grounded advice from a certified nutritionist might help me take this seriously but as it stands I am saddened at scaremongering.
Vickie Innes
Check out this website http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=48
Beth
Thanks for that great link!
Gabriella
You just put butter in the same category as HFCS. No further commentary on your credibility is needed.
Vickie Innes
You should not be allowed to write articles about nutrition. Oxalate is not harmful, but once cooked, oxalic acid can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Get your facts straight before writing articles about foods that are on this plant to make people healthy. O yea, and the fat you eat is the fat you where. Stop telling people to douse their food with fat. Candida is a result of too much fat in the blood stream, not green leafy vegetables. Eat more fat if you want to get heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Victoria Innes
MS Human Nutrition
Vickie Innes
planet*, wear*
sorry no spell check on here
Jenny
Agree. You really should not be allowed to write articles about nutrition. You are doing people a major disservice.
Steve
Agreed! How about siting some of your resources for this article? Steering people away from or worse yet scaring them about drinking green smoothies is absurd. Yes, moderation is key. Yes, real butter is better than margarine. Unless you’re drinking a gallon/day + for extended periods of time, you have nothing to worry about! Not cool… this article is a better reminder for you to do your own research from QUALIFIED individuals who do actual research instead of just blogging about their opinions with little or no factual basis.
Dr. Steven A. Mikulak, DC, CCSP
Karen Vaughan
Also agreed about the sources. I usually find that when I’m blogging it is easy to add a link to sources like pubMed, or to list them at the end. Given that the idea that consuming oxalates is a controversial contributor to kidney stones and other oxalate-related diseases, it would be good to see the pros and cons in the literature. Frankly I suspect that it has either more to do with the body’s ability to process minerals (cofactors missing? low Vitamin D status? minerals in wrong places due to leaky gut?) than consumption.
Also you mentioned that only 20% of people are sensitive to oxalates (source? -it seems high) but you frame many of your comments to everyone, as if they all are dealing with hidden oxalate poisoning. This is a condition that affects a minority of people, and it may even not be related to consumption of veggies, quinoa, etc.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
If you actually read the article you would see that it is sourced at the end of the post.
Gabriella
*citing. Ya lost all credibility with me there.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
You are welcome not to read any articles I write which is simply exercising my right to free speech. You are also welcome to start your own blog to refute any points I make that you disagree with.
marina
That’s right Sarah. You are just educating people about different kinds of foods and how people can take a look at their diet, especially if they have health concerns, and make changes accordingly. I don’t know why people take your posts so personally. Actually, being a real food nutritionist, I am used to people taking things personally if they do not agree with something I recommend to them. At first I was offended but now I believe everyone has their own path and I just set an intention to attract ideal clients who will be actually helped by my services and knowledge. It is working out pretty well!
Bradley
here you go Sarah, a blog with real nutritionists and Doctors refuting your erroneous blog…
http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/green-smoothies/why-green-smoothies-will-not-devastate-your-health/
Helen T
Brad – I’ve had the misfortune of dealing with real doctors with my health. That’s why I’m interested in nutrition now.
Ursula
You’re linking to a VEGAN website…. that shows how much you know. This lady got healthier likely because she cut out gluten, dairy etc…… but she likely won’t be so healthy for long, as vegans eventually end up with severe nutritional deficiencies and early death as a result of their misguided ideas.
It is good for detox purposes to eat raw vegan for about a MONTH if you have severe health problems (especially cancer), but after that you damage your health unless you put meat, saturated fat etc. back into your diet.
cassie
I don’t know about the leafy greens causing issues, but I do know that oxalate is just the the anion in oxalic acid. If oxalic acid is a problem, then really, oxalate is *the* problem because oxalic acid is a fairly strong acid (has a pKa of around 1.3) and therefore is present as the oxalate and hydronium ions. Your assertion that oxalate doesn’t hurt, but oxalic acid does makes no sense. What does the cooking do?
Cassie
MS Chemistry, if you’re curious
Jen
I was thinking the same thing Cassie.
Nikki
Cooking makes the oxalate in spinach more bioavailable, just like cooking makes the iron in spinach more bioavailable and the lycopene in tomatoes more bioavailable. Food combining is important as well, so read about that especially when cooking, as some foods have nutrients that bind together and can’t be eliminated well, and form things such as these crystals and kidney stones.
dani
Vickie this is literally the most ridiculous assertion I have ever read. Candida, cancer and diabetes are the result of fat consumption and not sugar? They don’t call diabetes “the sugars” for nothin’! Sugar feeds both cancer cells and fungus in the GI tract. You do realize our brains are 60% fat, our hormones rely on fat? Healthy fats are absolutely essential to the human body. We have been consuming them safely forever, and only recently has fat gotten a bad reputation. Only recently have low-fat/high-carb diets become the norm, and the rates of heart disease, diabetes and cancer are higher than ever. Just because you were taught this does not make it true, you need to do your own research. Carbs turn to glucose once digested, spiking blood sugar and being stored as fat. Healthy fats are used for energy, not stored. Get YOUR facts straight.
dani
PS- Certified Clinical Nutrition Consultant
Nicole, The Non-Toxic Nurse
Amen from an RN!
Gabi
Double that Amen!!! (from a journalist and herbal/nutrition health consultant)
Nicole, The Non-Toxic Nurse
Candida as a result of hyperlipidemia? That’s strange . . . they don’t teach that in nursing school and I have never come across it in any journals. What does Candida eat again? Oh, that’s right, sugar. Why are diabetics susceptible to Candida? Oh, that’s right, their blood sugar is high and their immune system is down-regulated secondary to the sequela of high blood sugar. Wait, isn’t that a large part of the reason diabetics are though to have greater cancer risks according to the endocrinological literature? What are diabetics told to eat in lieu of sugar calories? Oh, that’s right, protein and fat. Eating fat causes fat deposition? Since when? Ever heard of the Mediterranean Diet that even most old-school MDs recommend these days, or the French Paradox? Time for some current, non-refined-carb-industry-sponsored CEUs me thinks. P.S., if the fat you eat were the fat you wear, then Sarah would not look as she does and I never would have lost my pregnancy weight. P.P.S., Lumping all fats into a single category is just plain ridiculous and ignores the past 50 years of science!
TinaD
Nicole, couldn’t agree more. All of the people I know who are fit and healthy eat plenty of natural fat and low carbs. Conversely, all of the people I know with weight problems are carb addicts. (And many of them eat low-fat and/or fat-substitute foods. Several of them have heart problems.) The fat you eat is certainly NOT the fat you wear! How outdated a statement this is! Scientifically, completely erroneous!
Jana
Excuse me, *allowed*???? I’m sorry, I have been under the impression we live in a free country. How sad that I’ve been wrong all these years!?! If you don’t like what you read here, then stop reading blogs like this! No one, as far as I know, is forcing you to read articles you so obviously do not agree with. This blog is for people who want to follow or are already following the Weston A. Price principles for healthy living.
Jana
This was meant to be a reply to Vickie Innes’ comment above but somehow didn’t show up in the right place!
Heidi
Vickie,
Oxalate is a toxin. Our bodies do produce it in small amounts, but our bodies’ entire response to oxalate is to 1.) keep it from being absorbed through the intestines and into the bloodstream and 2.) to try and get rid of it if we have absorbed it, or if too much is circulating in our systems for our kidneys to keep up, to tuck it away in other tissues where it won’t do as much damage as it does while circulating.
I don’t know how you could become a nutritionist without knowing the toxic effects of oxalate, but it is toxic to every person. The only difference in people is that some people’s bodies do a pretty good job of keeping oxalate out and getting rid of the oxalate that gets in and some people’s bodies don’t. Also, some people make a lot in their bodies and some don’t. The problem is, you might not know which one you are until you have already caused a lot of damage. Erring on the side of caution and reducing or eliminating the amount of high oxalate greens in your smoothies is a good idea for a lot of people. Also, cooking has absolutely no effect on oxalate. Some ways of cooking foods can reduce oxalate content in some vegetables, but cooking oxalic acid does not increase the risk of kidney stones. It actually lowers the risk if the vegetable is cooked properly.
I think it shows pretty poor form to flaunt your nutritionist credentials and to tell other people to learn more about health and nutrition when you do not understand oxalate yourself. I encourage you to read more about oxalate before flaunting this type of ignorance in a way that is meant to belittle and cut down the author of this article instead of trying to promote a genuine discussion of ideas.
Ursula
Wow Vickie…….. you’re a nutritionist? Good thing there are people out there who actually know what they’re talking about, like Sarah, because people listening to you wouldn’t live long.
Saturated fats help you lose weight, and low fat diets cause heart disease. Because the heart actually can’t function without saturated fat.
Candida is caused by sugars and carbs, not fat. Cancer is caused by fungus, which is fed by sugars and carbs. Diabetes is also caused by sugars and carbs.
Cut out grains and sugar, eat only one to two fruits a day, stop drinking fruit juice and eat more healthy fats like butter and lard, and you won’t have to worry about diabetes, candida and heart disease…… and it isn’t likely you’ll get cancer, either.
hello to you
Where are the sources the candida is caused by ‘too much’ fat
Please don’t cite Dough Graham (the (bald) guy that killed someone with a fruit fast).
Jennifer Brooks via Facebook
Your article is completely misguided and conveniently leaves out many important facts:
1. Green smoothies are not necessarily made of up vegetables high in oxalate. In fact, kale has a very low oxalate content and is typically used as a green smoothie base.
2. Other very common foods, such as soy and peanuts contain higher oxalate levels than many different green vegetables.
3. Oxalate disorders have not been associated with dietary intake of oxalate.
4. People adapting a diet high in vegetables typically have a decrease in blood pressure, normalization of weight. There is no literature supporting that a diet rich in vegetables is associated with the diseases that you mention. In fact, those who eat more vegetables have an increased lifespan. Another fact, green vegetables have been found to be very important benefits and have not been associated with any adverse outcomes.
5. Your interpretation of the article is misleading at best. You are making the assumption that dietary intake of oxalate is associated with disorders relating to oxalate. Despite many attempts to prove this, no study has proven this to be true. Although dietary changes are recommended for some of the disorders that you mention, there is no scientific data to show that dietary restriction decreases oxalate levels.
There are many other nutritional issues worthy of our attention, but sending people the message that eating all green vegetables (yes, you don’t distinguish in your article) is wrong, not supported by the scientific literature and body of knowledge and is unethical.
Kate Suits
I LOVE kale in my smoothies – my 3-1/2 yo LOVES green smoothies. Thanks for your points.
tori
I totally agree with Jennifer and others commenting in the same vein.
I think this article is another in the long line that will yet come about: trying to convince the populace that nutrients are actually detrimental to health. If you don’t believe the powers that be are trying to do this, then you don’t know about CODEX ALIMENTARIOUS. I’m sorry that such a popular blogger is following in this dangerous trend and aiming people amiss.
Linda
If anyone on this good earth is concerned with nutrients and good healht it is Sarah 🙂
kasie
thank you for mentioning the actual article that has been interpreted here. As with anything, interpretations are too subjected. The sad part of our generation is that google provides so many of these ‘interpretations’ that we never bother to read the true source and decode it for ourselves. No one person can be right about everything, no matter HOW well-meaning they are. Lets all read the research ourselves (yes it can be daunting, but is there not a sense of accomplishment for teaching an old dog new tricks? lol). But I am thankful to have read this article, because it has spurred me to look into the research. Keep in mind folks, cutting out all cholesterol doesn’t lower high cholesterol, so could it be possible that cutting out all oxalates doesn’t fix high oxalate problems. Perhaps it could make it worse?
leslie
I agree with Kasie. People do your own research! One person is not the end all be all of information. There are a ton of books out there disagreeing with one another. Hello most doctors aren’t even given a proper nutritional background and a lot of nutritionists disagree about many things. READ! Rotate the greens on a daily basis and you’ll be fine. I read a lot about people hating their green smoothies? Ever heard of stevia, I have never had a bad green smoothie. 40% greens 60% fruit and always use either a banana or avocado for smooth drinks that don’t seperate. Also take the stems out for less bitter kale and out of chard for the saltiness. Romaine and regular green leafy lettuce work great too. I really wonder what Ann Wigmore would think of all of this, she cured cancers with green leafy veggies!
Helen T
Excuse me: the more I research, the more I don’t know. I recently came upon the work of Ray Peat who doesn’t like fermentation in veggies or dairy……so, yogurt is off the list!!
And then there’s Matt Stone who likes sugar again…..
Nicole, The Non-Toxic Nurse
It has never actually been “proven” that smoking cigarettes causes cancer either, but I would sure like to hear from folks who are making that suggestion.
The connection between consumed oxalates and kidney stones is convincing enough that they teach about it in American nursing schools.
P.S., First rule of the scientfic method is that nothing is ever “proven.” Science is about defeating the null hypothesis within a particular confidence interval–as any introductory statistics book will teach you. The preceding is always far from “proof.” Hence, we shouldn’t require “proof” prior to allowing a scientific finding to influence our health-related decisions.
TD
You’re right about the cigarettes. They are only a very low risk-factor for cancer, and nicotine boosts brain function which is helpful to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Cigs do, however, promote COPD and circulation issues.
Jake
Nicole you are being ridiculous now. I unstand that you are a “student” and believe you have insider info on all things medical but your just as sensational as Sarah. People are bothered by uses of the word “devestate” and “Don’t” along with the lack of clarity on which vegetables are the culprit, etc. I think Sarah has done a diservice to the holistic healthcare enthusiast.
Marina
I have to politely disagree. The effects of smoking are very well documented! Studies PROVE that smoking DOES cause cancer. The chemicals in cigarettes cause DNA affects and when removed by the good guys incorrect bases can be added on. When DNA mutates like this cancer cells can proliferate. It is also PROVEN that smoking causes oxidative stress and free radical damage, two risk factors for cancer. Sure you can get cancer even if you don’t smoke but the instances of mouth, esophageal and lung cancer are correlated with those who smoke.
Karen Vaughan
I agree with Jennifer that the idea of restricting dietary oxalates will reduce oxalate-related illnesses in sensitive people is unproven. The research is all over the place. It is like the idea that reducing dietary cholesterol reduces cholesterol levels, which we know to be wrong because the body manufactures most cholesterol. Maybe there is a small association, especially in extremes. The more interesting question is why people who are sensitive to oxalate-associated diseases create crystals instead of passing them out through the colon?
I suspect gut health is a major issue. When the probiotic lining of the gut wall is impaired, things get into the blood and lymph that shouldn’t. I am very curious about the aspergilis connection as a patient ended up with kidney stones and vulvodynia after exposure to mold. Mold can affect the gut.. And perhaps there is a nutrient deficiency which doesn’t permit the use of implicated minerals (say magnesium.)
Do remember people, only some people are sensitive to oxalates and the rest of you can eat them in peace. And while people with oxalate-associated diseases may also be able to eat them, I’ll understand if you want to play it safe. Plus if any of you thyroid-challenged want to steam your cruciferous veggies before putting them into your smoothies, you are allowed.
PattyLA
Oxalates are toxic to everyone. They are what makes rhubarb leaves poison. The issue is not if you are sensitive to them. The issue is if they are absorbed by your gut or stay in the gi track and are eliminated. Also they are not like a food allergy that you can just see if you react to the food or not. The body stores oxalate, like it stores heavy metals, and reactions come from the build up in the body. Few react clearly to consumption of a high oxalate food (although my daughter does but I don’t. We both need a Low Oxalate diet for health.)
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Yes, most green smoothie addicts will discover this too late unfortunately. It’s not like you can drink green smoothies and say “hey I feel great, I’m going to keep doing this”. You are headed for the cliff and you don’t even feel it or know it. The time to change your ways is before your body tissues are inundated with oxalate crystals.
mik
I’ve been doing green smoothies every day for 2½ years, and the Boutenko familly even longer. You just need to rotate your greens.
Karen Vaughan, L. Ac.
Patty, the dosage makes the poison. Oxygen is toxic to everyone in sufficient concentration. Oxalic acid may attack cancers and the body creates oxalates- probably far more important than dietary oxylates.
PattyLA
Huh? Oxalate hasn’t been shown to have any beneficial role in the body by anyone. It is a toxin that the body works to eliminate. It is a byproduct of some body processes, just like carbon dioxide is a byproduct that needs to then be eliminated.
Kelly
Wrong.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11135080
“Urinary oxalate excretion increased as dietary oxalate intake increased. With oxalate-containing diets, the mean contribution of dietary oxalate to urinary oxalate excretion ranged from 24.4 +/- 15.5% on the 10 mg/2500 kcal/day diet to 41.5 +/- 9.1% on the 250 mg/2500 kcal/day diet, much higher than previously estimated. “
Aimee Villella McBride via Facebook
Any suggestions for healthy veggie/fruit juice or smoothie alternatives?
Jesse
Aimee, I make one a lot with:
Kefir (I make)
Frozen banana
Avocado (makes it really creamy and you don’t taste the actual avocado much)
Carrot
Frozen mango
Coconut oil
Cream from the top of my raw milk
Some raw honey
My two year old and I love this!
marina
Sounds yummmy, Jesse! I make a similar one – though I use coconut milk which goes GREAT with frozen wild blueberries!
Lindsay
Thanks for the info Sarah. This is not the first time I’ve heard this, but for some reason I never listened before. My question – are spring greens included in this? I have a salad for lunch almost every day with some combo of spring greens, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, chopped leftover meat and homemade oil/vinegar.
I also make coconut milk smoothies for my kids with raw spinach. I throw in some coconut oil, raw egg yolks and blueberries too. No more raw spinach for us though! I also use carrots and beets – are they okay raw in a smoothie?