by Mila McManus, MD
Oxalate sensitivity could be linked to underlying yeast or candida overgrowth. Oxalate, also called oxalic acid, is an organic compound found in many plant foods. For most people, oxalates pose little to no problem, but for some individuals with high oxalate levels and oxalate sensitivity, it can lead to numerous health issues.
Common signs and symptoms of high oxalate levels include muscle aches and pains, fatigue, brain fog, strange rashes, kidney stones, chronic UTIs, frequently cloudy or hazy urine, vulvar pain in women, gastrointestinal problems or irritable bowel syndrome, gum issues, sore eyes, or poor vision, and histamine intolerance.
The composition of your gut microbiota is directly related to the amount of oxalate levels found in your urine. Candida albicans is the most common yeast in the human gastrointestinal system. While it is uncertain which one causes the other, candida overgrowth has been found in the presence of high oxalates in the gut. Addressing high levels of yeast and candida can help reduce oxalate levels. Oxalates are measured in urine, and high levels are referred to as hyperoxaluria.
In a healthy person, approximately 90% of the oxalate delivered from plant foods in the diet is excreted through the stool and urine. The human body can also produce oxalate on its own by converting Vitamin C during metabolism if oxalate levels are too low. For individuals with oxalate sensitivity, oxalic acid is not excreted efficiently and remains in the cells, where it wreaks havoc, leading to oxidative damage, depletion of glutathione, compromises the immune system, and forms crystals that cause pain and injury. The result is the formation of oxalate crystal deposits in blood vessels, bones, and various body organs. Kidney stones and joint pain are two such examples created by oxalate deposits in these areas.
Initially, treating for high oxalate would include an elimination diet while simultaneously reducing yeast and fungal populations in the body. Foods high in oxalate include beans, beer, beetroot, berries, chocolate, coffee, cranberries, dark green vegetables [especially spinach], nuts, oranges, potato, rhubarb, soybeans, soy milk, sweet potato, black tea, tofu, and wheat bran. The two-pronged treatment protocol includes removing these foods while targeting the yeast and fungal populations, both of which, in turn, reduce the oxalate load and sensitivity. When the gut microbiome is balanced and healthy again, many of these healthy whole foods can be returned to the diet.
There are also supplements that can help reduce oxalates and the related symptoms of oxalate sensitivity. Optimizing gut bacteria with a high-quality, multi-strain probiotic helps break down oxalate in the gut. Calcium citrate binds with oxalates to form larger molecules that pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed. There are several oxalate competitors, including sulfur, bicarbonate, chloride, and Biotin. These can crowd out the oxalate and stop it from having such an impact at the cellular level. Vitamin B6 helps facilitate the urinary excretion of oxalate. Drinking plenty of water helps to eliminate oxalates, as does activated charcoal, which acts as a binding agent.
If you think you, or someone you love, may have oxalate sensitivity, consider meeting with one of our providers for a personalized protocol that addresses the root causes and leads to restored health and wellness.
Stay informed. Be Well.
References:
https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/oxalates-and-candida-overgrowth/