As I pack for an outdoor adventure trek, the most important part of the preparation is developing a healthy body. There is Circadian Hygiene practices which is called “Devi Maryada” by the Hindus. This means we follow the natural cycles of the universe which our mitochondria was designed for. In modern life this takes a lot of planning and is covered in other blog posts. The simple checklist is using no artificial light at night, going to bed early, waking with the sun, plenty of sun exposure, utilizing cold exposure, and avoiding EMF exposure as much as possible.
But part of this process is the food we eat. Since I spent many years dealing with my own health issues, I discovered three books which together were instrumental in what is nothing other than a miraculous turn around. The knowledge in these books has given me my health back and allowed me to continue doing the things I enjoy, boosting my athletic performance for hiking and enjoying a body with very few aches and pains and sleep quality which rebuilds and repairs faster than the body deteriorates. What actually causes sore muscles and aches and pains? One of the main factors is oxalates which are microscopic razor sharp crystals found in many of our favorite foods and beverages. These crystals get lodged in the tissues of the body such as bone, cartilage, brain, eyes, muscles.
This is why I have gone to big efforts to shape my life around a specific lifestyle and limited diet which brings sustained self healing and vitality. I have added foods which aren’t always the first choice for taste buds, and eliminated the foods which taste great but are poison to the body. Eventually I have learned to enjoy high fat, animal-based foods. Every time I think of something I wish I could still enjoy such as chocolate, I remind myself how amazing it feels to be robust, vibrant and healthy.
When I am hiking whether it is scaling a mountain on a day hike or trekking multiple nights with a loaded pack, there is one thing that will happen and that is the body will release oxalates from the tissue into the bloodstream. This is the main reason we feel sore muscles. The body can become burdened with too rapid an oxalate dumping when doing any exercise beyond what we are normalized to. This is a shocking revelation, because this proves the oxalate science which has been exposed by Sally K. Norton in her book: Toxic Superfoods. Oxalate dumping can come in many forms, such as eye problems (floaters), sore muscles and joints, and even brain fog and mental impairments.
Anti-nutrients and plant toxins
Grains, nuts, seeds, and many of our common fruits and vegetables can be harmful because they contain ‘anti-nutrients’. These are naturally occurring compounds in the plant, but can have devastating effects in humans that eat too much of them. These anti-nutrients come in the form of oxalates, phytates, and lectins. Each of these blocks the absorption of certain minerals like zinc, iron, manganese, and calcium. Most people eat wheat and other grains with almost every meal (cereal in the morning, bread on a sandwich at lunch, and pasta or bread at dinner), so this can cause a mineral deficiency in your body over time that leads to many health conditions. Mineral deficiency is only the tip of the iceberg. Just about every known symptom such as aches and pains, joint issues, eyesight problems, even brain fog and mood disorders are possibly linked to plant toxin poisoning.
Sally Norton is a health coach, author, and public speaker known for her work on the health impacts of oxalates, which are naturally occurring compounds found in many plant foods. She has a background in public health and has focused her career on educating people about the potential negative effects of high-oxalate diets. Norton argues that excessive consumption of oxalates can lead to a range of health issues, including kidney stones, joint pain, and other chronic health problems.
Her book, “Toxic Superfoods,” explores the hidden dangers of certain foods commonly perceived as healthy due to their high oxalate content. Norton shares insights on how to identify and avoid high-oxalate foods, offering guidance for individuals looking to improve their health through dietary adjustments.
Sally Norton’s basic philosophy centers on the idea that oxalates, naturally occurring compounds found in many plant foods, can be harmful to human health when consumed in excess. She argues that high levels of oxalates can lead to various health issues, including:
- Kidney Stones: Oxalates can bind with calcium to form crystals, which can accumulate and form kidney stones.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Oxalate crystals can deposit in joints and tissues, causing pain and inflammation.
- Gut Health Issues: High oxalate intake can irritate the digestive tract and disrupt gut health.
- Nutrient Absorption: Oxalates can interfere with the absorption of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Chronic Conditions: Over time, the buildup of oxalates in the body can contribute to chronic health conditions and exacerbate symptoms of various diseases.
Sally Norton identifies several high-oxalate foods that she advises people to be cautious about or limit in their diets. Here is a brief list of some common high-oxalate foods she highlights:
- Leafy Greens:
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Beet greens
- Nuts and Seeds:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Grains and Grain Products:
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Whole wheat
- Legumes:
- Soybeans and soy products (e.g., tofu, soy milk)
- Black beans
- Navy beans
- Vegetables:
- Beets and beetroot
- Sweet potatoes
- Okra
- Fruits:
- Rhubarb
- Figs
- Kiwi
- Other Foods:
- Cocoa and chocolate
- Black tea
- Certain spices (e.g., turmeric, cinnamon)
Norton encourages individuals to be aware of these foods’ oxalate content and consider reducing their consumption to a meager 40 mgs per day. She promotes a diet with lower-oxalate alternatives to improve health outcomes.
Watch full video here