If you have an autoimmune condition,
you know that your body can feel often like it is out of your control. The symptoms
can vary by the classification of the condition that you have, but with all of
them one common thread runs through – Inflammation.
Inflammation – Acute inflammation happens
when you have an injury – that area of the body becomes red, swollen, and inflamed.
This can cause discomfort and pain. Ice, rest, NSAID pain relievers or natural remedies
such as Turmeric, Ginger, Boswellia, and Arnica all can help reduce and give
relief.
Inflammation is your body’s attempt to heal. The problem becomes when the source of injury or irritation is ongoing. This is the case in autoimmune conditions. It becomes a very vicious circle of inflammation and pain that the person cannot seem to get relief.
Being in pain all of the time can wear
you down and cause you to become frustrated, depressed, and even fearful of a life
lived in your own body. It is a frustration and a feeling anyone who has not experienced
living with an autoimmune condition can likely not fully understand.
Autoimmune
conditions encompass a range of diseases including:
- Hashimoto thyroiditis
- Addison disease
- Celiac disease
- Dermatomyositis
- Grave’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pernicious anemia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD}
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Psoriasis
What causes autoimmune disease?
The exact root cause of autoimmune
disorders remains unknown. The most commonly accepted theory is that bacteria,
viruses, or pharmaceutical drugs may trigger changes in the immune system. This
happens most often in those who have genes that make them more prone to
autoimmune disorders.
While there is no cure for
autoimmune issues – Those of us living with them dig, research, and go through
life with a trial-and-error approach to health care looking for relief. This is
exactly how I stumbled on this piece of information that is helping me
drastically as I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
Elevated levels of Oxalates can
cause chronic inflammation and pain!
What is an Oxalate?
Oxalate refers to Oxalic acid which
is found in foods. It can reduce mineral absorption from the foods you eat.
This can lead to mineral deficiencies, all of which come with their own set of
issues when not balanced in the body. Oxalates also contribute to the formation
of kidney stones.
How Oxalates Contribute to Or Even
Cause Chronic Pain
Oxalates in the intestine break
down and disburse but when found in very high levels they are readily absorbed
into the bloodstream. Oxalic acid then combines with free-floating minerals or
heavy metals to form crystals. These crystals are free to then deposit in the joints, bones,
soft tissues, and glands, which can cause chronic pain.
OXALATE FACTS
High Oxalates interfere with the sleep healing mechanism so you may not feel rested even after a full night’s sleep.
Joints, Connective tissue, and fascia
are high in sulfate receptors and oxalates can bind to these tissues, causing muscle,
joint or soft tissue, or tendon pain.
Oxalate Arthritis can result from the deposition of calcium oxalate into tendons, cartilage, and synovium.
How Elevated Oxalate Levels feel in
the body
- Your body feels far older than your
age in years - You wake up stiff and in pain
- It becomes hard to get up from a
low couch or chair and you move more slowly than you used to - Stairs may become exhausting
- You become fatigued easily even if overall
you have energy - Sleep does not leave you feeling
refreshed
Oxalates are a very real cause of
pain for the population in general but especially those with autoimmune
diseases.
How do you test Oxalate Levels?
Hair or urine tests are recommended
to check oxalate levels. Don’t guess, test. If you aren’t high, there is no
point in following a low oxalate diet. This is an issue for many people, but
not for everyone. If your tests come back showing elevation, reduction may very
well help reduce your pain levels and restore a feeling of wellness and
vibrancy.
Reducing High Oxalate Levels
This is a two-step process. First, you have to stop consuming what is
harming you. This means going on a low oxalate way of eating. Common
foods that are high in oxalate that you want to avoid include Spinach,
raspberries, chocolate, soy, potatoes, almonds, navy beans, dates, beets, leafy
greens, grits, peanut, and almond butter, and miso soup. There are many high-oxalate
food lists online. A true low oxalate diet has the level set at 50mg per day.
Drink water! Aim for a gallon a
day. Water will help flush your system as they are water soluble.
How long will it take to notice a
difference?
You may begin to see a difference
in just 2 weeks, but full effects can take as long as 8 to 20 weeks for the levels
to fully drop down to normal. It all depends on the range you are in and how
long it will take to flush them from your body.
Take heart. Health is a puzzle and every little piece we find helps bring us closer to true wellbeing.
Resources:
https://hoffmancentre.com/are-high-oxalate-levels-harming-your-health/
https://www.urologyofva.net/articles/category/healthy-living/3740469/11/13/2019/the-damaging-effects-of-oxalates-on-the-human-body
https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/memberarticles/oxalates-a-possible-cause-of-pain-and-illness
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/oxalates-hidden-cause-pain-maria-shaflender/
https://www.centerfornutritionalhealing.com/blog/2019/2/24/what-is-oxalate
*Disclaimer: As all writing, including my own, is subjective and skewed by the writers own beliefs and experiences – I consider all of my blogs “opinion pieces” and do not offer any medical advice. This blog is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any disease.
Sincerely,
Sarah
www.sarahbarendse.com
