Oxalates
Oxalates chiefly affects calcium but also has an affect with magnesium metabolism. Calcium Oxalic acid binds calcium and forms calcium oxalate which is insoluble, indigestible crystals. Therefore, calcium oxalate adversely effects the absorption and utilisation of calcium in the animals' body.
Spinach, for example, contains a high level of calcium, but the oxalic acid it also contains binds up all but about 5% of it during the digestion process, working at a rate of 1 unit of oxalic acid binding up almost 100 units of calcium. Vitamin A can help reduce the effect a little. A positive feature of oxalic acid is that the crystals help clean the digestive system and may offer some other benefits in small amounts. Foods high in oxalic acid include spinach, kale, lettuce, broccoli, swiss chard and parsley. A varied diet can prevent any nutritional issue, as well as careful and moderate feeding of foods high in oxalic acid.
Spinach, for example, contains a high level of calcium, but the oxalic acid it also contains binds up all but about 5% of it during the digestion process, working at a rate of 1 unit of oxalic acid binding up almost 100 units of calcium. Vitamin A can help reduce the effect a little. A positive feature of oxalic acid is that the crystals help clean the digestive system and may offer some other benefits in small amounts. Foods high in oxalic acid include spinach, kale, lettuce, broccoli, swiss chard and parsley. A varied diet can prevent any nutritional issue, as well as careful and moderate feeding of foods high in oxalic acid.
References
Adkins, M., (2013). Tortoise Library: Anti-nutrients and Toxins (online) sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/
Akande, K., Doma, U., Agu, H., and Adamu, H. (2010). Major Antinutrients Found in Plant Protein Sources: Their Effect on Nutrition. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9(8), 827-832
©2014 Cat Read
Adkins, M., (2013). Tortoise Library: Anti-nutrients and Toxins (online) sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/
Akande, K., Doma, U., Agu, H., and Adamu, H. (2010). Major Antinutrients Found in Plant Protein Sources: Their Effect on Nutrition. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9(8), 827-832
©2014 Cat Read
