Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition

103 | Toxic Superfoods: Are They Really Poisoning Us?

Episode 103

Are oxalates quietly damaging our health? Could common foods like spinach, almonds, and berries be the real culprits behind everything from kidney stones to joint pain and brain fog? That’s the claim in Toxic Superfoods by Sally Norton—a book that has sparked concern among patients and providers alike.

To separate fact from fiction, I brought in kidney stone expert and dietitian Melanie Betz to break down the science behind oxalates. She’s done a deep dive into the book’s claims, the research it cites (or misrepresents), and the real impact of oxalates on health.

Key Takeaways:

  • What oxalates are and how the body processes them
  • Who actually needs to limit oxalates—and who doesn’t
  • The real risks of extreme dietary restrictions based on misinformation
  • How misleading research and anecdotal evidence fuel nutrition myths
  • How to spot nutrition misinformation online

Before patients cut out half their diet, let’s take a closer look at the science.

Feel confident tackling the latest nutrition controversy with your patients.

Resources:

Listen to Episode 9 | Kidney Stone Prevention

Read Melanie's deep dive here.

Any Questions? Send Me a Message

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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

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