What are oxalates?

Oxalate is any chemical compound that contains ion oxalate, an anionic or negatively charged form of oxalic acid. Oxalates are therefore oxalic salts or esters. Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid and has a formula of HO _{2 CCO 2 . Commercially find wide use as a whitening agent, rust remover and wood restorer. As acid, it is toxic, very irritating and must be used with caution to avoid ingestion or contact with the skin. Oxalic acid and oxalates occur widely in nature, usually as salts of calcium, sodium or potassium. They are common in fruits and vegetables, in which they often contribute to luminous or bitter taste. Food oxalates with high oxalate content include spinach, rhubarb, strawberries and parsley, although almost all plant foods contain a certain amount. Normally they are notLays harmful, although leaves and roots of rhubarb plants are particularly rich in oxalates and their eating can be toxic.}

It is the non -collision of calcium oxalate, which gives oxalates their medical significance. Created in soluble oxalate, they meet naturally occurring calcium ions in the body, calcium oxalates as a solid and can cause considerable damage, especially in the kidneys. Calcium oxalate is the most common component of kidney stones and the content of the oxalate in the urine is the most important factor in the formation of kidney stone. Patients who are prone to kidney stone formation can be laid on low oxalate diets.

Oxalate is also a good chelating agent, a substance that can be bound to various metal ions through electrostatic procilation and thus block the ion used by the body, either for good or patients. It seems to beElated iron oxalate is the main factor in the bottom. Due to its low solubility, they flow out of the blood in the joints, where crystals can cause unbearable pain.

Disorders in oxalate metabolism have recently been recorded in individuals with autism and for this was presented several theories. There are reports that autistic children may be beneficial diet with controlled oxalate, but this information is only unofficial.

The average daily intake of oxalate is usually in the range of 80-120 milligrams a day (mg/day), although it can range from 44 to 350 mg/day. It can be even higher in individuals who eat typical Western food. Oxalate can also be produced through vitamin C metabolism and for this reason large doses of this vitamin - above 2 grams a day are discouraged. The most soluble oxalate is eliminated in urine, while insoluble salts are excluded in stools. The excess oxalate in urine is known as hyperoxaluria and the excess in the body is called hyperoxalosis .