A credible scientist is worried about the high oxalic acid (aka oxalate) content in green drinks and vegetarian diets.  Should you be concerned?  Maybe. Oxalic acid is found in plant foods. It’s also produced by the body in the course of normal metabolism.  Pretty nasty stuff, it’s the most corrosive acid in the body, a pro-oxidant, and it can combine with most minerals and heavy metals to form oxalate crystals. The most well-known of these crystals are kidney stones, but, according to chemist William Shaw, PhD, formerly of the Centers for Disease Control, high levels of oxalate can form crystals just about anywhere in the body, including glands, heart and brain. Like tiny pieces of glass, these crystals cause tissue damage and inflammation and have been implicated in arthritis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis and a painful condition in and around the vagina called vulvodynia. Fortunately the human body is well-equipped to dispose of oxalate. If you’re in go…

—air pollutants included—can contribute to overall inflammatory burden. Every exposure either adds to or subtracts from the body’s adaptive capacity. Reducing Impact Through Smart Choices For those who choose to continue using wood heat, risk reduction strategies may include: Improving ventilation and chimney efficiency Using EPA-certified stoves Avoiding indoor smoke leakage Limiting exposure duration, especially for children Resources such as woodheat.org provide practical, evidence-based guidance on cleaner wood-heating practices. Supporting the Body’s Resilience Beyond Health’s philosophy emphasizes that reducing exposure and strengthening resilience work together. Key areas of support include: ? Antioxidant Protection Combustion byproducts increase oxidative stress. A diverse antioxidant network helps neutralize free radicals and supports cellular defense mechanisms. Commonly used antioxidants include: Vitamin C Vitamin E Selenium…