EP 1361
1361. These 7 Superfoods Are Secretly Wrecking Your Body
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey delivers a solo masterclass on oxalates and why these compounds behave very differently from other plant toxins like lectins and phytates. He explains how oxalates bind minerals and form microscopic crystals that can accumulate in tissues, disrupt mitochondria, and drive inflammation, joint pain, kidney stones, and accelerated aging, even in people who eat clean. Dave breaks down why popular superfoods such as spinach, almonds, cacao, and green smoothies often backfire over time, explores oxalate dumping and candida driven overload, and shares practical food swaps and lifestyle strategies that lower oxalate burden without extreme restriction, offering a smarter framework for nutrition, longevity, and human performance.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
This solo masterclass on oxalates explains why many people who eat clean still struggle with joint pain, kidney stones, fatigue, brain fog, and chronic inflammation. You’ll learn how oxalates behave very differently from other plant compounds like lectins, phytates, and salicylates. Unlike those compounds, oxalates physically bind minerals and form microscopic crystals that can lodge in tissues, damage mitochondria, and accumulate over time. This episode will change how you think about superfoods, clean eating, and long term human performance.
Join our new Low-Ox 30 day reset! Sign up below:
https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/
Host Dave Asprey walks you through the real science of oxalates using decades of self experimentation, functional medicine research, and hands on biohacking. As the founder of the biohacking movement, Dave has tested fasting, ketosis, carnivore strategies, supplements, nootropics, sleep optimization protocols, and metabolic interventions to uncover what actually improves resilience, neuroplasticity, and mitochondrial function without unnecessary damage.
In this masterclass, you’ll learn why oxalates cause problems even when digestion seems fine, why symptoms can show up in joints, kidneys, nerves, skin, and old injuries, and why reducing oxalates too fast can make you feel worse before you feel better. Dave explains oxalate dumping, candida driven oxalate overload, microbiome interactions, and why foods like spinach, almonds, cacao, and green smoothies often backfire over time. He also shares practical ways to lower your oxalate load safely, support mineral balance, and protect your metabolism and brain using a Smarter Not Harder approach.
This episode is for you if you eat “healthy” but still feel off, deal with unexplained pain or inflammation, or want to improve longevity, brain optimization, sleep, and human performance without extreme restriction.
You’ll Learn:
- Why oxalates are different from lectins, phytates, and other plant toxins
- How oxalates drain minerals and damage mitochondria
- What oxalate dumping feels like and how to avoid it
- Which superfoods cause the biggest problems and what to replace them with
- How hydration, minerals, and supplements affect oxalate clearance
- Why oxalates accelerate aging and tissue stiffness over time
- Practical biohacking strategies to protect longevity and human performance
Keywords: oxalates, oxalic acid, biohacking oxalates, oxalate dumping, plant toxins explained, lectins vs oxalates, phytates and mineral absorption, anti-nutrients, superfoods controversy, clean eating problems, kidney stones oxalates, joint pain inflammation, mineral depletion, calcium oxalate crystals, metabolism dysfunction, brain fog causes, neuroplasticity and inflammation, longevity nutrition, anti-aging nutrition, functional medicine oxalates, supplements for oxalates, hydration and kidney health, urinary pH balance, candida and oxalates, microbiome and oxalates, fasting and oxalates, ketosis and oxalates, carnivore diet transition, human performance nutrition, sleep optimization inflammation, nootropics and brain optimization, Dave Asprey oxalates
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Resources:
- Join Our New Low-Oxalate Challenge! https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/
- Dave Asprey’s Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/tojoin Inside Track today.
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
- My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs(15% Off)
- Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark(15% Off)
- Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
- Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
- Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
- 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
“Oxalates don’t just irritate your gut. They form razor sharp crystals that physically damage tissues, mitochondria, and blood vessels throughout the body.”
Dave Asprey
0:00 – Trailer
A fast hit of the biggest takeaways and why oxalates may be the missing piece behind pain, inflammation, and clean eating that backfires.
1:25 – Introduction
Dave sets the stage for this solo masterclass and explains why oxalates deserve serious attention in biohacking and longevity.
3:18 – What Are Oxalates
A clear definition of oxalates, where they come from, and how they show up in both food and human metabolism.
5:40 – Oxalates vs Other Plant Toxins
How oxalates differ from lectins, phytates, and other plant compounds, and why their crystal forming behavior makes them unique.
7:18 – Oxalate Sources and Chemistry
The chemistry behind oxalates, how they bind minerals, and why certain foods deliver much higher loads than expected.
9:17 – Kidney Stones and Crystal Formation
Why most kidney stones come from calcium oxalate crystals and how those same crystals affect tissues beyond the kidneys.
10:19 – Oxalate Dumping Explained
What oxalate dumping is, why symptoms can flare when intake drops, and how to recognize it in your own body.
12:03 – System Level Effects
How oxalates impact joints, muscles, nerves, skin, fascia, and organs even when digestion seems fine.
14:54 – Inflammation, Mitochondria, and Aging
The link between oxalates, mitochondrial damage, inflammatory signaling, tissue stiffness, and accelerated aging.
16:56 – Who Should Pay Attention
The specific signs, histories, and lifestyles that make oxalates more likely to be a hidden problem for you.
19:32 – High Oxalate Foods
A practical breakdown of the foods that contribute the most oxalates, including common superfoods and drinks.
24:56 – Smart Food Swaps
Simple replacements that lower oxalate load while preserving nutrition, enjoyment, and metabolic flexibility.
27:22 – Exercise and Hydration
How sweating, training intensity, hydration, and minerals influence oxalate concentration and symptom flare ups.
29:07 – Clearing Oxalates Safely
A measured approach to lowering oxalates without triggering excessive dumping or new problems.
31:01 – Summary and Key Takeaways
The core principles to remember so you can manage oxalates intelligently and protect long term health and performance.
Enjoy the show!
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