Forums: September 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: spinach and calcium
Created on: 09/11/10 03:39 PM Views: 3546 Replies: 13
gailemail Joined: 09/11/10 Posts: 3	spinach and calcium Posted Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:39 PM I understand spinach has a lot of calcium, but won't give it up. My question is: Does spinach block your body from absorbing calcium from other sources if eaten at the same time? For example, if you put spinach in a shake with other calcium sources will the spinach interfere with the other calcium? Or is it only not giving up it's own calcium?
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fiji51904 Joined: 01/12/10 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 98	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 4:54 PM why would you be asked to give up spinach? Did I miss something? Heidi
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 4:56 PM Not sure either but I think maybe it's related to the iron in spinach possibly messing with calcium absorption. Guess we'll need to wait for one of the more experienced folks to chime in --Deb
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tinabean Joined: 09/08/10 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 113	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:07 PM I think the issue is that it is high in Oxalic acid, which interferes with calcium & iron absorption. I've heard conflicting/confusing information on this, but the gist I get is this: 1) it's perfectly ok to eat, just get your calcium elsewhere (like from tofu or collard greens) 2) you should avoid it if you're worried about kidney stones (because of the calcium oxalate) 3) the iron, at least, can somehow be freed by pairing it with Vitamin C/Citrus The experts will know better if this is all true, or internet myth.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 8:42 PM ah-ha so pairing spinach with tomato would be a good thing then. I knew someone would chime in with more information. are there particular ways of preparing spinach that reduce/minimize the level of oxalic acid? --Deb
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mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 8:54 PM Bugsmom wrote: ah-ha so pairing spinach with tomato would be a good thing then. I knew someone would chime in with more information. are there particular ways of preparing spinach that reduce/minimize the level of oxalic acid? --Deb I actually know the answer to that one! No, there are not, unfortunately. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=48 Molly Horn
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Monday, September 13, 2010 at 8:56 PM so there aren't any ways to minimize the oxalic acid. okay. figured it was worth checking with folks who had better info than I have on the subject --Deb
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fiji51904 Joined: 01/12/10 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 98	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM I gona just keep going in the direction that I have been...seems to be working out for me to this point, LOL!!! Heidi
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:28 AM I read the linked article and it looks like oxalates aren't generally a big issue for most people. So I guess I'll just keep on keepin' on... --Deb
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txdoglover Joined: 03/18/10 Posts: 69	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:47 AM when she said won't give it up, she didn't mean she won't give it up, but that the spinach won't give the calcium up easily.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:50 AM So, the spinach needs a helper (vitamin C source, like a spritz of lemon or some tomato) in order to help access the calcium it is holding onto. Is that a fair summation? --Deb
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gailemail Joined: 09/11/10 Posts: 3	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 12:35 PM To clarify me question I will quote the book I was reading regarding calcium and spinach. Eating Healthy for Life for Children by PCRM- page 12 "Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, collards, and bok choy are rich in calcium. The exception is spinach, which contains large amounts of calcium but holds on to it very tenaciously, so less of it is absorbed into the body." My worry is will the spinach block the calcium I am getting from the other items in the same meal? I like to eat mixed greens and spinach together.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 12:36 PM hmm I don't think it interferes with other things so much as it just isn't a readily available source as other things might be. --Deb
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fiji51904 Joined: 01/12/10 Location: Ontario, CA Posts: 98	RE: spinach and calcium Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 8:55 PM txdoglover wrote: when she said won't give it up, she didn't mean she won't give it up, but that the spinach won't give the calcium up easily. Yeah, I got that...a little later on, LOL! Heidi
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