Is it possible to eat TOO MANY GREENS??

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Permalink Reply by PK on August 21, 2012 at 3:59am

Well, chimps and other primates might eat up to 40% of volume and caloriesof their diet from tender greens.  That could be as much as 13-15 pounds a day for some species!

If we eat within our calorie limits, 2500-3000 a day, and most people here naturally cannot eat more than 5000 a day, and we eat the right kind of greens, lettuce greens, most people do fine.  Benefits of lettuce greens include:

Higher Mineral Content of Greens Compared to Some Fruits
Calcium Phosphorus Ratio 1:1
Chlorophyll and Magnesium
Cobalt and Vitamin b12 Precurser
Green Consumption in Primates
Prevention and Healing with Diet
Oral Health
Benefits for Bodybuilders
Edible Greens: Leafy Lettuces

Benefits of Lettuce Greens

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However,

Where people go wrong, and doctors are correct in saying do not eat to many, is that people confuse eating greens with eating the cruciferous veggies like kale and spinach.  These veggies are high in irritating compounds like sulphur and oxlates.  High oxalate consumption can lead to the following:

Immediate symptoms of high oxalate consumption include burning mouth and throat during consumption, breathing and asthma symptoms, digestive upsets including sour stomach, stomach pains, diarrhea, blood in stools, constipation, gas, bloating, acne and skin eruptions, possible hair thinning and loss, arthritis, kidney stones and kidney problems, urinary pain and or problems, irritation of the genitalia, body odor, and slowed digestion which makes it difficult to eat enough calories during the day.

Long term symptoms and diseases related to high oxalate consumption include kidney stones and kidney disease, urinary problems, breathing and asthma problems, digestive system irritation and or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), prevention of calcium absorption and assimilation with risk of osteopenia (bone softening), osteoporosis, and jaw, oral, and dental problems, iron deficiency anemia, and other systemic problems such as calcification of tissues and arteries also known as hardening of the arteries and or arteriosclerosis which can lead to heart problems and cerebrovascular accidents and strokes.  

Oxalate Health Impact

In summary, if simple meals but a rainbow of fruits are eaten over a period of time, and supplemented with about 1/2-2 pounds of lettuce greens a day, most people will thrive.  

Peace, PK

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Permalink Reply by For_The_Love_Of_Fruit on August 21, 2012 at 4:12am

Thanks!! So much great info!!! :) 

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Permalink Reply by Amy Apricot on August 21, 2012 at 10:53am

so we should only eat lettuce greens?  :)

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Permalink Reply by For_The_Love_Of_Fruit on August 21, 2012 at 10:55am

I personally still think you can eat any greens your body reacts well too. For me personally, any tender leafy green will do (spinach included). 

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Permalink Reply by PK on August 21, 2012 at 11:02am

@amy, 

That is pretty much a yes.  Eating other things as an occasional treat might not do any harm. 

However, 

Even though some people might feel ok eating things like kale and spinach, how they react on a chemical and molecular level in the body could cause long term problems.  These are high in oxalate which inhibits calcium absorption and could promote bone and dental problems down the road.  Also, oxalate combines with calcium to form crystals.  These can form kidney stones and or get deposited in body tissues and joints promoting arthritis.  

Peace, PK

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