oxalates

[Barry Kuttner]

The OAT interpretation guide states that mineral conjugate base forms of oxalic acid are also byproducts of molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. Can high levels of aflatoxin or ochratoxin contribute to oxalate load? Are these toxins converted to oxalic acid or do you need fungal colonization in the GI tract or elsewhere in the body to produce oxalates? What is the route of oxalate production?

Topic

[Kurt Woeller]

Barry,
I don’t know specifically about mycotoxin contributions to oxalate. From my understanding colonization of the mold organism appears to be required such as in the gut, the lungs or elsewhere. How mold produces oxalate internally I am not sure. I did a quick search on ‘how does mold produce oxalate” and found this old article from 1915 on the topic. Might be of interest to read – http://www.jbc.org/content/22/2/287.full.pdf.

Sincerely,
Dr. Woeller

[Author]

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