You know that moment when you hear something you just can’t un-hear. This truth shakes you to the point you find your life changing. For me recently, it’s the truth about phytic acid.
Now, I know this sounds dramatic. And truthfully, I think the most shocking part was realizing that no one was talking about it. It’s like that moment you see something incredible only to look around and realize everyone else is just moseying on about life. Learning about phytic acid is my current incredible.
When you live a plant based life, most of the time you assume you’re making healthy choices. Right? Eating all the veggies you hated as a kid surely guarantees you’re healthier than the average joe. I wish.
After a recent visit to the dentist, I was shocked to find I had multiple cavities. To be honest, I almost fell out of the chair when they told me the number of fillings they wanted to give me. I couldn’t fathom how in my journey to be healthy I could go so wrong.
But I didn’t know about phytic acid then. Phytic acid is found heavily in plant seeds and is often considered an anti-nutrient. It can prevent the absorption of zinc, calcium and iron. And for those in diets low in animal products, over time this acid can cause deficiencies if not kept in check.
So where do you found phytic acid? It’s mostly in nuts, seeds and grains. You’ll find is some in fruits and veggies but the amount is lower.
image courtesy of Weed Em & Reap
Can I get rid of phytic acid? Yes and no. If you’re on a plant based diet or really enjoy eating nuts, grains and seeds, then the good news is you can lower the amount of phytic acid in your foods. This can be done by soaking or fermenting. If you want to know more about how to do that, I’d highly suggest checking out The Blender Girl’s full break down on soaking here.
Why is phytic acid such a big deal? If you’re on a more paleo diet, it’s probably not. However, if you suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies or are vegan, it’s definitely something to be aware of. Over time, high levels of phytic acid can cause tooth decay and other developmental issues.
What does this all mean for my diet? Personally, I’m on a one woman mission to heal my cavities. I have absolutely no desire to stick a bunch of fillings in my mouth. So I’ve chosen to adapt my diet to be as low in phytic acid as both my body and mind can handle.
It’s a decision we individually have to make. However, I would recommend that if you’re going to eat grains, you make sure that you’re doing everything you can to lower the phytic acid in them.
But whatever you choose to do, please make sure you do your research. Honestly, it seems like you could throw a rock and hit a reason not to eat something these days. And if you want to join me on my journey to heal my teeth naturally, I’ll be happy to share. Make sure to head over to today’s video for the day in the life of an elimination diet.
Resources:
http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/phytic-acid-101#section3
Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel*
