"Oxalate" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Oxalate is a type of salt containing oxalic acid, a weak organic acid found in many plant-based foods, such as spinach, beets, and cocoa powder. It is also found in small amounts in some minerals, like oxalate-containing rocks. In the body, oxalate is naturally produced and excreted through the kidneys, but high levels of oxalate in the urine can be a sign of certain medical conditions, such as kidney stones or skin conditions. In combination with other ions, oxalate can also form crystals, which can be responsible for various health problems, including kidney stones, pleurisy, or dementia.