Sally Norton and the Hidden Link Between Oxalates and Unexplained Pain
When you feel pain and the tests come back “normal,” it can leave you questioning yourself. Many of us have been told by a doctor that nothing is wrong, or worse, that the symptoms might be in our heads. I remember a doctor once suggesting I “just go to the gym” while I was already playing tennis three times a week and walking regularly. The disconnect between what we feel and what we’re told can be discouraging.
Sally Norton knows this story well. She’s a trained nutritionist from Cornell University who followed the advice of eating a plant-based “wholefood” diet. On paper, it looked perfect. In reality, it was making her sick. By the time she reached 50, Norton was living with unexplained health problems that no doctor could solve. She was doing everything “right” yet her body was failing her.
That frustration sent her down a path of research. She uncovered the hidden danger of oxalates, naturally occurring compounds found in many plants. For some people, eating high-oxalate foods like spinach, almonds, or sweet potatoes in large amounts can build up crystals in the body, leading to inflammation and chronic pain. Norton realized her so-called healthy diet was fueling her misery.
Her recovery led her to write Toxic Superfoods, a book that challenges the idea that plant foods are always harmless. She explains how foods marketed as nutrient-dense and “super” can, for some, become the root cause of joint pain, fatigue, gut issues, and even nerve pain. Her goal is to help others understand what doctors rarely discuss: sometimes food, not pills, is the missing piece of the puzzle.
I share her mission. Medical schools don’t train doctors in nutrition. They are trained to prescribe or operate. That’s not a criticism, it’s a fact. So when patients report vague pain or fatigue, it’s easy for doctors to reach for a prescription or dismiss the symptoms altogether. But as Norton’s story shows, what you eat matters more than most people realize.
This doesn’t mean you need to cut out every high-oxalate food forever. You don’t need to obsess or become paranoid about food. What matters is awareness. Knowledge is power. You don’t have to give up sweet potatoes entirely, but you should know what you are eating and how it can affect you. With that understanding, you can make mindful choices that support your health rather than compromise it.
If you are living with unexplained pain, you are not alone, and it’s not in your head. Before you accept a life of pills and unanswered questions, take a closer look at your plate. You might find that some foods, even those labeled as “healthy,” are standing in the way of your recovery.
Your health is in your hands. Every bite shapes your energy, your joints, your sleep, and your future. You don’t have to be perfect. You simply need to be aware that the foods we’ve been told are the answer may sometimes be part of the problem. Sally Norton’s work is proof of that.
Disclaimer: The content shared here is for informational and educational purposes only and should never be taken as medical advice.
In writing this blog post, my goal is to distill research findings into a clear, approachable format that encourages critical thinking and empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
