You know I literally wrote the book on Gluten-Free (my book, Gluten-Free in 5 Days, is still available on Amazon). But I also know as an alternative practitioner that one food sensitivity does not usually a healing make; you need to isolate as many sensitive foods as you can. And here’s one other problem that’s often overlooked by the medical community. I didn’t even KNOW about salicylates until it tested positive for one of my very sick clients. Addressing it through diet and with supplements enabled her to lose 40 pounds and regain her well-being; the last time I saw her she was glowing with health. Here’s more “food for thought” from Designs for Health, one of my favorite supplement companies.
Oh … and the pineapple … that’s a high-salicylate food. The guinea pig is just for show …
So what ARE Salicylates?
According to the article …
Salicylic acid (salicylate) is produced by plants as part of their internal chemical defense against pathogens and environmental stress. The willow tree was one of the first places it was identified, and this ancient discovery still resonates today, in the form of aspirin. The medical use of salicylate–rich preparations derived from willow bark as pain relievers and fever reducers–dates back thousands of years. Salicylate may also play a role in fighting cancer. Many vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices are high in salicylate, which may be a contributing factor in why diets rich in plant foods are associated with lower risks for cancer. However, estimates of dietary salicylate intake vary widely, from 0.4 to 200 mg/day, and it is unknown how great an effect salicylate might have on disease processes. Some ethnic cuisines rely heavily on plant foods and employ specific herbs and spices that are high in salicylate, while other cultural diets, including the standard Western diet, are generally lower in salicylate. Some researchers suggest that the known protective effects of aspirin may have resulted in an emphasis on the importance of dietary salicylate, when other bioactive compounds in plant foods may play a greater role in supporting health.
What is Salicylate Sensitivity?
The article goes on to say that, even though salicylic acid may be protective for some, which is why baby aspirin is widely prescribed as heart-protective, there are others who are salicylate-sensitive. Such sensitivity, just like the histamine intolerance we talked about previously, may result in a wide range of symptoms such as asthma, hay fever, nasal polyps, GI problems, hives and other skin issues. Salicylate, therefore, reduces inflammation in normal individuals, but in the sensitive can actually cause it. One of the ways to reduce reactions is to cut down on high-salicylate foods.
Among the foods highest in salicylate are fruits (especially berries and dried fruit), tea, canned and concentrated tomato products, and popular herb and spices, such as curry powder, paprika, turmeric, oregano and rosemary. As is the case for foods that are high in histamine, people following healthful and nutritious diets may be consuming these salicylate-rich foods on a regular basis … particularly berries, which are suitable for low-carb, Paleo, and vegetarian diets alike, and turmeric, which has received a lot of attention for its health-promoting effects. Individuals with undiagnosed salicylate sensitivity may be intentionally consuming large amounts of these foods, and be unknowingly stymying their efforts to achieve their best health.
How can you treat it?
Supplements can also help reduce salicylate sensitivity. When I started researching this, I found several lay forums and lots of professional information about salicylates. And put my client on a regime of Milk Thistle, probiotics, fish oil, a multivitamin with minerals and N-acetylcysteine, vitamin D, digestive enzymes, Acetyl-L-carnitine, and D-ribose. Others who take supplements state that one sensitivity is linked to others (and … functionally speaking … why am I not surprised), including histamine and other amines, sulfates, gluten, casein, favor additional things like Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM. It’s also recommended that Epsom Salt baths twice a day sop up impurities and provide much-needed Magnesium Sulfate.
It took a year. But my client, by avoiding both sensitive and high-salicylate foods and aspirin as well as religiously taking the supplements I recommended, began to get better and shed weight. A far cry from the initial suspicious looks I got from her parents as some alternative charlatan had just bilked them out of thousands of dollars. And she had actually gotten worse. I hate hearing those stories as it casts aspersions upon those of us who just want you be well. By any way possible.
So I’m here to tell you that salicylate sensitivity is a very real thing, that it can also be linked to other sensitivities to food, gluten, amines, sulfites, and histamines. As far as I’m concerned, testing for these sensitivities can mean the difference between lingering illness and vital health.
Re Epsom salt baths & MSM. Just checking whether those with sulphur sensitivity can use them safely?
Also do you think that people with salicylate sensitivity & other food sensitivities are more prone to dysbiosis and/or gut infections?
Lastly, is there a more preferable probiotic for those with sal. sensitivity to take?
Oh, one more question. Even with eliminating as much as pos. over many years I still have very regular gut associated migraines and quite severe reactive hypoglycemia even though I meditate and lead a relatively stress-free lifestyle.
Thank-u. Enjoy ur day.
Great line up. We’ll be linking to this amazing post on our site.
Keep up the great writing.
Heni
You can be doing a ton and still suffer from food sensitivities. I’d like to talk to you about this. Please feel free to call me at 8449668228 ext. 1 or email jill@healyourhealthnow.com. Thanks.
What’s “MSM”?
I have celiac and I strongly believe I have salicylate sensitivity. I was told there’s no way to test for that. Wondering how you got a positive test from your patient. What type of testing did you do?
Also, what is a good probiotic for people who are sensitive to salyiclates?
Thank You, C
Cheryl
Please feel free to call me at 8449668228 ext. 1 and leave a message or email me at jill@healyourhealthnow.com. I’d love to discuss how I test for salicylates.
I have salycilate and histamine intolerance and i can’t any meat or fish or anithing can you help me?
Yes, I can sousou! Please contact me at jill@healyourhealthnow.com or call 833-YOUHEAL. I’ll also email you.
Hello, This is a great website, thank you for taking the time to write the article. Have a awesome day.
Thanks, Shanna. You too!
Hi Jill,
Thank you so much for your support.. my 6 year old son is battling this bad. In turn his ADD worsens.. will this ease as he grows? It’s so hard to maintain his diet.
Thanks for any advice
Michelle
Michelle
I’d really like to talk to you about this as I think your son would be a great candidate for Food Sensitivity testing. I’m committed to getting to the root of problems … and salicylate sensitivity is only a symptom. And … I’m afraid as you are … that your son will just get worse. Feel free to call me at 833-YOUHEAL.
With all due respect, you don’t seem to know at all how salicylates are detoxified. (Clue: there are four different ways, and they’re all found by doing a quick google search or pubmed search.)
People can get off these restrictive diets by supporting the detox pathways.
Kelly
Thank you so much for sharing your point of view. And with all due respect I think salicylate sensitivity is just a red flag for a deeper problem. And puzzling out the root cause is what I do. But I’d love it if you’d share what you do with the many people who read these blogs. And how you healed. As it may help one of my readers.
In health and harmony,
Dietitian Jill
Hi, thanks for this article. I have MCAS and I’m starting to figure out that all of my trigger foods are salicylate heavy….
Do you have any suggestions for probiotics? I know they can be a crucial and beneficial part of guy health. But ever since my MCAS symptoms began I react to every single version that I try. Even “low histamine” versions. They majorly aggravate my symptoms and pain. It’s discouraging.
My other question is vitamin D supplements. I seem to tolerate a 10,000 vitamin D supplement in olive oil…but I’ve been told that is high salicylate. I can’t tolerate vitamin D in soybean oil because I have a severe allergy. Is there a level of variance with tolerability? If I “feel” okay, could that mean I’m okay? Or am I unknowingly hurting myself inside?
As of now, the things that have a noticeable negative effect (some are actually allergies) are: berries, strawberries, watermelon, aspirin, almonds, peanuts, gluten, tomatoes, cucumbers, tumeric, vinegar.
Thanks again for an awesome article.
-Ana
Ana
Believe me … I don’t want to be critical … but please, please, PLEASE read my Article Beyond Salicylate Sensitivity. It’s about the many ways you can self-diagnose yourself wrongly.
And I can’t give you any advice unless I have a greater background around what’s going on with you. I can’t give you any suggestions at this time. I know you are frustrated and in pain. But you can’t guess with this stuff … you need to work with a professional.
I’m a HUGE advocate of getting to the ROOT of what’s ailing you. And salicylate sensitivity is a symptom of autoimmunity, which is where to body is attacking itself. There’s a REASON for that.
I’d be glad to assess what’s up with you. I can offer a low-cost 30-minute laser-focused session, RDX Prescription Solution. Click here to make an appointment if you’re interest in unraveling this huge puzzle.
In health and harmony,
Dietitian Jill