Salicylates
Salicylates – what are they?
If you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems then you best sit up and take notice. This post is sure to provide you with some home truths about food intolerance symptoms, your own state of health and the impact of salicylates.
For starters, just let me say that it is no easy feat trying to get the ‘i’ and the ‘y’ in the right order when spelling salicylates. To pronounce salicylates, you say “sal-iss-i-lates”. The word salicylic acid is derived from the word “salix” meaning Willow. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that plays a major part, among other things, in the metabolism of plants.
Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals in food. They are a part of the make up of fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, seeds, bark and flowers. Salicylates are not added by a food manufacturer, they simply exist in nature in varying degrees.
Salicylates – reactions
According to Friendly Food written by experts at the RPA Allergy Unit in Sydney, the common food intolerance symptoms, or more directly, symptoms related to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, MSG and amines are hives and swelling, chronic headaches, mouth ulcers, stomach pains, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), nausea, sinus problems and a general feeling of being unwell. Reactions to salicylates can be just as debilitating as an allergy even though they are not considered the same thing.
Depending on how sensitive you are to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and amines, your reaction can vary. It can depend on your threshold, dose consumed of food high in salicylates and how regularly you have consumed food with moderate to high salicylates.
It might be comforting to know that as children get older their systems generally get better at handling naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates and amines. As food intolerance symptoms are linked to an irritation of the nervous system, we generally tend to grow out of the food problems. For adults, it can be a gradual build up along with what food we have previously put in our body that can cause food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates, amines and MSG.
Salicylates – what steps to take
If you would like to work out if you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates then you will need to conduct a food elimination diet. This food challenge should be conducted over a two to three week time frame.
Food colors, food additives and preservatives are usually also a problem for those who are sensitive to naturally occurring chemicals in foods.
To reduce the impact of salicylates you best look at what is in your pantry as well as products you are using personally and around the home. Here are some steps to take:
- Eat fruit that is moderate to low in salicylates most of the time.
- Remember that you can be dose affected so be aware of those foods that are high to very high in salicylates.
- Eat fruit when it is ripe as unripened fruit is higher in salicylates.
- Stop using herbs and change your oil to safflower or sunflower oil, until you have finished your food elimination diet.
- Flavors easily go undetected. Avoid flavors such as spearmint and peppermint.
- Look at your laundry detergents as these can be scented. Same with air fresheners and cleaning goods.
- Stop wearing perfume, aftershave or deodorant that has scents that may irritate you.
- Be aware that some medications such as Asprin contain salicylates.
- Peel fruit and vegetables as salicylates can be higher just under the skin.
- Make a list of alternative products before you go shopping to make it easier to avoid things with salicylates.
Friendly Food is one of the most comprehensive books covering food intolerance symptoms and naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, amines, MSG and allergies. It will assist you with a food elimination diet along with The Failsafe Cookbook.
I’ll be talking more about naturally occurring chemicals, covering Amines and Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG) in future posts. I’m interested to hear your story on food intolerance symptoms or feel free to add a comment if you would like me to reply directly.
Your News On Food brought to you byEileen Baudinette Food and Health Commentator. © 2009 – 2010 ———————–
Disclaimer:
I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.
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Hello Eileen,
Thanks for this Awsome blog, i really like the great work you put in every article on this site. Thanks.
Daniel Pedersen
Daniel PedersenÃ�´s last [type] ..Molo undertøj udsalg
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you like my blog.
Take care, Eileen.
Hello Eileen,
I never realised there was something called salicylates, I have been lucky myself in never knowingly having a food allergy but there seem to have been more and more people suffering from allergies and I had tended to put it down to more chemicals and additives but its clearly far more complicated than that. Its a very good thorough post and the links you provided will be very helpful to anyone suffering from an allergy. I shall certainly refer anyone I know that does suffer to have a look at your site.
I’ll also be interested to read the post about Mono-sodium Glutamate.
Regards
Dave
Dave�´s last [type] ..Why It Is Important To Know Skin Care Brands
Hi Dave,
Thanks for stopping by and glad you found my blog informative. Thanks for the nudge along with the MSG article too.
Now might be a good time for me to give it some attention. I also have a lot of interest around water fasting so that is an article in the making right now as I promised it ages ago. 
You are right in that chemicals and additives can contribute to food intolerance symptoms and I am glad you do not suffer from allergies.
The beauty about going through food problems is that my knowledge expanded and I love it that what I have learned now helps others. I would be humbled if you would refer anyone to my blog for “the news on food”.
Thanks again for your comment and stay well.
Regards, Eileen.
Good post perfect peyzaj
Thanks for the feedback Peyzay
Stay well, Eileen.
Hi Ellen,
I am wondering if this could be the cause of my headaches?
Jan
Jan�´s last [type] ..Average Salary Of Respiratory Therapist
Hi Jan,
Yes, salicylates may be causing your headaches. There are two things you need to do. Firstly, drink lots of water. Have a read of my article on Water Fasting. Also, to work out exactly what foods are causing the problem you would be best to do a food elimination diet. Also make sure you avoid additives and preservatives and especially sulphites.
Let me know how you get on and if you need any further assistance.
Thanks for your question.
Eileen.
The food elimination diet worked for me
Fuquay Varina NCÃ�´s last [type] ..Jason’s Pizza
Glad to hear that doing an elimination diet has helped you with your health.
Stay well, Eileen.
hi.
i was wondering if you know of anywhere i can get help being a [high] raw vegan who has major problems with salicylates [& actually possibly amines in higher doses].
i am a freeschooling mother of 3 children & salicylates seem to have major impact on my mental & emotional health [i do have a hypersensitive physiological system -assuming due to long term ptsd] i believe there has to be a way to be able to eat natural foods without this problem.. not just for my health but for my sons – particularly for 1 of them who appears to have severity of sensitivity like myself..
i just want some help.. i am so really down about this, i cant get out of the fog, because it just seems so overwhelming.
i have googled for months, trying to find nutritionists / naturopaths [both online & local] who are vegan or raw friendly to help me, but i cant find any..
thanX for listening.. just had an urge to respond, maybe someone reading has some suggestions..
Hi Meagain,
So sorry to hear you are going through this. Your body has a threshold with salicylates and amines and if you consumed lots of low amine foods in one day it would still push you up toward your threshold. For you, if you are able and have the support, I recommend water fasting. Then, reintroduce foods that you think you have an issue with slowly. While Friendly Food is not a raw vegan book, it does list veggies and fruits and their level of naturally occurring chemicals and that can be helpful I have found.
It is not uncommon for salicylate and amine sensitivities to run in the family and I found the same. You may need to do an elimination diet. I wrote an article on that here.
Yes, I fully appreciate that it can get you down. It is emotionally draining and stressful. Your food issues can be causing the fog too. It is hard to find help even with a conventional diet where food is a problem let alone a raw vegan diet where it can be considered “out there”. I think it is fantastic that you eat so well.
You might also like to look at any household products you are using too to make sure you are fragrance and chemical free. These can cause issues for some people too.
Let me know if I can assist further but I really think that 1. you should water fast and 2. you should have your son do a food elimination diet. That’s a good place to start. Drink plenty of water too.
Hope to assist you further.
Eileen.
Hi Eileen,
Just stumbled on your post while googling salicylate intolerance. We’ve just put the puzzle together and found out why our 9 year old daughter has spent most of her life defiant, irritable and argumentative. Food intolerance! I wanted to recommend the work of Sue Dengate as it has been invaluable over the last month
If even one person reads this and gets the benefit we have from it, then I’ve succeeded.
Great, informative post – thanks lots.
Tina
Hi Tina,
It is a huge relief when you work out that there is a little angel under the behavior you see as a result of food intolerance symptoms. I found the same with my son and I am so glad now that I don’t have to restrict his diet. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Eileen.
Is there away one can counter the effects of salicylates without the use of anti-histamine or some anti-allergens? I find myself becoming fat when I take in those drugs.
Theresa Zamora�´s last [type] ..Cannot get outdoor grill over 200 degrees?
Hi Theresa,
You are probably best to do a food elimination diet to find out which particular foods in the salicylate range are causing you problems. I don’t believe that drugs are the answer. I have also listed a number of resources on my blog that can help you work out what your food problems are and then move forward to a healthy diet where you don’t have to worry about food intolerances.
Thanks for your question. Stay well, Eileen.
Hi Eileen
Informative reading but where could i find your “food elimination diet” and also details on the “water fasting diet” please. Cheers Robbie
Hi Robbie,
Glad you found my article useful. My other articles are here http://www.thenewsonfood.com/food-intolerance/food-elimination-diet/ or or you can look at the tag cloud on the right hand side of my site to find further articles. Otherwise, you can post what it is you need assistance with or email me if it is too personal and I’ll help where I can.
I’ve listed a number of resources with each article that should help. If not…I’m here
Regards, Eileen.