By Dietitian Jill Place
What the H- is salicylate sensitivity? It’s a problem that’s often overlooked by the medical community (keep reading if you don’t think that’s possible).
I didn’t even KNOW about salicylates until it tested positive for one of my very sick clients with food sensitivity testing. 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.
Not only that, she was so inspired by the process SHE BECAME A NUTRITIONIST!
Another Salicylate Sensitivity Success Story
I received this comment here just the other day …
At 64 years old I self diagnosed with salicylate intolerance. 71 now. Took a few weeks to determine that was the main culprit. … Took a long time of eating low salicylates, maybe a year?,… Can tell everyone, my life has turned round since then.
My current doctor accepts the fact that I have diagnosed and he keeps me healthy. The previous doctor didn’t want to hear about it. That was the last appointment. (GOOD FOR HER!)
Took about 2 weeks of research to, more or less, decide I would try a low SAL diet. Took another few week to test the theory. Sure, I over indulge at times, but within limits. Last time I had pizza was 4 to 5 years ago.
Learned my lesson. … I just happened to stumble across it. THANK GOD!
A heart-warming story. But not everyone is as lucky to find exactly the right regime as this lady. Read on!
Oh … about the pic above … the pineapple … that’s a high-salicylate food. The guinea pig is just for show. And here’s my gift for you … MY low SAL diet!
So What ARE Salicylates?
According to an article by Designs for Health … one of my favorite supplement companies …
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 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 Salicylate Sensitivity?
I ALWAYS start with diet for EVERY person I treat. Because I’m a firm believer in the Functional Medicine concept of “Remove” … taking away what might be causing the problem in the first place.
Which usually starts with food. Unfortunately, we’re a lot more reactive to certain foods than we used to be even 10 years ago (don’t get me started!). So following some type of diet is the best (and cheapest) bet first.
So … again … here’s my Low Salicylate Diet …
If you think that salicylate sensitivity is a problem, trying the diet for a couple of weeks can possibly set you on the right track, So read it … plan it … and go!
If this IS the answer, then you might want to add …
Supplements for Salicylate Sensitivity …
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 a host of them (and … functionally speaking … why am I not surprised), including histamine and other amines, sulfates, gluten, and casein, favor additional things like Glucosamine Chondroitin and MSM.
Over the years … after working with many, many clients … I’ve refined my basic protocol. Now I’m giving it to you. Click the button below for instant access and to buy it. Not only that, I’m giving away MY EXCLUSIVE SALICYLATE SUPPLEMENT PROTOCOL … for free.
It’s not only the supplements I recommend after much trial and error that are only available to practitioners. It’s a step-by-step weekly plan to add supplements SLLLOOOWWWLY to prevent any negative effects.
Bodies don’t detox quickly … it’s a fact. So adding supplements to your diet little by little will ensure success. You deserve to be healthy. And this is the best way I know to get there.
MY Client’s Success Story
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. I also suggested Epsom Salt baths twice a day to sop up impurities and provide much-needed Magnesium Sulfate.
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 to be well. By any way possible.
As I said before, she is slim and healthy to this day. And was so inspired by the process SHE BECAME A NUTRITIONIST!
Sorting it out …
Bottom line … salicylate sensitivity is a very real thing And can also be linked to other sensitivities to food, gluten, amines, sulfites, and histamines. As far as I’m concerned, testing for these sensitivities with several functional tests can mean the difference between lingering illness and health.
But I’m also cautioning you that the success story I told you at the beginning of this article is a rarity. Most people wander in the cyber wastelands for years … and never find an answer.
And … even if you have lots of money to get lots of opinions from some of the top Functional Medicine doctors in the United States like another client of mine … you may not be able to instantly heal either.
So I beg you … try the protocol I’ve laid out for you. If you DO suspect that you have salicylate sensitivity and think that you’re ready to heal it … do my program. It’ll only cost you a couple of hundred dollars (the diet is FREE) and may mean the WORLD to your health. Again … click the button.
But … on the other hand … if you DON’T get better … or are only partially down the path. Give me a jingle. 833-YOUHEAL. DON’T wander in the cyber wasteland one more day!
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
I just realised how using a lot of spices and herbs, eating some fruits and veggies, are high in salicylates.I am allergic to aspirin, Motrin for years, and even cosmetics and cleaning products. Can cleaning with vinegar cause flare ups? I have nasal polyps, alletgic rhinitis for months, but following low salicylate diet, its improving. I use nettles and sometimes benadryl. Thanks for your knowledge,helps a lot!
Stephanie – Thanks so much for commenting. But PLEASE read my article, Beyond Salicylate Sensitivity. It’s SOOO important that you look for the root cause and NOT try to diagnose the h- out of this, which will most likely get you nowhere and into more pain. Please do me a favor … sign up for my “RDX Prescription Solution” so I can help you further …
Hello. I believe I have salicylate sensitivity and I would like to ask if you can recommend any Multi-vitamin and mineral supplements that qualify as low in salicylates and histamines.
Hina … please read my other article … Beyond Salicylate Sensitivity. In it, I explain that “believing” is not necessarily so. And, to really find out, it’s important to get to the root of what’s going on. And … I’m sorry … I don’t recommend supplements unless they’re for a specific problem. And I definitely don’t recommend them unless I can evaluate you. I have a low-cost laser-focused session if you’d like to pursue this further … click here.
I have mast cell activation, had mercury and lead in me – tested for it, I suspect mold, also sensitive to oxalates and salicylates…..I have detoxed for 3 1/2 yrs daily, started with milk thistle and a multi (from my holistic dr, got too expensive so went off on my own) I have tried many a detox and many supplements until finished. I am better but still have issues when I eat notty. Diet tho crucial gets so dam boring so I cheat with organic chips, etc. That sends me back to issues, skin, flushing, itching, dry eyes, floaters and more. Some days it is nearly all gone and some days have issues. I lost 112lbs due to diet and detoxing. I have gained 40lbs back due to chips and chocolate, again organic, but I get so tired of like 20 things only to eat. I take an active multi and many minerals etc and Nac and Calcium d glucatate which can help with oxcalates, what helps with salicylates? My holistic dr said I also have lyme disease too. This all has been hell and I hate it!! I have many good days doing my VERY boring diet and then cheat and suffer which sucks!! I only feel full filled when I eat chips or some carb that is ok in histamine like wild rice but cant eat much of it, pancakes from coconut and nut flours and I pay for it. I could go on and on.
Robin wanna talk? 833YOUHEAL.
Hey Robin … another thought. I know you’re frustrated but why are you self-sabotaging? And if you have Lyme you have parasites. Call me …
I need to talk to you please. How do I make an appointment?
Sundy … will send info to your email. Thanks for reaching out.
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A Salicylate Facebook Group said that Milk Thistle is high sals, is this true?
I’m not seeing that anywhere but remember that Salicylate Sensitivity is so much more than that … it signals a deeper problem. The person who took it may have reacted to it. All treatments are individual, and all supplements are either tolerated or not tolerated. I’d be glad to discuss whatever your particular problem is an suggest treatment … click on healyourhealthnow.com/letstalkHEATH to schedule a consult with me.