Food is made up of macro nutrients like carbohydrates, protein and fats alongside micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Natural food is also made up of other chemicals that give food like an apple its colour, flavour, texture and smell. Salicylates are a type of natural chemical found in many plants that are part of their ‘immune system’ and are supposed to be ingested by humans without problem. However people with salicylate sensitivity experience adverse symptoms similar to those with lactose or gluten intolerance. Meaning the more they eat the more negative symptoms they experience. 

Salicylates build up in the body over time and people with salicylate intolerance can exhibit symptoms like:

• Headaches & migraines
• Eczema
• Hives
• Gut irritation with constipation or diarrhoea 
• Rhinitis
• Nasal polyps 
• Exacerbation of asthma
• Behavioural problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood changes

Foods that contain salicylates

Natural products that contain various amounts of salicylates:	Artificial products that can contain various amounts of salicylates:
Fruits Vegetables Honey Nuts Jams Herbs & Spices Beer & Wine Tea Coffee Juices	Perfumes or scented items Cleaning products  Some medications such as aspirin

Treating salicylate sensitivity

Salicylate free diet

A salicylate free diet looks at restricting or removing foods high in salicylates. This often provides instant relief for those who are intolerant and can identify if salicylates are a problem for you in the first place.

Whilst an elimination diet can initially be helpful it actually doesn’t address the root cause of the intolerance as few people are born with sensitivity but instead progressively develop one over time. 

Addressing the root cause

Healing leaky gut

Our intestines are lined with tiny little cells packed tightly together to form a strong barrier for our internal world. When we have disruptions to our microbiome those tight junctions become loose allowing foreign particles like salicylates to enter circulation and initiate an immune response. Healing a leaky gut is fundamental to recovering from salicylate sensitivity to ensure an abundance of salicylates are not accumulating in our bodies to cause a reaction.

Our expert naturopaths address leaky gut through comprehensive tests like the GI Map that allows the practitioner to correct microbiome imbalances and therefore tighten your intestinal barrier. Many people with a microbial imbalance known as SIBO are likely to develop salicylate intolerance as a result, check out our blog post ‘Is SIBO causing you gut problems?’ to see if this may apply for you.

Improve the detoxification and metabolism of salicylates

Even when we’ve healed a leaky gut it is normal for a small amount of salicylates to enter circulation. Being able to effectively and efficiently detoxify salicylates is crucial to avoid their accumulation and to be able to ingest them without getting symptoms.  

Salicylates are detoxified first through the liver and then the kidneys to go out into your urine. In your liver Salicylates are detoxified through the glycine or glucuronic pathway both of which can only detox a little bit of salicylates at a time. Our Naturopaths look at optimising these pathways through using supplements like:

• Glutathione
• Calcium-D-Glucarate
• Sulforaphane glucosinolate

Which provides your liver with the extra help it needs to quickly and effectively metabolise salicylates.

Reduce chronic inflammation and your toxic load

In our modern civilisation the human body is chronically burdened with an abundance of synthetic chemicals and stressors that overload our body. Reducing chronic inflammation and the amount of toxic products we come in contact with can in-directly address salicylate intolerance. By allowing our immune and detoxification systems time to restore to their full capabilities. 

Naturopath’s are experts at reducing inflammation and helping you identify hidden toxins in your everyday life.

Salicylate intolerance is definitely a condition that requires help from an expert practitioner, to book an initial appointment click here or if you’re still unsure book a FREE 15 minute phone consultation to see what we can do for you!