Salicylate Intolerance

Salicylate intolerance

  • What is salicylate intolerance?

    Salicylate sensitivity is any adverse effect that occurs when a usual amount of salicylate is ingested. People with salicylate intolerance are unable to consume a normal amount of salicylate without adverse effects.

  • What are symptoms of salicylate intolerance?

    The most common symptoms of salicylate intolerance are:

    Stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or constipation

    Itchy skin, hives (also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps), skin rash,

    Asthma and breathing difficulties

    Headaches and others


  • How can salicylate intolerance be confirmed (diagnosis)?

    There is no laboratory test for salicylate sensitivity.  Typically testing is done by an "elimination and challenge diet.

    An elimination diet avoids salicylate-rich food. Maybe after 2 to 4 weeks, you start with a challenging diet.

    During the provocative challenge, the person takes incrementally higher doses of salicylates, usually aspirin, until symptoms appear.

    Suppose the elimination diet is able to eliminate the salicylate-associated symptoms and the challenge diet is able to trigger the symptoms. In that case, you can learn which type of food might be inconvenient for your digestive system. 

    A dietician or gastroenterologist can guide you regarding the diet plan.


Avoid: Not tolerated food high in salicylates
Vegetables Broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, radish, spinach, eggplant, tomato, red bell pepper, cucumber and pickles, zucchini, cinnamon, curry, paprika, oregano, mustard, cayenne, pepper
Fruits Grape, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, melon, peach, nectarine, plums, apple
Bread, grain
Legumes, pulses
Nuts Almond
Processed food
Others Tomato sauce and ketchup, honey
Maybe:
Dairy
Protein
Sweets.
Prefer to eat: Tolerated food low in salicylates
Fruits Pears, banana, apple, orange
Vegetables Celery, green bean, lettuce, rutabagas, green onion, vanilla, beans, legumes, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, garlic
Dairy Milk, butter
Protein sources Fish, poultry,meat (unprocessed), eggs
Nuts, Seeds Butternut squash, cashew, chive
Others Salt
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