Sensitive to Salicylates?

Quote of the Month
If diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
If diet is correct, medicine is of no need ~ Ancient Ayurvedic proverb

• Itchy skin, hives, rashes

• Stomach pain/upset stomach

• Asthma

• Headaches

• Swelling of eyelids, face and lips

• Fatigue

• Bloating

• Aching Muscles and joints

• Diarrhea

• Mouth Ulcers or raw hot red rash around mouth

• Brain fog

• Poor memory

• Behavioural problems

These symptoms seem fairly generic. You may have a gluten issue, arthritis, too much stress or even Irritable Bowels.  From a Chinese perspective you may have a Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver qi stagnation, Stomach or Liver heat. The other thing it could also be is a salicylate sensitivity!

But, what the heck is a Salicylate? Salicylates are chemicals that occur naturally in many plants – they’re a kind of natural pesticide – to protect the plants against insects and diseases.

Salicylates are just one group of the hundreds of compounds in foods that can have varying effects on us, depending on how much we eat and how sensitive we are. Salicylates are found in foods from plants: most fruit, some vegetables, herbs, spices, tea and flavour additives.

Salicylates are at their highest in firm unripe fruit and lowest when ripe fruit is ready to drop off the plant and also at their highest in the skin zone (skin and just under the skin).

A Salicylate sensitivity is the body's inability to handle more than a certain 
amount of salicylates at any one time.

Did You Know?

• Salicylates are increased in genetically engineered (GMO) plants in order to create greater resistance to disease
• Salicylates are made in laboratories for medications.  Aspirin – is the best known one!
• Salicylates are also found in medications, fragrances, industrial chemicals, plastics and some pesticides, and can cause adverse effects when inhaled as well as eaten.  Here are some examples:  toothpaste, teething gel, medicated lotions, perfumed products, cleaners, air fresheners, petrol