Salicylate Sensitivity / Salicylate Intolerance and Tinnitus

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from a chronic or recurrent ringing, roaring, whistling, hissing, clanging or shrieking sound in their ears, according to How Stuff Works. This condition, called tinnitus, often occurs because the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that conduct sound are damaged, producing constant stimulation of aural nerves. A wide range of causes can contribute to this condition, including exposure to loud noise, aging, medications, hearing loss, allergies and stress. Several food or food additives can trigger or exacerbate ringing in the ear.
Salt

Many people with tinnitus report worse symptoms after eating salty food, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Salt restricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure within the major arteries while reducing blood flow into the eyes, ears and brain. Snack, fast and processed foods tend to contain large amounts of salt.
Salicylates

Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals that protect plants against bacteria, pests and disease. People with salicylate sensitivity can have adverse reactions to the accumulation of salicylates in their body. People with tinnitus can experience a worsening of their symptoms when exposed to salicylates, according to the Journal of Neurosciences. Foods that contain salicylates include fruits such as dried fruit, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberry, oranges, pineapples, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and tangerines. Vegetables with salicylates include peppers, tomatoes, and canned green olives. Other foods with salicylates include almonds, peanuts with skins on, coconut oil, olive oil, processed lunch meats, corn syrup, honey, jams and peppermint.
Beverages

For various reasons, several beverages can trigger or worsen tinnitus symptoms. Red wine, grain-based spirits such as rum and beer, cider, sherry and brandy all contain high to very high levels of salicylates. Beverages that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and energy drinks also exacerbate tinnitus, according to American Tinnitus Association. Caffeine may exacerbate in some people by increasing blood pressure and stimulating nerve cell activity.
Food Additives and Flavor Enhancers

The artificial sweetener, aspartame, reportedly can worsen tinnitus symptoms in people who are sensitive to this additive, according to American Tinnitus Association. Monosodium glutamate may cause adverse reactions, including migraines and exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms, in people who are sensitive to it.
Sugar

A significant portion of people with tinnitus have a sugar metabolism problem called hyperinsulinemia, according to the National Institutes of Health. Hyperinsulinemia occurs when the body develops an insensitivity to insulin and therefore fails to break sugar down and deliver it to cells. This resulting excess of glucose in the blood stream causes the pancreas to release more insulin. People with tinnitus who maintain a diabetic diet may experience an improvement in their tinnitus symptoms.
Fats

Although fats do not necessarily cause an immediate exacerbation of tinnitus symptoms, foods with saturated and trans fats contribute to poor circulation and reduce blood flow. A diet high in these unhealthy fats increases bad cholesterol and decreases good cholesterol, affecting long-term heart health and potentially heightening the severity of ringing in the ears. Foods high in trans and saturated fats include fried foods, whole milk, butter, shortening, ice cream, fatty meats like pork and beef, chicken skin and fat, snack foods and candy.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/211991-what-foods-cause-your-ears-to-ring/#ixzz28ttxV97p​

 

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What are the symptoms of Salicylate Sensitivity / Salicylate Intolerance?

This list of symptoms was compiled from a combination of resources dealing with salicylate sensitivity. The numbers on the right side of the symptoms identify how many resources sited that symptom as a symptom of salicylate intolerance. This list is not meant as a tool for diagnosis, but to give people an idea of the wide range of symptoms that have been associated with this issue. Symptoms could also be results of other serious problems, so do not assume that just because you have some of the symptoms listed on this site that you are salicylate intolerant or that salicylates are the cause of your symptoms. It is always wise to consult a doctor/professional and not self diagnose.
Physical Symptoms:

• Itchy skin, hives or Rashes 8
• Stomach pain/upset stomach 7
• Asthma 7
• Headaches 6
• Swelling of hands and feet 5
• Breathing difficulties 5
• Bed Wetting 5
• Mouth Ulcers or raw hot red rash around mouth 5
• Persistent cough 5
• Frequent need to urinate/urgency to pass water 5
• Wheezing 4
• Changes in skin color/skin discoloration 4
• Swelling of eyelids, face and lips 4
• Fatigue 4
• Sore, itchy, puffy or burning eyes 4
• Watering eyes 4
• Anaphylaxis (this is very rare, but deadly) 3
• Sinusitis 3
• Diarrhea 2
• Nausea 2
• Chronic sweating or no sweating 2
• Aching Muscles and joints 2
• Congestion 2
• Nasal polyps 2
• Chest pains
• Ringing in the ears
• Low platelet count
• Acne
• Addictions
• Arthritis
• Athlete’s foot
• Bad Breath
• Blackouts
• Bloating
• Blood sugar problems
• Blurred vision
• Breast pain
• Catarrh
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Coated tongue
• Colitis
• Constant Hunger
• Constipation
• Crawling sensation on skin
• Difficulty in Swallowing
• Dizziness
• Eczema
• Excessive thirst
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Itching
• Itchy and red ears
• Joint Pain, stiffness and swelling
• Lethargy
• Menstrual problems
• Metallic taste
• Migraine
• Cramps
• Muscle tremors
• Muscle weakness
• Nasal Congestion
• Palpitations
• Poor balance
• Post-nasal drip
• Pre-menstrual problems
• Racing pulse
• Recurring ear infections
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Feeling drained
• Flushes
• Food cravings
• Gall bladder problems
• Gritty feeling in eyes
• Heavy body odor
• High/low blood pressure
• Indigestion – recurring
• Insomnia
• Sleep disturbances
• Sore tongue
• Stiff neck
• Styes
• Temperature fluctuation
• Thrust
• Tics
• Tinnitus
• Urticaria
• Vertigo
• Weight problems

Mental and Behavior Symptoms:

• Hyperactivity 6
• Memory loss 5
• Poor concentration 5
• Cognitive and perceptual disorders 3
• Depression 2
• ADD 2
• Irritability 2
• Central Nervous system depression
• Accident prone
• Anxiety
• Anger for no apparent reason
• Behavioral problems
• Blankness
• Brain fogging
• Changes in handwriting
• Clumsiness
• Confusion
• Delusions
• Detached or unreal feeling
• Difficulty waking up
• Disorientation
• Dyslexia
• Feeling of dissociation
• Fidgetting
• Hallucinations
• Hearing without comprehension
• Inability to think clearly
• Indifference
• Math and spelling errors
• Mental exhaustion
• Mood swings
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Poor self image
• Poor memory
• Reading problems
• Restlessness
• Slow processing information
• Slurred speech
• Stammering
• Suicidal feelings
• Tenseness
• Uncontrollable rage
• Weepiness
• Withdrawn

 

If I suspect that I am salicylate intolerant what can I do about it?

An elimination diet is the only way to accurately determine if salicylates are the cause of your health problems. To do this you must avoid salicylates (by eliminating products containing salicylate and limiting your diet to foods that do not contain salicylate or are very low in salicylates) for 4-6 weeks. Once your body has gotten rid of the stored salicylate your should notice a difference in your symptoms – each person is different and it takes different people different amounts of time before they begin to feel better. After the elimination process you can start re-introducing foods containing salicylate (start with foods that are low in salicylates, then moderate and then try foods that are higher in salicylates). If you notice your symptoms returning go back to having no salicylates (or at least things low in salicylate) and let your system clean out again. Keep careful track of what things you react to and begin to form a personalized diet of things you can and can’t tolerate, and amounts you can and can’t tolerate. Hopefully before long you will be feeling healthier and symptom free.
An elimination diet should only be attempted after you have consulted your doctor and your symptoms have been reviewed objectively – NEVER SELF DIAGNOSE.
Be careful when reintroducing salicylates into your system after an elimination period. If you are not careful severe reactions can occur. If you reduce the level of salicylates in your system and then reintroduce too many salicylates at once (as in taking an aspirin, which is packed with salicylate) you can go into anaphylactic shock, which could result in death. It is always best to consult a professional before attempting any new diet.

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Food Guide

Welcome to the Salicylate Food Guide. This list has been composed out of many lists from a variety of sources and I hope that it will be a complete and helpful guide to you. However, you will notice that some foods are not on the list. If there is something missing from the list it is because it has not been tested for salicylates or there was not enough complete evidence suggesting which category it should go under. I recommend that you avoid items that are not on the list as they may contain salicylate, especially during the elimination diet. After doing the elimination diet you can try out foods not on the list to see if they cause a reaction for you, but I would recommend doing this with caution and under the supervision of a doctor/specialist as anaphylactic shock can occur from introducing too many salicylates into your system at once.
I hope this Food Guide is helpful to you. If you find yourself overwhelmed by how many things contain salicylates and how few things there are that have negligible/low amounts of salicylates check out our Recipe Page for helpful recipes made only from things in the negligible and low categories.
Click on one of the categories below for information about their salicylate content.
Fruits
Vegetables
Nuts & Seeds
Sweets
Seasonings,
Condiments,
Sauces & Toppings
Fats & Oils
Grains
Meat
Dairy & Soy Products
Baking Supplies
Commercial Snacks
Beverages
Alcohol

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Products

There are a variety of different products containing salicylate and it is sometimes difficult to determine if a product is salicylate free or not. Hopefully this page will help.
Products that often contain Salicylates:

• Acne products
• Air fresheners
• Alka Seltzer
• Breath savers
• Bubble baths
• Cleaning products
• Cosmetics
• Detergents
• Essential oils
• Fabric conditioners
• Fragrances and perfumes
• Gums
• Hair sprays, gels and mouses
• Herbal remedies
• Lipsticks and Lip glosses
• Lotions
• Lozenges
• Medications
• Mouthwash
• Muscle pain creams
• Pain relievers
• Pepto-Bismol
• Razors with aloe strips adjacent to the cutting edge
• Shampoos and Conditioners
• Shaving cream
• Skin cleansers or exfoliants
• Soaps
• Sunscreens and tanning lotions
• Supplements derived from rose hips or bioflavoniods
• Toothpaste
• Topical creams
• Wart or callus removers

Terms/Ingredients to Avoid:

• Acetylsalicylic acid
• Aloe Vera
• Any coal tar derived dye
• Artificial flavorings
• Artificial food colorings
• Aspirin
• Azo dyes
• Benzoates (preservatives)
• Benzyl salicylate
• Beta-hydroxy acid
• BHA
• BHT
• Choline salicylate
• Disalcid
• Ethyl salicylate
• Eucalyptus Oils
• Isoamyl salicylate
• Magnesium salicylate
• Menthol
• Methyl Salicylate
• Mint
• Nitrates/Nitrites
• Octylsalicylate
• Oil of Wintergreen
• Peppermint
• Phenylethyl salicylate
• Red Dye (#40)
• Salicylaldehyde
• Salicylamide
• Salicylate
• Salicylic acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Spearmint
• Yellow Dyes (#5 & #6)

Brand Names of Common Drugs containing Salicylate

This is not a complete list of all drugs containing salicylate, but it is a start and hopefully will aid and help you in avoiding drugs/medications that contain salicylate. If you are taking a medication and you are not sure if it contains salicylate or not check with your pharmacist or doctor. Never start the elimination diet with out checking all medications and first and consulting a professional. Never start taking a medication with salicylate in it directly after the elimination diet and shock can occur from introducing too much salicylate into your body after it has gone a long while without salicylate. This list was put together by the Mayo Clinic.

• Acuprin 81
• Amigesic
• Anacin Caplets and Tablets
• Aspirin Regimen Bayer Adult Low Dose
• Aspirin Regimen Bayer Regular Strength Caplets
• Bayer Children’s Aspirin
• Bufferin Caplets and Tablets
• Disalcid
• Extra Strength Bayer Asprin Caplets and Tablets
• Mobidin
• Mono-Gesic
• Norwich Aspirin
• P-A-C Revised Formula
• Regular Strength Ascriptin
• Salflex
• Salsitab
• Sloprin
• St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin
• Tricosal
• Trilisate
• ZORprin

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