I've always wondered if the severe reaction I had to Pepto Bismol was due to the salicylate in it. There is a known relationship between NSAIDS, which contain salicylate, and MC.
The list of foods containing salicylates is long and includes many of the intolerances that people have on this board. Here are the salicylates rankings of some foods:
High
Fruit: Avocado, most other varieties of apples, cantaloupe melon, cherries, grapefruit, mandarin, mulberry, nectarine peach, tangelo, watermelon.
Vegetables: Alfalfa sprouts, aubergine with peel, broad bean, broccoli, cucumber, canned okra, parsnips, fresh spinach, sweet potato, canned tomatoes and tomato puree, watercress.
Grains: Maize.
Seeds and nuts: Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, pistachio, sesame seeds.
Herbs, spices and condiments: Yeast extracts.
Oils and fats: Almond oil, corn oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, walnut oil.
Beverages: Coffee.
Very high
Fruit: Fresh apricots, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, boysenberry, cranberry, fresh dates, grapes, guava, orange, pineapple, plum, strawberry, sultana.
Vegetables: Chicory, chilli peppers, courgette, endive, canned green olives, peppers, radish, water chestnut.
Seeds and nuts: Almonds, peanuts with skins on.
Sweeteners: Honey.
Herbs, spices and condiments: Basil, bay leaf, caraway, chilli powder, nutmeg, vanilla essence, white pepper.
Oils and fats: Coconut oil, olive oil.
Beverages: Peppermint tea.
Extremely high
Fruit: Dried apricots and dates. Currant, loganberry, prunes, raisin, raspberry, red currant.
Vegetables: Gherkins.
Herbs, spices and condiments: Allspice, aniseed, black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, celery powder, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, curry powder, dill, fenugreek, garam masala, ginger, liquorice, mace, mint, mustard, oregano, paprika, rosemary, sage, tarragon, turmeric, thyme, wine and cider vinegars.
Beverages: Cordials and fruit flavoured drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, tea.
I think it's a topic worth further investigation.
I am confused by Tex's statement in an earlier thread, however:
I suspect that the primary reason why cigarettes can mask the symptoms of celiac disease, (or gluten sensitivity of any other nature), is because of the salicylates in cigarettes. They include:
* benzyl salicylate
* ethyl salicylate
* isobutyl salicylate
* methyl salicylate
* phenethyl salicylate
* salicylaldehyde
If salicyclates are in NSAIDS, a suspected cause of MC, then why would smoking cigarettes
mask it? Is it because Pepto Bismol contains salicyclates and you attribute that ingredient (instead of bismuth) to the calming effect Pepto Bismol has on the colon? I suppose I can't relate because it had the opposite effect on me.
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
