Issue 3 Update (July, 2000) NATURAL THERAPIES WITH AND WITHOUT SALICYLATES
by J. C. Waterhouse, Ph.D.

(Disclaimer: This material is intended for information only and is not medical advice. Neither CISRA nor the editor receive funding from any doctor, lab or manufacturer of any medication or associated products.)

The following information is an update to the Issue 3 article (1998): Natural Therapies With and Without Salicylates, Parts A through Part H

Part A.

As promised, we sent surveys to a number of supplement companies regarding salicylate content of certain products. However, only Solgar (www.solgar.com) responded by sending some information. We appreciate their cooperation very much. Unfortunately, they do not carry any of the products in the “maybe” category that we were most interested in, but they do have many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids etc... that are salicylate free. If you know of a supplement company that would like to provide information, please notify us. We are particularly interested in information in the “maybe” category (Part G) and have a form they can fill out. Any information on the salicylate content of particular products that our readers can share with us would also be appreciated.

Part B. TABLE OF NATURAL THERAPIES WITH AND WITHOUT SALICYLATES

(Warning: This is not intended as an endorsement or medical advice, nor does it include all possible salicylate-containing or salicylate-free items. Inclusion does not guarantee that the patient will not react to or be affected by an item--it is just our best information at present. Watch out for the term “natural” on the label for Vit. E, C, 5-htp, and other items, because it may be more likely to have been extracted from a plant and thus contain hidden salicylates. See Part G in the complete article on assessing questionable items (“Maybes”) and see Part A for general cautions and disclaimers. Also see Part C, below).

Condition/System: Allergy/sensitivity
Likely to Contain Salicylate: No changes
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: oxygen therapy, Buteyko breathing

Condition/System: Energy/mitochondrial support
Likely to Contain Salicylate: VesPro GHS
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: Amino acid combinations to increase GH improved deep sleep also helps maximize GH (see below)

Condition/System: Heart/cardiovascular
Likely to Contain Salicylate: No change
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: 1 to 2 grams arginine for hypertension (see warning, Part C, below)

Condition/System: Immune support/anti microbial
Likely to Contain Salicylate: SPV-30, plant-derived Traditional Chinese Med.
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: cetyl myristoleate, Pro Boost Thymic Protein A

Condition/System: Liver/detoxification and Vision
Likely to Contain Salicylate: mixed carotenoids, plant-derived Traditional Chinese Med.
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: carotenoids from many vegetables

Condition/System: Pain
Likely to Contain Salicylate: capsaicin (pepper extract)
Likely to be Salicylate-Free: osteopathy, Neural Therapy, Photonic Stimulator

Part C. Additional Information on Supplements and Treatments

Updating reference in allergy section: A recent controlled study showed that reduction of delayed (“hidden” non -IgE) immune sensitivities can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms significantly (Deuster & Jaffe, 1999, Musculo Pain 1998; 6: 133-149, copies available from Serammune Physicians Lab, 800-553-5472)

For information on oxygen therapy for chemical sensitivities and carbon monoxide poisoning, contact -- Albert Donnay, President, MCS Referral & Resources, Inc., 508 Westgate Rd, Baltimore MD 21229, 410-362-6400, http://www.mcsrr.org, http://www.mcsrr.org/poe/cohome.html. Dr. William Rea (Environmental Health Center, Dallas) presented a study indicating MCS patients benefited from oxygen therapy (AAEM conference, 1998; tape available from 1-800-NOW-TAPE). People with respiratory problems like asthma, allergies and a number of other conditions may be helped by the Buteyko breathing method, which counteracts a tendency to hyperventilation (see Breathing Free, by Teresa Hale, http://www.breathconnection.com. See Issue 6 for more on asthma).

ImmunoCal (800/296-8113) is a patented milk serum protein that has been shown to safely raise glutathione, the major naturally occurring antioxidant in the cell (Life Extension Foundation, 800/841-5433, also carries whey protein products, as does NEEDS, 800/634-1380, and CFIDS & FM Health Resource, 800-366-6056). There is also a non denatured whey product derived from goat’s milk from Capra Mineral Whey (800-789-1577). Pro Boost Thymic Protein A may be obtained either through Dr. Teitelbaum (800-FEEL-BTR) or the manufacturer (800-933-9440). Information on where Prolotherapy and Neural Therapy can be obtained may be found by calling the American Association for Orthopedic Medicine (800/992-2063). For apitherapy, see www.beesting.com. Information on the Photonic Stimulator can be obtained from www.alternativemedicine.com or www.balesscientific.com or the Oct./Nov., 1999 issue of the health magazine, Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Jay Goldstein has found that H2 blockers such as Tagamet (now available over the counter, warning--do not take if taking Coumadin) can abruptly relieve symptoms of infectious mononucleosis (Ann. Int. Med. 99(3): 410-411) and it helps in some cases of what has sometimes been called chronic Epstein-Barr virus (Ann. Int. Med. 105(1): 139). Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, has reported confirming Goldstein’s findings for acute infectious mononucleosis (often called “mono”), even in patients who were hospitalized for a month with the illness (From Fatigued to Fantastic Newsletter, Vol. 2(2), 1999).

Research has shown that a combination of amino acids at bedtime is helpful in increasing GH (growth hormone) production in children and anecdotally in the elderly (2 g. arginine, 1 g. lysine, 2 g. ornithine and 1 g. glutamine at bedtime is what is suggested, see Grow Young with Growth Hormone, by Ronald Klatz). See sleep article in this issue, as well as the listed therapies under “insomnia” in Part B, since good quality sleep may increase growth hormone production. Among prescription drugs, Ambien has been shown to be better at preserving deep sleep, the sleep stage when the most growth hormone is produced. Sometimes as little as a quarter of a tablet may be enough.

There have been anecdotal reports of supplements of the amino acid, arginine (1 to 2 grams per day) helping decrease hypertension. It is thought to act by increasing nitric oxide, a vasodilator. It should be used only under the advice of your physician, especially if you have an autoimmune disease, like Type I diabetes (Lucy Dechene, Ph.D., personal communication). If you have a Herpes infection, you may also need to take some lysine to balance the potential effect of arginine in promoting Herpes infections (see Lysine Special Report: Beating Chronic Fatigue” (Saturday Evening Post, Nov/Dec. 1995).

Part D. Physicians, Supplement Sources, Laboratories, Newsletters, References

The leading laboratory in Mycoplasma research and testing is the International Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., (you can call for an information packet and published articles, 888-882-8838, www.imd-lab-com). Mycoplasma are bacteria that have been implicated in CFS, FM, Gulf War Syndrome and a number of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.

Lyme disease (spread by tick bites) can mimic many other disorders, including certain psychiatric, neurological and rheumatic diseases, and may be involved in some fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cases. The Lyme Disease Foundation (800-886-5963) and the Lyme Alliance (517-563-3582) are two of the groups supplying information. Web sites include: http://lymedisease.about.com/health/lymedisease and http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/lyme-links.html.

Additional References: (Update)

St. Amand, R. Paul, M.D. ,and Claudia Marek, M.A. 1999. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia: The Revolutionary Treatment that Can Reverse the Disease. Warner Books, New York, NY. (Purchases made by first going to guaidoc.com and then clicking on the connection to Amazon.com will have a portion of the proceeds donated to a foundation for fibromyalgia research.) Lawson, Lynn, Living Well in a Toxic World: Understanding Environmental Illness, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Chemical Injuries, and Sick Building Syndrome. To obtain a copy, write a check to Lynn Lawson for $15.95 plus $3 s&h (Illinois residents add $1.28 sales tax) and send to: Staying Well, P.O. Box 1732, Evanston, IL 60201. She also edits a newsletter called CanaryNews (free sample newsletters are available from the same address, web site: http://www.mcshealthenviron.org).

Part E. Other Products and Foods (salicylate content)

Also avoid liquid, sublingual or chewable medicines with the mint, peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen flavors (e.g., some types of doxepin elixir or levsin tablets), since they may contain salicylates.

Part G. Some General Rules for Assessing Salicylate Content and Some “Maybes”

Update (July 25, 2000): Plant-derived products that are derived solely from any of the common grains (except maize meal), bran, soy or other legumes (like lentils, lima beans etc...) are probably essentially salicylate-free, since according to Swain et al. (1985), the salicylate content of grains and legumes are negligible (however, see disclaimers in Parts A and B of the entire article).

“Maybes” List: removed capsaicin (it is now in salicylate category) and added MGN-3, Huperzine A and cholestaid. This category is for items that should not be used until more information on their salicylate content is available from particular manufacturers.

Part H. An Example of One Person’s Choice of Salicylate-Free “Natural” Therapies
(Note: 2006 Update on supplements without vitamin D: 2006 Supplements List)

Vitamins: Unique E--a brand of Vit. E with mixed tocopherols (from NEEDS, 800/634-1380)

Miscellaneous: Baking soda (1/4 - ˝ tsp.) in water between meals to bring urinary pH to a more moderate level (6-7, measured on pH measuring tape ordered from Beyond Health 800/250-3063). Update (July 25, 2000): I decided to stop the baking soda because the pH of my saliva was too alkaline and the extra baking soda made it worse (it was greater than 7.5, whereas it is supposed to be between 6.0 and 7.0).

Personal Care Items: Lipstick or gloss from Andrea Rose Salicylate Free Skin Care (888-712-7673, www.andrearose.com, she is also coming out with a salicylate free toothpaste).

(No changes in Part F or Addendum).

Copyright 2004, J.C. Waterhouse, Ph.D.

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