WHAT IS A LOW SALICYLATE, AMINE, GLUTAMATE DIET?
As the name implies, these diets remove salicylates, amines and glutamates for the die . It is common for people with compromised biochemistry function (particularly a detoxification pathway called sulfation) to have food intolerances to salicylates, amines and glutamates. Conditions associated with poor sulfation include ADHD, autism, microbiome imbalance, or autoimmune conditions such as lupus. As the name implies, this diet remove salicylates, amines and glutamates for the diet.
BioIndividual Nutrition Institute created the Low Salicylate, Amine and Glutamate (Low SAG) Diet based an amalgamation of multiple diets, research, and clinical experience. These diets remove the natural food chemicals that overwhelm certain people’s systems and cause symptoms.
WHEN CAN IT BE USEFUL?
A low SAG diet may assist children that have Autism that experience these common symptoms:
- Hyperactivity
- Red cheeks and ears
- Irritability
- Defiant behavior
- Self injury
- Aggression
- Sleeping issues – night waking or terrors
- Skin rashes
- Respiratory issues
- Diarrhea
- Cries easily
- Bedwetting
- Urinary urge/ incontinence
- Other indications for this diet include cravings for high salicylate, amine, or glutamate foods, or reactions to these foods
Poor sulfation causes difficulties metabolizing and detoxifying these natural food chemicals and can result in a variety of physical, neurological and behavioral symptoms. This diet removes/minimizes foods that are most difficult for a person with these biochemical imbalances to process. It reduces the burden on the body and decreases, and often eliminates, symptoms.
When nutrients are replenished and other contributors like microbiome are balanced, the food tolerances often improve. Working with a practitioner can help address supplementation and lifestyle factors.
HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT THE DIET
To implement a low SAG diet, certain foods are eliminated (or limited), typically short term for 3-6 weeks, then tested back. During the elimination phase, observe and record any change or improvement in symptoms, until ready to start testing back foods, by category, to determine tolerance or intolerance.
Testing back phases can vary. Some strategies add multiple servings of very high foods per day for one week, adding large amounts to make a reaction more obvious. Others use a more subtle approach, as they are highly sensitive and/or suspect these food intolerances, and are attempting to determine personal threshold. Even if quite restrictive at the start, it is not intended to stay that way, unless someone is truly sensitive. The objective is to re-introduce as many foods as possible back to ensure a balanced and healthy diet. Work with a nutrition practitioner for help.
If you want to explore implementing this diet with you child please give us a call we would love to help in the meantime if you want a SAG meal option check out our Cashew Butter Pancakes or our Banana Coconut Ice Cream
At Koru the best clinicians to book an appointment to explore implementing the SAG diet would be Thera Ip and Kylie James (both have experience in working with children on the spectrum).
Kylie James is a registered OT and a certified nutritionist as well as completed her Individual nutrition training in the states. Thera Ip is not only a nutritionist but also is a homeopath which provides a gentle motality that can help kids on the spectrum. Thera also has a child on the spectrum.
To book with one of them please go to our online booking page.
