[Low salicylate diet and the possibility of nutrient deficiencies].

Unfavourable reactions of the body to consumed food and/or medicines are an increasing epidemiological problem. Intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid is connected to the intake of some drugs and food containing salicylic acid. People suffering from this intolerance have to follow an elimination diet limiting the intake of salicylates. The elimination diet can lead to deficiencies in nutrients, and therefore we decided to test whether a low salicylate diet of various calorie content (1500, 2000, 2500 kcal) can pose such a risk.

Research material consisted of 30 diets (10 for each calorie content), prepared using nutrition software Dieta 5, recommended by the National Food and Nutrition Institute in Poland. Average nutrients’ contents were calculated and compared to current dietary standards for adults.

A low salicylate diet supplying 1500 kcal is, both for males and females, the most deficient diet with respect to nutrients’ contents. In the case of women aged 19–30 insufficient intake can relate to such nutrients as: potassium, calcium, iodine, vitamin D, dietary fibre and alpha-linolenic acid. In women aged 31–65 it can additionally lead to magnesium deficiencies. In men aged 19–65 a low salicylate diet providing 1500 kcal may not cover daily requirements for nine nutrients: besides those mentioned above, also vitamins E and C. However, low salicylate 2000 kcal and 2500 kcal diets do not pose a greater risk with respect to nutrient deficiencies.

Long-term use of a low salicylic 1500 kcal diet poses the greatest threat of nutrient deficiencies. Along with increasing the calorie content in a diet, the number of deficient nutrients decreases, but too high an energy intake may lead to subjects becoming overweight or obese. A low salicylate and low caloric diet requires consideration of additional supplementation.