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SALT:
AN ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
FOR YOUR HEALTH
Article by herbalist
Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
In my last article I
discussed the importance of water. In today’s article we
will look at another key nutrient that works with water
balance in the human body. Salt has gotten a bad rap in the
last few years because it is attributed to increased blood
pressure. There is now conflicting information as to if
salt is the cause of blood pressure problems or if it is
just an antagonist. Let me elaborate further, the body
requirement for salt or sodium is approximately 1800mg
–3000mg per day.
The latest statistic shows
that Americans are consuming anywhere from 10000-17000mg
per day. As you can see this is far greater than what is
required by the body and this amount does affect the body
negatively. Unfortunately most of this salt is hidden in
foods that are already prepared and that makes it harder
for one to regulate. This article will deal with quality
issues when choosing the type of salt to use and we will
discuss some of the health benefits and detriments of salt.
All salt originates from the
sea. Dry salt beds were at one time part of the oceans. The
mineral content of dry salt beds does not match the mineral
content of sea water mainly due to surface run off over
thousands of years. Seawater is a natural source for dry
sea salt and the mineral profile is very similar to our
bodies.
So how is salt processed?
This is a good question
because most salt that we buy is refined and
processed with numerous chemicals. Let me elaborate,
refined salt can have
up to as many as 11 different additives. In the
refining
process 82 trace minerals and essential macronutrients
are
forcibly removed leaving only sodium and chloride.
The
following chemicals can be found in refined salt:
ferrocyanide, yellow
prussiate of soda,
tricalcium phosphate,
alumino-calcium silicate, and
sodium alumino-silicate. These
chemicals prevent moisture from forming in the box etc.
Dextrose, yes sugar is added as a stabilizer and a toxic
form of iodine approximately 20 times the natural occurring
amount of iodine to prevent goiter is added. These
unnatural chemicals have been suspect in leading to
hardening of the arteries not to mention the toxic effects
on the liver.
Sea salt is the preferred
choice when selecting a salt product. Sea salt is
produced
by evaporating seawater in huge bed and then purified to
remove unwanted materials. The only substance added is
magnesium chloride as an anticaking
agent. People ask me about the iodine issue and I always
refer them to other forms of iodine that can be used or to
begin consuming sea vegetables which have natural iodine.
I consider sea salt to be a
living salt. This means that it has a positive effect on
the body. Lets look at this a
bit closer as how salt affects body systems and tissues. A
complex salt solution surrounds and circulates throughout
the body cells, forms the plasma of our blood, and
constitutes the lymphatic and duodenal fluids. In
traditional healing systems such as TCM (traditional
Chinese medicine) or Ayurveda, salt strengthens the kidneys
and bladder. It helps support the kidneys ability to
eliminate waste form the blood and maintain proper pH.
It is known to support immune functions and to
alkalinize the spleen and digestive functions.
Energetically it is known to strengthen courage and will
power. Of course, when salt is imbalanced it negatively
causes constriction of the kidneys and contracts
circulation to all the organs. Lack of will power and fear
are attributed to excesses of salt.
The benefits of using sea
salt in European medical circles have shown the following
benefits. Restoration of hemoglobin count, normalized heart
functions, improved muscular tone, enhanced functions of
the parathyroid and adrenal glands, the nervous system
better assimilation, gastric acid neutralization, angina
and cancer. They again are using live or real salt.
Another key mineral that
works in harmony with sodium is the mineral potassium. The
sodium potassium ratio is very important. On a cellular
level, potassium resides on the inside of cells while
sodium permeates the fluid on the outside and between
cells. When potassium to sodium ratios are
equal the body’s water and
acid/alkaline balance is stable and nerves and muscles
function properly. When this equilibrium is out of balance
neuromuscular functions decrease and the body becomes weak,
muscles lose tone and reflexes become poor.
Because sodium
usually is in excess, potassium has a curative role. An
example of this is when treating high blood pressure. Salt
is restricted and potassium supplementation is implemented.
Increasing potassium rich foods like green leafy
vegetables, all types of potatoes, soy products, millet and
other grains, beans and most fruits will help keep ratios
in balance. There is no standard for this potassium to
sodium ratio but eating a whole food diet usually is
adequate.
Some of the signs of excess
and deficiency of salt are as follows. Excess
consumption
is known to elevate blood pressure, cause ulcers and cancer
of the stomach, edema, cravings, and calcium deficiency.
Early signs are unusual thirst, dark urine and complexion,
clenched teeth and bloodshot eyes.
Insufficient salt
sometimes due to low salt or restricted salt diets cause
reduced strength and sex drive, intestinal gas, vomiting
and muscular atrophy.
One question I get regularly
is why people who crave salt. The
adrenal glands working with the kidney help to maintain how
stress affects us. Salt is needed to balance an adrenal
insufficiency problem that is usually caused from an over
consumption of refined foods like sugar, caffeine, soda
pop, alcohol and other mineral depleting substances.
The
mineral magnesium has a role in this salt craving issue.
The above lifestyle imbalances usually deplete magnesium
level in the body.
When magnesium levels are low the body
craves salt as a way to try to bring about balance. There
is a definite correlation between the consumption of sugar
and salt.
The way to curb these cravings is to reduce both
at the same time.
A good book to read about
the benefits and history of salt is
Seasalt's Hidden Power by Jacques De
Langre.
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