Salt: Good or Bad ?

Who would have thought, there are different kinds of salt; one that is actually good for you and the most common type which you will find is not very good for you.

Natural salt is actually unrefined salt; it has not been altered in anyway by man. Unrefined salt contains many different minerals and elements that are useful for the body; 80 minerals and elements to be exact; all of the necessary elements for life. Refined salt, which most of us are used to; contains only two major ingredients: sodium and chloride.

Refined salt is formed by processing unrefined salt treated with chemicals, (sulfuric acid or chlorine); this gets rid of all of the good minerals. The contents of refined iodized salt are sodium, chloride, ferrocyanide, aluminum silicate, ammonium citrate and dextrose. The names that you have trouble pronouncing above are products that offer NO health benefits to the body.

Salt is refined because when you take all of the good stuff out of it has a longer shelf life; it can sit on the shelf forever because it is a lifeless product. They also refine salt because then it looks nice and pretty white; consumers seem to like that.

Unrefined salt contains much more than just sodium and chloride; unrefined salt contains all of the elements necessary for life.

Two brands of unrefined salt you should buy are Redmond's salt or Celtic sea salt.

Eating refined salt and in general refined foods such as refined sugar, flour and oils; lack minerals, vitamins and enzymes. When we eat these devitalized foods, our body has to use its own store of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to break down food. Just think of eating these refined foods for years and years, it results in nutrient deficiencies and chronic illness. Chronic illness seems to love an acidic environment to live; when we eat refined foods this leads to high acidity in the body. It is virtually impossible to overcome a lasting illness when acidic conditions are present. Cancer, allergies and arthritic conditions are just a few of the chronic illnesses that flourish in an acidic environment.

Unrefined salt helps to maintain a more neutral pH and can actually make the environment more alkaline or basic.

Low salt diets, good or bad?

A low salt diet can be helpful for hypertensive people, but not as much as you think. One study showed that restricting salt intake for hypertensive patients resulted in a decrease in blood pressure, systolic by 4.9 mm Hg and diastolic by 2.6 mm Hg. While this is certainly a decrease in blood pressure it is not of any therapeutic significants.

Salt is excreted by the kidneys, so individuals with renal failure have to carefully watch their sodium intake because their kidneys are not able to clear or get rid of the salt like it is supposed to. Renal failure patients should certainly consult their doctor before changing their salt intake.

There are NO conclusive studies that show that low salt diets decrease blood pressure; if you are a salt sensitive patient you may show only MODEST improvement in blood pressure but it sure does not go for everyone.

Low salt diets can actually cause serious health problems. One study showed the relationship between a low sodium diet and heart disease. 3000 hypertensive patients were studied; the results showed a 430% INCREASE in heart attacks in the group with the low sodium intake compared with the group with the highest sodium intake. How can this be? low sodium diets cause depletion of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. Consuming the proper amounts of magnesium, potassium and B vitamins have been shown to be very beneficial in treating cardiovascular disorders. Deficiencies in calcium, potassium and magnesium have been shown to contribute to the development of heart disease and hypertension.

Low salt intake can also contribute to cholesterol problems, dehydration, seizures, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, decreased hormone production, decreased immune system function, and thyroid dysfunctions.

Take Home Message:

STOP EATING REGULAR TABLE SALT, OR REFINED SALT.IT HAS MANY MORE ADVERSE AFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH THAN POSITIVE AFFECTS.

THE TWO BRANDS YOU SHOULD SEEK OUT AT YOUR GROCERY STORE HEALTH FOOD SECTION, INTERNET, OR WHOLE FOODS ETC ARE:

1. Celtic Sea Salt

2. Unrefinded Redmonds Salt

Common Therapeutic Uses of Unrefined Salt

Poison Ivy- soak affected area in hot salt water (1/4 tsp per quart of water)

Insomnia - one large pinch of salt with a small amount of warm water before going to bed.

Muscle Cramps - take ¼ tsp of salt with water before and after exercise.

Detoxification - adding 2 cups of salt and 2 cups of baking soda to the bath.

Circulation - helps expand blood vessel volume and helps improve circulation.

Asthma - at the onset of wheezing, place one large pinch of salt on your tongue and drink 8oz of pure water (room temp). Repeat in 15-30 minutes.

Runny nose - mix ¼ tsp of salt with ¼ tsp baking soda in 80oz of pure water and use as a nasal spray. Helps lubricate and stop drainage of the nasal passages; it also acts as an antibacterial agent and antihistamine.

All of the information from this article is directly taken from David Brownstein MD; he wrote the book, Salt Your Way to Health. This is an amazing book; it is one for the home library.

PLEASE check out his website at: www.drbrownstein.com

He is an amazing MD with a very holistic view and approach to medicine and healing.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tyler Hamel
Chiropractor
Pinnacle Health & Wellness