Salt is Essential for Your Health

I’ve always loved salt.  Back in the day, this meant white powder pouring onto fast food French Fries. Now, older, a tad wiser, and possessing more refined taste buds, I’ve found salt that’s both delicious and healthy. 

What?  Healthy salt? 

Yes, that’s right.  Salt (in its minimally processed, high quality form) may not deserve all the evil slashings it receives. 

Out in the mainstream, there’s a lot of confusing misinformation about salt consumption.  On the one hand, we’re told we need the iodine in “iodized” table salt to promote thyroid health and proper functioning.  On the other hand, we’re told to avoid consuming too much salt as it can cause high blood pressure, fluid retention and other health problems.  Most healthy conscious folks try to avoid it as much as possible, while fine chefs know that salt is an essential component to optimizing taste.  So, what’s the shake?

Salt is essential to life; without it we die. We are equipped with salt taste buds, and we need salt for protein and carbohydrate digestion, adrenal function, cellular metabolism and brain development. Unrefined salt provides us with many trace minerals that are also essential to life.  Most of the soil that grows our fruits and vegetables (even organic) is mineral poor, so a pinch of rich salt provides our bodies with minerals it requires.

The Facts about Salt Studies

Salt has been considered a valuable and useful substance for thousands of years by cultures throughout the world.  How is it possible that what’s traditionally been considered a healthy and helpful substance could suddenly prove so threatening?

While there are plenty of studies to support low-sodium diet claims, the fact is that there are plenty of studies that prove the opposite.

Research by epidemiologist Michael Alderman stresses it isn’t in everyone’s best interest to eat a low sodium diet to control blood pressure, and doing so may actually even do more harm than good for many people. After an extensive study, Alderman found that patients who consumed the LEAST sodium had the MOST cardiovascular complications and myocardial infarctions.  While some individuals who are “salt sensitive” may benefit from restricting sodium intake, the long term health complications and negative side effects of going low-salt are more likely to be problematic for the general population.

The Weston A. Price Foundation has compiled extensive historical and cultural evidence that that culprit in poor cardiovascular health and other “sodium” related issues is in fact tied to the onslaught of processed foods.  Their book, Nourishing Traditions, contains a wealth of information and wisdom regarding food choices and preparation for optimal nutrition.

Commercial vs. Natural Salt

To understand the truth about salt, the first thing you need to know is that commercial, table salt (in most salt shakers and packaged foods) is NOT the type of natural salt our bodies need for good health. 

Commercial salt is sodium chloride, a chemical this is made by processing natural salt at high temperatures which changes the molecular structure and strips other vital minerals that salt naturally contains.  Commercial salt also contains additives such as anti-caking agents, iodine, and even sugar.  Because it’s not in it’s natural form, salt as pure sodium chloride is excessive and the body must work to excrete it.  Table salt therefore, creates a heavy burden for the body, and excess consumption can certainly contribute to health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and fluid retention.

Because of the widespread use and abuse of processed salt, we have been told for years to avoid salt all together.  Following this advice can lead to even more problems. We are all salty on the inside– our blood, sweat, tears, and even our urine contain salts. It’s important to replenish the minerals in our bodies, but using the right salt is key.  The best way to put salt back into your body is to use high mineral content, minimally processed salts.

Choosing Healthy Salt

When choosing your salt, do it consciously.  “Sea Salt” that looks and tastes like Morton’s Iodized Salt probably isn’t much better for your body than the junk food salt.  Look for salt that contains other minerals, is not snow white and uniform, and doesn’t create a burning sensation when placed on your tongue.  High quality salt shouldn’t leave you feeling bloated or thirsty either.  Two great options:

Celtic sea salt (traditionally hand-harvested from the pristine coast of Brittany, France) contains over 80 minerals from the sea. The mineral content in Celtic sea salt is optimal for for maintaining proper fluid balance and utilization in the body. It also normalizes blood pressure, enhances digestion, and nourishes the adrenal glands. Celtic sea salt is available at many natural food stores. It costs more than commercial salt, but it’s a small price to pay for a grand investment in your health.  Celtic sea salt is also delicious, so your taste buds will be happy too.  This is what we use in our home.

Himalayan salt is another option. This surprisingly pink salt extracted from the Himalayas is said to contain all 84 elements found in our bodies and important trace minerals.  Mined and hand-washed, this salt is purported as a more pure alternative to sea salt.  Do a taste test to discover for yourself what tastes best and feels best in your body.

Sea Salt Tips

• Drink it- For an inexpensive alternative to sugary electrolyte drinks like Vitamin Water and Gatorade, try adding a pinch of sea slt and a squeeze of lemon to your water anytime including for better absorption on hot days, when working out, or when recovering from illness.
• Give it to baby - Though the common advice is to not salt baby’s food before the age of two, high quality sea salt is completely safe for babies and young children.  In fact, a pinch of good salt on their food will provide baby with much needed micro-mineral and help them to digest proteins and carbohydrates.
• Be Bold - Dump out your salt shaker and replace it with a pinch bowl of your new, healthy salt.  Add it to your dishes with confidence, rather than caution knowing you are adding flavor and vitality to your food and your body.  When out and about, either BYO salt or use convention salt with moderation.