Before we start this debate, we first must define the difference between table salt and unrefined natural sea salt, and yes there is a difference. Table salt is a heavily processed form of the natural version, basically it has been mined, heated and chemically treated, making it undesirable to our bodies. It contains about 97.5% sodium chloride and 2.5% chemicals, such as iodine and moisture absorbents.
Then we have the other side of salt, the unrefined natural salt, such as Himalayan salt. This version of salt is made up of about 84% of sodium chloride and 16% of naturally occurring minerals, including trace minerals such as silicon, phosphorous, and vanadium. 100% natural sea salt is still harvested the way the way it was thousands of years ago, dried naturally by the sun, keeping all the trace and micro-nutrients remaining fully intact, as well as the proper sodium-chloride ratio.
Most people salt their food unconsciously, many even do so before tasting their food to determine if any salt is needed. It isn't until medical conditions arise and they are told to reduce their salt intake that people begin to pay attention. Years of table salt and processed foods consumption can lead to possible hypertension, gout, kidney or gall bladder stones, and even cellulite. Bloating is also a common symptom of salt overload, due to it's ability to cause the body to retain water. For every gram of excess sodium chloride that your body has to neutralize, it uses up 23 grams of cellular water. But these problems arise because most of the population only use table salt, which is mainly sodium chloride.
When we switch out table salt and processed foods, for unrefined natural sea salt then the body can actually benefit from this substance. In fact salt is actually essential for proper biological functions in the body. Hence when you cry or bleed they both have a salty taste; proof that salt is a natural part of our body. Unrefined natural salt helps to carry nutrients into and out of your cells, helps the lining of your blood vessels regulate blood pressure, helps to regulate propagation of nerve impulses, and helps your brain send communication signals to your muscles.
In new studies, researchers are finding that it is not merely too much salt intake that is causing health concerns, it is excess salt consumption along with too little potassium. This is seen in the majority of processed foods which are usually high in sodium and low in potassium. Unrefined sea salt, helps to avoid this imbalance, along with eating more "real" foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
Remember, even too much of a good thing can be bad, so make sure to use even unrefined natural sea salt in moderation. Also, since your body can't process table salt, or receive any benefits from this altered substance, eliminate it from your diet as well as processed foods.
When shopping for sea salt, make sure it is labeled unrefined, if it is white, then you know it has been processed. Look for gray or pink colored salt, such as Celtic or Himalayan salts.
A few side notes:
For people that crave salty foods, this may be an adrenal issue. If this is you, I suggest having your health care practitioner run an adrenal stress index test on you to determine the state that your adrenals are in.
For those with an autoimmune thyroid disorder, such as Hashimoto's it is important to avoid iodine. Iodine can lead to further attacks against your thyroid gland. For more information on Hashimoto's, I suggest reading, "Why do I still have thyroid symptoms, when my lab tests are normal?" by Dr. Datis Kharrazian.
Pura Vida!
Alica Ryan, NTP
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