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Table salt begins its journey as a naturally occurring inorganic mineral. It is typically mined from salt mines and its properties have been refined and stripped of virtually all essential and trace minerals until only the sodium chloride molecule remains. By weight, sodium chloride is 40% sodium and 60% chloride. It is this tightly bound molecule of “sodium-chloride” that naturopaths believe to be at the root of many health problems. The holistically-based, allergy informative Web Site, Foodsmatter.com, describes the effects of refined table salt on the body: “The resulting sodium chloride is an isolated and unwholesome substance, which has nothing in common with pure salt. It seeks out [and precipitates] potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as other minerals and trace elements in the body, thus changing the body’s biochemical structure and causing an imbalance in pH levels...leading to the formation of excess acidity and fluid in body tissues [resulting] in allergic or intolerant reactions. Iodine is added to table salt on the basis that it will be of benefit to the thyroid. Iodine, however, can also catalyze and accelerate the production of [cancer-causing] nitrates in the stomach and is related to intolerant reactions.”
Both sodium and chloride are essential to our health. Along with sodium, chloride is paramount to good health as it helps to preserve a neutral acid-alkaline balance. It also aids potassium absorption, is crucial in maintaining proper stomach acid levels for digestion, and assists the body in removing carbon dioxide from tissues. Iodine is a thyroid-enriching nutrient that occurs naturally in many sea vegetables and other foods. It is only found in small traces in sea salt but was added to table salt in the 1920s to help counteract thyroid problems related to iodine deficiencies. Many don’t approve of the added iodine, but the above claim that it “accelerates the production of nitrates” has yet to be determined.
Table salt is highly refined with approximately 80% of its minerals removed during the refining process. The Web Site, Healthonabudget.com, lists the chemicals added to table salt: Chemical bleach, sodium bicarbonate, fluoride, MSG (monosodium glutamate), anti-caking agents, potassium iodide, solo-co-aluminate and other aluminum derivatives. Personally, I would steer clear of any food item that contains added aluminum in any form.
The health conscious Web Site, Healthonabudget.com and indeed, many holistic practitioners, believe that it is these additives that end up causing health-related problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, edema, muscle cramps and spasms, anxiety and depression, weight gain, and vertigo problems, as well as causing a salt addiction where the body is tricked into craving more.
Nutrition labels are based on a maximum intake of 2,400 mg. sodium per day for the average adult, and 1,200 mg. a day for those 65 years and older. However, experts are now advising the average adult to aim for about 1,500 mg. per day, instead of the 2,400 mg., and in fact feel that 500 mg. per day is probably an even healthier target.
So where does most of the refined sodium in our diets come from? We may think it comes from our salt shaker as we add salt to our food, but in essence, added salt at the dinner table makes up only about 11% of our daily sodium intake. A incredulous 77% of added refined salt comes from salt and sodium containing food additives present in processed and packaged food. The remaining 12% comes from naturally occurring sodium found in food. What does this say? It indicates that if we cut way down, or even completely cut out processed and convenience food, it will make a huge difference in our overall salt intake, resulting in a positive effect on our health. It’s important to check all package nutrition labels. You’ll be dumfounded at the amounts of added sodium in even the simplest of purchases, like a loaf of bread.
Both sodium and chloride are essential to our health. Along with sodium, chloride is paramount to good health as it helps to preserve a neutral acid-alkaline balance. It also aids potassium absorption, is crucial in maintaining proper stomach acid levels for digestion, and assists the body in removing carbon dioxide from tissues. Iodine is a thyroid-enriching nutrient that occurs naturally in many sea vegetables and other foods. It is only found in small traces in sea salt but was added to table salt in the 1920s to help counteract thyroid problems related to iodine deficiencies. Many don’t approve of the added iodine, but the above claim that it “accelerates the production of nitrates” has yet to be determined.
Table salt is highly refined with approximately 80% of its minerals removed during the refining process. The Web Site, Healthonabudget.com, lists the chemicals added to table salt: Chemical bleach, sodium bicarbonate, fluoride, MSG (monosodium glutamate), anti-caking agents, potassium iodide, solo-co-aluminate and other aluminum derivatives. Personally, I would steer clear of any food item that contains added aluminum in any form.
The health conscious Web Site, Healthonabudget.com and indeed, many holistic practitioners, believe that it is these additives that end up causing health-related problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, edema, muscle cramps and spasms, anxiety and depression, weight gain, and vertigo problems, as well as causing a salt addiction where the body is tricked into craving more.
Nutrition labels are based on a maximum intake of 2,400 mg. sodium per day for the average adult, and 1,200 mg. a day for those 65 years and older. However, experts are now advising the average adult to aim for about 1,500 mg. per day, instead of the 2,400 mg., and in fact feel that 500 mg. per day is probably an even healthier target.
So where does most of the refined sodium in our diets come from? We may think it comes from our salt shaker as we add salt to our food, but in essence, added salt at the dinner table makes up only about 11% of our daily sodium intake. A incredulous 77% of added refined salt comes from salt and sodium containing food additives present in processed and packaged food. The remaining 12% comes from naturally occurring sodium found in food. What does this say? It indicates that if we cut way down, or even completely cut out processed and convenience food, it will make a huge difference in our overall salt intake, resulting in a positive effect on our health. It’s important to check all package nutrition labels. You’ll be dumfounded at the amounts of added sodium in even the simplest of purchases, like a loaf of bread.
