Why Salt Isn't Bad For You
Salt is an imperative part of the human diet and until electrical refrigeration was developed, we preserved pretty much everything in it. However, much of what you’ve been told by mainstream media suggests that salt should be avoided at all costs. This is certainly true of commercial salt that has been boiled at high temperatures, bleached, had stabilisers added to it and – in some cases – had certain chemicals added to it to prevent the salt from absorbing water while it’s in storage.
When all is said and done, basic free-flowing table salt has had over 95% of its original minerals extracted. You’re left with a pretty toxic, processed and unusable substance, so avoid it altogether.
However, as mentioned, salt is necessary since the human body requires a constant concentration in the blood and it is critical for digestion and brain development. Amongst other things, it is also a natural anti-histamine, it helps with extracting excess acidity from inside the cells and it is vital for preserving seratonin (your ‘happy hormone’) and melatonin (your sleep hormone) levels in the brain.There are two oceans in the body. One inside the cells, held there by potassium (vegetables and fruits are high in potassium, which is why it’s so important that your diet contains these foods), and one outside of the cells, held there by salt. Every molecule of salt ‘picks up’ a certain number of water molecules and so it is the only way to get water into the body to hydrate it effectively.
Osmotic pressure exists between these two oceans and so it is vital that a good balance between potassium and salt is found. If the pressure is disturbed – let’s say by the fact that you don’t take enough salt in your diet – the salty ocean will diminish and cause a ‘leaching’ of water from within the cells (simply put). When cells are chronically dehydrated, they become shrivelled and prune-like and serious irreparable damage can occur.
When the brain is just 1% dehydrated, it calls for emergency re-hydration processes to begin, which result in ‘stealing from Peter to pay Paul’ … water is stolen from ‘non-essential’ processes to ensure that vital areas are adequately supplied.
In order to re-hydrate yourself, use the following formulas:
0.033 X body weight in kg = amount of water in litres daily
Multiply this by 2.2 to get your ideal daily salt intake
For example, 60kg X 0.033 = 1.98L water X 2.2 = 4.35ml salt
Look for unrefined salt, preferably that which has been washed in cool water, as this preserves the mineral content. We recommend Universal Vision Himalayan Crystal Salt (found at all good health shops).
If you experience water retention, you can reduce the retention by taking water and salt (though we recommend that you do this slowly), as the water your body is retaining is ‘emergency’ water held in the tissues. Once your body registers re-hydration, it should release it.
On a final note, if you experience high blood pressure, be sure to take good quality salt and water in your diet, since high blood pressure can be caused by an increase in cellular and vascular pressure, due to dehydration. The logic is easy to understand: decreased water = higher pressure building within the body to perform the same functions with less water = high blood pressure.
With regard to this last point, Dr Hilda Landman, a general practitioner based in Stellenbosch agrees and adds: “Natural sea and rock salt contains all the natural minerals and trace elements identical to those found in the human body. It promotes a good water balance and does not contribute to high blood pressure like typical table salt. It is very difficult for the body to absorb too much natural salt since there are powerful and effective feedback loops that regulate this process. In conjunction with water it is very beneficial for the regulation of healthy blood pressure.”