Salt and Your Body

A vital mineral for the body is sodium chloride, aka SALT.

The body needs salt to function properly, balance electrolytes and fluids and transport nutrients to the cells. It helps to regulate blood pressure and gastric acid secretion. It also keeps nerves and muscles operating smoothly. Salt keeps calcium and magnesium in solution. It's important for the mucous membranes, skin, the production of Hydrochloric Acid, and to stabilize a normal metabolism. Bonus, sodium keeps us youthful. 

Where to find sodium:  Almost all foods contain sodium – Celery, carrots, raw leafy greens, beets, lemons, meat, strawberries.

Herbs: dulse, Irish moss, kelp, rose hips, licorice

An average adult’s body contains 250 g of sodium that is distributed throughout the body and is mostly found in body fluids like tears, blood, and urine.

Signs and Symptoms that we have a sodium deficiency are:

• Nervousness • Low Blood Sugar • Muscle degeneration, weakness • Joint issues • Digestive issues, flatulence • Abdominal cramps • Dehydration • Confusion • Depression • Dizziness • Fatigue, lethargy • Hallucinations • Headache • Heart palpitations, low blood pressure • Memory impairment • Poor coordination • Nausea and vomiting • Recurrent infections • Seizures

However too much sodium can be harmful. An Adult only needs about 500mg of salt a day. 2000 or more is considered a high intake. A high intake of salt can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other issues.

Signs and symptoms that we have an excess of sodium: Edema • High blood pressure • Potassium deficiency • Liver and kidney disorders

The body regulates its salt and water balance by releasing excess sodium in urine, or actively retaining or releasing water in urine. It's important to drink plenty of water so the body can balance the salt! 

Sodium is often referred to as the Element of Youth due to its ability to encourage a supple, agile body and flexible joints.

With the abundance of white table salt in American diets, many individuals have an overabundance of salt in their bodies. When arthritis and joint problems arise, medical professionals frequently advise reducing salt intake. Instead of suggesting a low-salt diet, it is better to cut out white salts and products containing white salt, and opt for foods rich in live sodium.

It is important that we eat the right salt. There are 3 kinds that I recommend: Celtic Sea Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Redmond Real Salt.

Celtic Sea Salt

Celtic Sea Salt is from the ocean and harvested by hand in France. They leave it unprocessed so it retains it’s vital minerals. The only down fall to this is that, unlike ancient oceans, today’s ocean is exposed to lead, plastic, toxins, mercury and other man-made chemicals. Celtic salt is still a great and healthy option though. It’s a wet salt bursting with flavor and texture with a grey hue. 

Himalayan Pink

The Himalayan salt is harvested from ancient deposits, in Pakistan, that were not exposed to modern toxins. This salt has a lot of minerals and an earthy flavor with a pink hint of color.

Redmond Real Salt

Redmond Real Salt is harvested in ancient water in Utah. It’s all natural and unrefined with a little bit of a sweeter flavor with red and pink specks in the white granules. 

As the salty air and water girl that I am, stay salty for me! -Sara 

Matthew 5:13-16

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.