As with most foods, whether or not salt is healthy depends on the kind of salt we are talking about. The right salt is healthy - after all, saline solution is what is used to hydrate us in the hospital. Our bodies rely on salt for survival. Salt or sodium chloride, is another one of those very controversial issues with most people coming down on the side that it is not healthy and should not be consumed. I think it is important to remember that salt is actually useful to our bodies in many ways. It helps maintain electrolyte balance, helps with the absorption of food in the intestines, acts as an antihistamine, acts to clear the lungs of mucus, helps lower the acidity of the cells, and helps regulate blood sugar among other things. As with everything with respect to food, it is the quality of the salt that determines whether or not it is healthy. The refined white table salt that is typically seen everywhere really does cause health problems, and should be avoided at all costs. First of all, in the refining and bleaching process all of the healthful minerals that were in the salt have been removed to leave only sodium chloride. Anti-caking agents are usually added which are frequently aluminum-based, adding to heavy-metal toxic load. Aluminum has been associated with Alzheimer's disease. Sodium silico-aluminate and sodium acetate are also frequently added, and have been associated with kidney issues. The sodium acetate may increase blood pressure and water retention. Sodium chloride is everywhere in packaged foods, so once again, try to eat fresh so you can control the amount of refined salt you are consuming. Look for sea salt that has simply been air dried. There is far more magnesium and calcium in this salt, in addition to many other trace minerals, and the amount of sodium and chloride is much less than in refined table salt. This salt retains the mother liquor and therefore will be moist, and is usually gray or pink in colour. Don't put this moist salt in a grinder with metal parts, as the grinder will rust! Instead, keep in a glass jar and use a small spoon, or find a ceramic grinder. Be suspicious of salt that is completely dry. Celtic, French or New Zealand unprocessed sea salt are the best sources. Only add salt after tasting your food. Adding a pinch of organic, unprocessed sea salt to each liter of water you drink can provide minerals in a form that is easy to assimilate, and can help maintain electrolyte levels, which may be helpful if you find that you frequently become dizzy upon rising. Only do this if you are eating a diet fairly free of packaged foods, however. You can order quality sea salt here or here, if you can't find it in your health-food store. Please do keep the comments coming on my blog. If you want to share this article, scroll to the very bottom and click the "share" icon to post on Facebook, Twitter etc. If you want to subscribe or search for other posts by title or by topic, go to www.wellnesstips.ca. Related tips: Remineralize your water Chek, Paul; How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! Chek Institute, San Diego, CA, 2004. Chek, Paul; You Are What You Eat CD Series Chek Institute, San Diego, CA, 2002. De Langres, Jacques; Seasalt's Hidden Powers Happiness Press, 1994. Copyright 2006/2013 Vreni Gurd To subscribe go to www.wellnesstips.ca |
WHY THE FOOD GUIDES ARE WRONG! Learn to eat healthier by finding out how obvious good nutrition really is, and in two hours you will understand what to do. You can implement the changes you need to make at your own pace. No magic pills, no fad diets, no calorie-counting. Just eat properly and as you become healthier the weight will slowly come off. Learn some easy rules that you can apply right away to know whether or not a particular food is healthy to eat. Many resources are provided to help you succeed. Here are what people are saying that took the course:
" Hi Vreni, I just completed your course on
Why the
food guides are wrong…..it was fabulous! Although I have heard
this information many times before and have even conducted
mini-workshops on it with my clients, you really put the information
together beautifully, making it even easier to explain to people. "Hi, Vreni. I loved the course and would not change it one bit. I found it very easy to follow and I learned a lot!!! I found the price just right. You covered a lot in a short time." Neyleen K. "I was going to email you to tell you how much I enjoyed the course, but you're just too fast for me. You've done a great job of making the information clear yet concise and easy to follow. And I'm so glad you're telling people one size does not fit all. I like that you've included the rules as a separate document." Rebecca V. "Why the Food Guides are Wrong: How to find health and lose weight"
is available for the price of $49 USD, after you create an account.
You have up to a year from the date purchased to review the course material.
|