A salty myth to debunk

Let me debunk another unfounded myth: salt.

As you know, I love debunking misleading myths about healthy fats, cholesterol, margarine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.

Today: salt. Research shows that unrefined natural salt is a nutritional treasure, and low-salt diets are actually quite harmful.

Salt's Historical Importance

Salt was incredibly important to human survival. Ancient Romans traded salt to pay people — this is where the word "salary" comes from. One ounce of gold and one ounce of salt were traded at the same price by ancient explorers. They knew how precious this compound was.

The Essential Functions of Salt

• -Major component of blood plasma, lymphatic fluids, extracellular fluids, and amniotic fluid
• -Crucial to carry nutrients in and out of all cells
• -Helps manage and regulate blood pressure
• -Helps increase glial cells in the brain responsible for creative thinking and long-term planning
• -Essential for good brain-muscle communication, allowing you to move on demand (via sodium/potassium ion exchange)

Common Salt vs. Natural Unrefined Salt

More than 80% of salt consumed in the US comes from processed foods — and this is bad news.

Common white table salt (~98% sodium chloride) contains:

• -Moisture absorbents
• -Added iodine
• -Anti-caking agents
• -Ferrocyanide
• -Aluminosilicate
• -Toxic fluoride

Natural unrefined salt (~84% sodium chloride) contains:

• -Silicon, phosphorus, vanadium, sulfate
• -Magnesium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, strontium
• -Far richer in nutrients

Pink Himalayan Salt

Formed by marine fossils over 250 million years ago across Asia (China, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, India). Protected by a lava layer for millions of years, it's free from heavy metals and industrial toxins. Many experts claim it's the purest salt on Earth.

Hand-mined, hand-washed, minimally processed. Its pink/red/white color comes from its rich mineral content (84+ minerals) and iron. This is a truly rich health source.

Where the "Bad Salt" Myth Came From

A 1990s study linked salt consumption with hypertension, comparing low-salt diets to "average" diets (usually high in processed foods). What was overlooked: the low-salt diet was LOW IN SUGAR, particularly fructose.

The decrease in hypertension was from reduced sugar, not reduced salt. But the conclusion blamed salt, causing decades of misinformation.

We now know: one of the major causes of hypertension is EXCESS SUGAR, particularly fructose. Salt was wrongly blamed.

Low Sodium Can Be Dangerous

Too-low sodium causes hyponatremia — a potentially serious condition. Sodium is crucial for many biological processes. When blood sodium gets too low, body fluids increase and all cells swell.

Causes: medication, dehydration, excessive water intake during sports, liver/kidney/thyroid diseases.

Women (especially pre/post-menopausal) are at higher risk. A study showed that bone-fractured elderly people had MORE THAN DOUBLE the incidence of hyponatremia compared to non-fractured patients. This proves salt is essential for elderly bone health.

Health Benefits of Natural Unrefined Salt

• -Improves nutrient absorption through intestinal walls
• -Decreases risk of kidney stones and gallbladder stones
• -Stimulates circulation and decreases blood pressure
• -Improves overall bone health
• -Regulates pH balance, preventing disease and normalizing energy
• -Relieves muscle cramps
• -Balances sleep, blood sugar, and heart health
• -Supports adrenal glands, balancing vital hormone levels

The Potassium/Sodium Ratio

This ratio is what matters most. It's essential for preventing:

• -Heart disease
• -Osteoporosis
• -Cataracts
• -Ulcers and stomach cancer
• -Rheumatoid arthritis

Ancient ancestors had a ratio of 16:1 (16 potassium to 1 sodium). Today's average modern diet is literally upside down — mainly due to processed foods and processed salt.

The secret: eat a diet based on whole, unprocessed foods, organic to ensure optimal nutrient content.

Potassium-Rich Foods:

• -Baked potato (watch starch content)
• -Lima beans
• -Winter squash
• -Cooked spinach
• -Broccoli, Brussels sprouts
• -Avocado
• -Asparagus

Conclusion

TRUST NATURE. Natural unrefined salt is GOOD and ESSENTIAL for your health. Pink Himalayan salt is the purest and most mineral-dense available.

Don't underestimate how much your body needs it, especially if chronically fatigued and feeling weak.

Adding a pinch of pink salt to your daily water is a great way to increase mineral content.

To keep your potassium/sodium ratio balanced, avoid processed foods and choose nutrient-dense organic wholefoods. Vary your foods to get maximum benefits.

In Health and Happiness,

Stephanie