Today I want to take a focused look on Salt. I am going to expose the dangerous reality of what regular table salt is, and also look at the often unknown healing benefits of real salt! Salt is a God-food. A food that was created for us to use and for us to enjoy.
Salt is an essential nutrient for our bodies. In our world we have gotten so used to hearing salt in a very bad light, and that it is an unhealthy food. Salt is necessary for every single cell in our bodies every second of the day. Salt was essential to food preparation and preservation before refrigeration. People would have had no method to prevent their foods from spoiling. It is also one of the main reasons that our foods tastes so good.
The Dangers of Table Salt
Regular table salt is Sodium Chloride manufactured in a factory. It contains sodium-chloride, anti-caking agents and often chemical iodine if it is added into the salt. There are only 4 ingredients in this salt (more if there are other additives) and none of them are natural to your body. The anti-caking agent is often aluminum hydroxide which is extremely toxic to the brain. All of the chemical burden of this salt could be very damaging to your health. This type of salt can and does have the potential to raise your blood pressure, draw water out of your cells and overburden your detox systems, just to name a few.
The thought behind this chemical creation is to produce chemicals to mimic the taste of real, naturally occurring salt. It’s a trick for our taste buds. There is no life in these chemicals and it requires a lot of energy in your body just to break it down and metabolize it. I heard once that you should never eat salt that is pure white. Real salt has color, wether it be grey or red or speckled. That is naturally occurring and works with your body to nourish each cell.
Health benefits of Real Himalayan Salt
This is real salt. This is the type of salt that our bodies need. Each one of our cells, to live, need a delicate balance of salt. I always recommend an unrefined salt to use and my favorite is Himalayan salt because it is naturally occurring in our environment and contains 84 elements that are found in our bodies.
Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include:
- Regulating the water content throughout your body.
- Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
- Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
- Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
- Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
- Supporting respiratory health.
- Promoting sinus health.
- Prevention of muscle cramps.
- Promoting bone strength.
- Regulating your sleep — it naturally promotes sleep.
- Supporting your libido.
- Promoting vascular health.
- In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure. It does not raise blood pressure.
Have you tasted real Himalayan salt? It tastes amazing, it is the perfect blend of a sweet-salty flavor and is completely natural. Use this information as freedom to salt your food to the perfect taste and truly enjoy it. I have even been known to carry a little bit of healthy salt in my purse for when I’m out to eat. Then I don’t have to use what’s sitting on the table at a restaurant when my food needs salt. I had a question regarding Sea Salt and if that was a good alternative instead of table salt and in place of Himalayan salt. I wish my answer could be that it didn’t matter. But it does! Our oceans (sea’s) aren’t as clean as they once were. They are being polluted and have become very toxic, for example with heavy metals and dioxins. It’s not nearly as bad as table salt, but it’s not the most optimal option.
Remember, this sodium chloride fake salt is in every processed food that is on the shelves of your grocery store. Don’t think that you can totally get away from it just because you don’t salt your food with it. It’s used in everyday processing methods. This is just one more reason to stay away from processed foods. Anything you can make in your own kitchen is going to be the best, you have complete control of the ingredients. The other option is choosing from a company who has high standards and is very conscious about their ingredients and who will never compromise on them. They would have some products that contain real salt, and they are usually marked on the label or ingredients are found on their websites. I find it very important to know where your food comes from. Whether farmer or company.
Do you use real salt? Have you used Himalayan salt before?
Resources
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/20/salt-myth.aspx
http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2009/08/salt_kinds_and_conversions.php
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/dangers-of-salt/
http://www.atthemeadow.com/shop/Resources/Guide-to-Curing-with-Salt
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Laura says
I LOVE Real Salt! I actually use the “Real Salt” brand from the salt lake in Nevada. Tasty! My boss is a health nut of a sort and got some for all of the employees.
I LOVE your blog!!! So helpful.
Dr. Meghan says
Thanks for finding and following my blog Laura! Real salt is a great gift, I think one that a true health nut would give! Have you noticed the big difference between real salt and the fake table salt? I can totally taste it now I’ve switched over!
toni says
Where do u buy this salt? In a health food store ?
Dr. Meghan says
Yes, a health food store has it or any gourmet cheese shop should too. I will order mine online sometimes too, and that may be easier. Himalayan salt has a pink color to it!
Janet says
I buy pink salt at Whole Foods, but I have to drive a good ways to get to one. I want to order some online for my sister, through Amazon if possible. When reading the reviews it is very confusing as to which I should order. Do you recommend any certain brands to be a reliable salt source?
Thank you.