The Necessity of SALT

Just about a year ago, I wrote "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe...Which Salts to Keep? Which ones to throw?" It's an informative article about the differences between sea salt and iodized salt.


But a year later, I find myself wanting to give you more because I now know more, and what is being promoted as truth in the mainstream world, is unfortunately, not. (Not much surprise there, anymore.)


So here's the thing: We are being told by the FDA and USDA that we need to reduce our salt intake, across the board, to 1/2 teaspoon/day.


But there's a real problem with that. I am going to give you the short and skinny of it and then include links so you can delve in deeply, (I hope you do), yourself.


Salt is necessary.


We need it for blood and sweat as well as our central nervous and digestive systems. One JAMA study revealed that people who ate low amounts of sodium didn't live as long as those in another group who ate average amounts of sodium. Proper salt intake can increase cognitive ability in pregnant women as well as children. It can also stabilize cognitive abilities in the elderly as well as decrease this group's incidence of broken hips/falls.


Our bodies need 3 times more salt than the FDA wants us to have.


Without the proper amount of salt:
According to the Salt Institute, the full report of the JAMA study linked to above shows a zone where stroke, heart attack and death are high. That zone's mid-section is filled by Americans consuming salt according to the FDA's lowered recommendation of 1/2 teaspoon/day.


Insulin resistance brings about Type 2 diabetes. In a Harvard study, low-salt diets were linked to "an immediate onset of insulin resistance." Premature death, according to another study, is more likely to come to Type 2 diabetics on a low-salt diet.In regard to supposed links between blood pressure, CVD (cardiovascular disease) and salt intake, this JAMA study conclusion flies straight in the face of the information spoon-fed to the general populace of America:
"Conclusions: In this population-based cohort, systolic blood pressure, but not diastolic pressure, changes over time aligned with change in sodium excretion, but this association did not translate into a higher risk of hypertension or CVD complications. Lower sodium excretion was associated with higher CVD mortality."


The Weston A. Price Foundation gives this full report on how they contacted and warned the FDA not to lower salt recommendations. Read more about it here: FDA Warned of Dangers of Salt Restriction . This page also gives more links and information.


While I am not one to say we need to question absolutely everything all the time, it increasingly seems we must question more, we MUST question more, about our food, what's in it, and what those in power to make nationwide recommendations have to say about it.


In the meantime, it would appear we have greater need today than ever before in asking the Lord's blessing over our food before partaking.


Please see my article, "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Moe...Which Salts to Keep, Which Ones to Go?", (link in first paragraph), for information on how to choose between salts. In a nutshell, iodized salts are highly processed and while we do need iodine, it was added at a time in American history when we had less access to foods containing iodine naturally. Processed salt is lacking in its natural mineral content as the procedure eliminates its 80+ trace minerals...trace minerals that are needed by our bodies! Sea salt is naturally processed via evaporation, retaining it's minerals. Please read the article for further information and to learn where to find natural iodine for your everyday diet.