We are told to cut down on salt, yet the latest research proves that low sodium diets aggravate insulin resistance and increase systemic acidity.

The Adverse Effects of Cutting Down on Salt

We are constantly told to cut down on salt. Sure, too much of anything is bad. But salt? A critical level of salt maintains the health of every cell in the body as well as the surrounding fluids that can only interact within a saline solution. We know that patients with heart or kidney problems must go easy on salt but an increasing number of people are now becoming ill because of severe salt deficiencies.

We need salt, and both natural and "processed" salt will do. All of the salt we have available is at least 98% sodium chloride - the same chemical they use in life saving saline drips! There is no such thing as a man made white poison called table salt. Without it you get very ill!

HIMALAYAN SALT, KALAHARI SALT, SEA SALT and other natural forms have additional minerals and are in fact, a lot more benefical and they taste better. I have a Himalayan salt lamp and it gives off healing negative ions and its warm pink glow fills me with joy.

Insulin Resistance Increases

According to double blind random placebo controlled studies the effects of a sodium restricted diet in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes resulted in an increase in insulin resistance. Even after a few days, the effects of not eating salt manifested as an average increase of 12%in terms of insulin resistance.

Even in normal people used for one study, the results showed an aggravation of both low salt diet increases insulin resistance, regardless of their blood pressure levels.

Hormonal Disruption

Hormones are also adversely affected when doctors tell you to throw away the salt cellar. According to more recent studies we are now informed that the hormones renin, aldosterone, adrenalin and noradrenaline depend on a critical amount of sodium for optimal balance and activity. Due to a lack of sodium, levels of the stress related hormones noradrenaline and adrenaline creep up. This is telling us that something is going wrong.

It is usually only our own reaction to danger or a challenge that can excite these pro-active messengers. Who was to know that shutting down on salt was going to be so drastic?

It gets worse. the anti-diuretic hormone slams on the brakes to conserve the dwindling supply of sodium. This hormone opposes urination so the water remains in the tissues and especially within cells. The result is odema, known as water logging with the characteristic swollen ankles and all round puffiness.

What a bonus!

Low Sodium Raises Blood Pressure!

To the degree that sodium is restricted, the renin aldosterone system is challenged. Unusually high amounts aldosterone are released. This hormone regulates the imbalance between sodium and potassium. The compensatory re-absorption of sodium by the kidneys is not enough to swing back the balance, so more ane more potassium and magnesium are excreted.

As anybody knows, a loss of these electrolytes makes the blood acidic. Oxidative stress sets in. Muscles cramp up, fingers go numb and up goes the blood pressure!

Reduced Sodium Can Increase Mortality

A low sodium diet harms patients with diabetes type 1 and 2 but it is also bad news for patients with heart insufficiency. In all three patient groups reduced sodium intake is associated with increased mortality. Yet still, we hear doctors and dietitians condemning salt. The white poison, they call it, not knowing just how important it is for the well-being of their patients.

Sodium Chloride or plain old table salt is often sneered at by us" health fundi's" who insist that other minerals (and contaminants) should be provided by unrefined salts dug from the earth or gathered from the coastline. For now, let us concentrate on sodium and chloride. As with maintaining a swimming pool, hydrochloric acid is derived from salt, also known as sodium chloride. Wherever it comes from, we need it to maintain our body chemistry in order to survive.

Salt is Required for Stomach Acid

Salt provides the chloride for stomach acid, also known as hydrochloric acid. A deficiency of sodium chloride or the salt substitute called potassium chloride will cause the intensity of stomach acid to weaken. This will result in heartburn, more infections, stomach ulcers, poor nutrient uptake, weaker bones, fingernails and thinning of the hair.

Although viewed as separate ailments these are tell tale symptoms that you are too mean with the salt. Iodated salt is a better choice because iodine is also required for an efficient antimicrobial effect to protect us from food derived sources of salmonella, e-coli and helicobacter pylori.

We Need More Salt to Make Sodium Bicarbonate

Salt is also a donor for sodium bicarbonate. We make it inside! A combination of water, carbon dioxide and salt(5) produces sodium bicarbonate as well as stomach acid. Once down the gullet, this amazing conversion of salt occurs.

The sodium bicarbonate is immediately taken up by the bloodstream where it is used by the pancreas as an alkaline buffer for food that has been treated by stomach acid. We also require sodium bicarbonate as an alkaline buffer for the blood, along with alkalizing minerals like calcium and magnesium. Salt is truly a vital component of the digestive tract.

Beating Down Lactic Acid With Salt?

Runners and people who are familiar with intense workouts often experience pain, cramping and a buildup of lactic acid. This is caused by a loss of potassium and magnesium, as we now know, because of a low sodium diet. Furthermore, when we sweat a lot, more of these electrolytes, along with additional sodium is lost. Drinking too much water at one time can also cause sodium levels to plummet.

Although it is common practice with runners is to take baking soda or bicarbonate of soda before training it may cause indigestion in the long run. If taken on an empty stomach, the alkalizing effect weakens the intensity of stomach acid. Antacids actually exacerbate heartburn!

So rather ingest the raw materials - enjoy a good pinch of salt! It is always better to use natural forms of salt as they are richer in minerals and trace elements. They have a better taste. Natural salt can serve as an antidote to bromide poisoning. People who crave salt may need to take note of what the body is telling them.

When your adrenals are badly stressed, there is an increased loss of sodium. Tend to the ailing adrenals as well as low aldosterone levels that reject your sodium and hoard potassium instead. A tasty cure for this type of salt craving is Dutch salted liquorice.

Saline Drip

There is a very good reason to plug into a saline drip on the way to hospital in an ambulance. For many of us, we are simply a pinch of salt away from preventing many unpleasant, if not life threatening ailments. Seven tenths of our planet relies on salty water for its existence and so do we. Our cells are bathed in a saline solution that needs to be replenished from time to time.

So pass the salt, please!

Homeopathic remedies and tissue salts

Read up about natural remedies based on salt to help balance salt disturbances that manifest as: headaches, constipation, hay fever, heat fatigue and other ailments.

References
Oxford Academic
Nature
Think Steroids
Kaben Company
Buzzle

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