Salt Dangers

Through the years salt dangers have been put forth as fact without studies to back it up and with no admission that salt can be healthy for many. For example, a sea salt benefit includes minerals like sodium chloride which is essential for animal life in small quantities. Still, politicians in New York City want to meddle, as only officials can do, to limit how much salt should be used in food products. Salt actually holds a value in our health if used in moderation. Found in our blood, salt is a vital part of making the body function properly. One of the primary electrolytes needed by the body (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) it is needed for optimal performance.

As we wrote in our moderation management article humankind has a tendency to over-consume. If ingested in moderation it will actually help with healing through detoxification and can be considered healthy salt. Refined salt (used in table salt) is made up of about 97% sodium chloride with some additives. The additional ingredients are used to eliminate caking which enables it to flow freely.

The problem overall is with the processed foods that we eat. If we were left to our own devices and used the amount of salt that we desire without the additional quantities forced on us then there would be no problem. Salt, the suggested cause of high blood pressure, may be attributable to thousands of deaths due to premature strokes, heart attacks and heart failure if consumed in abundance. On the other hand, salt dangers are real if taken in too little quantity and can result in dizziness and muscle cramps. More seriously, lack of salt can lead to neurological problems or even death.

Food grade salt accounts for only a small part of salt production. Most of the salt in the world is sold for non-culinary purposes. Industrial use of salt includes the manufacture of paper, and is formulated into the production of some soap. There are still states in the US which apply it to clear their roads of harmful ice in the winter months.

Like anything else, the solution to overindulgence lies in physical exercise. The first study of the kind was done at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, MD. believes that exercise will help to keep our blood pressure within the range necessary for a healthy life. While not fully known yet how this works those who participated in moderate exercise were more than a third less likely to suffer from high blood pressure.

In summary, healthy salt, especially the kind found in sea salt will help us in many ways. The only salt dangers are the ones in the heads of our feeble minded leaders.