The ongoing debate about the benefits of a low-salt diet has confused the public. Medical journalists from ABC-TV’s 20/20 to America’s pre-eminent scientific journal, Science, published by the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science, have investigated the source of this confusion. The report in Science won author Gary Taubes a top prize from the National Association of Science Writers. Taubes concluded:
“After interviews with some 80 researchers, clinicians, and administrators around the world, it is safe to say that if ever there were a controversy over the interpretation of scientific data, this is it….After decades of intensive research, the apparent benefits of avoiding salt have only diminished. This suggests either that the true benefit has now been revealed and is indeed small or that it is non-existent and researchers believing they have detected such benefits have been deluded by the confounding of other variables.”
The controversy also continues over the best source of salt. Is refined store bought salt just fine? Is it really necessary to use the less convenient and more expensive ‘sun-dried ‘salt?
Until this controversy is resolved, what do we do? Generally, the more natural your diet, the greater the health benefits. So personally, using this principle, I would suggest using unadulterated sea salt. It is well known to be a source of many other trace elements.
Processing and adulteration is the norm in civilized societies. So is illness.
One online source of various sea salts is calledSalt Works.
A study was conducted to determine the possible differences in health benefits between treatments with FIJI Water versus tap water from the city of Graz, Austria, and FIJI Water with a teaspoon of Original Himalayan Crystal Salt Sole solution, versus tap water from the city of Graz, Austria with a teaspoon of common, industrial table salt solution. The research scientists and doctors were astonished at their findings.
Increased Salt Consumption can help with the following
Hypotension
Consuming a diet higher in salt will sometimes help restore a more normal blood pressure. One of the most common – and treatable – problems identified in those with NMH (Neurally Mediated Hypotension) is a low dietary salt (sodium) intake. Salt helps us retain fluid in the blood vessels, and helps maintain a healthy blood pressure. Salt has received bad press in the last couple of decades because a high salt diet in some individuals with high or high-normal blood pressure can contribute to further elevations, and thereby to heart disease and stroke. This has led to general health recommendations to cut down on salt. As we are finding, this general recommendation isn’t right for all people.
Consume extra salt and drink more fluids during hot weather and while sick with a viral illness, such as a cold or the flu.
Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency
Sea salt should be included in the diet, unless contraindicated for other reasons, as it benefits adrenal gland function. When seasoning foods, use as much salt as tastes good to you.
Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Many CFIDS/FMS patients may be low in vasopressin. The simplest treatment for a low vasopressin level is to use plenty of salt and drink plenty of water.
Fainting / Syncope
Natural treatments are limited, but could include increased fluid and salt intake to improve low blood pressure.
Key
| May do some good |
| Likely to help |
| Highly recommended |
| Reasonably likely to cause problems |
Glossary
Trace Element
Essential mineral that is essential to nutrition. Nutritionists prefer to call minerals either minerals or trace minerals depending on the amount needed by the body, while analytical chemists prefer to call minerals, trace elements.
Teaspoon
(tsp) Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).