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SALT- Can it be good for you after all?????

SALT- Can it be good for you after all?????

For years there has been information released that says that decreasing your salt intake will decrease your blood pressure and risk for heart disease. In July 2011, Scientific America stated, “It's Time to End the War on Salt.” They continued, “For every study that suggests that salt is unhealthy, another does not.”

We all know that some salt is vital for health. In ayurvedic medicine, it is one of the six major tastes. The Weston A. Price Foundation says, “There's a reason we have a salt taste in our mouths and a reason that food tastes better with salt. The desire for salt is not some cruel joke imposed by a capricious god, but acts to ensure that we eat our food with salt.”

Remember, Science does not always come up with the answer. Many times it raises more questions. And here is one: The problem with salt may actually be in the sodium/potassium ratio. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, found no link between the intake alone and risk of health disease, but when they looked at the ratio of sodium to potassium intake, they found a strong effect. People with the highest sodium and lowest potassium has nearly a 50% higher risk of death from heart disease.

Now, again, we have tastes for a reason, and mother nature made things the way they are for a reason. The key to all things in life is balance. Making sure you get a good intake of both good sodium and potassium sources will help to decrease the risk for heart disease.

Did you pick up on the “good” sodium part???....Yes, there is good salt and bad salt. Regular old table salt- bad salt. What you need to find is mineral salt. One that comes from a natural source. In the stores you can find, “Real Salt” or “Himalayan Crystal Salt”. These have a red tone to them, because they have minerals that are found naturally with the salt. These salts will have little effect on your blood pressure and will give you many minerals that your body needs naturally.

Table Salt - Himalayan Crystal Salt-

Many of the good salt sources can be found in the grocery store. Now, some good sources of potassium are actually very easy to find. Many of you are thinking- yeah, bananas. Surprise again, they aren't even on my list. Artichokes, kidney beans, lima beans, beet greens, broccoli, carrots, spinach, lentils, and potatoes all have high amounts of potassium. Remember, mother nature always does her job.

The biggest advice I can give to you is to avoid high sodium processed foods. Try to eat as many natural foods as you can- the stuff that comes from the earth.

Remember we are always here to help you on your journey to health. And that simply just focusing on this aspect will not bring you health. It is a delicate balance of diet, exercise and elimination of waste- physically and emotionally.

Yours in Health,

Erika Anderholm, CPT, CA & Dr. Bacon, D.C.

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