Demystifying Salt - and Why it's Our Friend and Not Our Foe

Salt is one of mama nature’s amazing gifts and up until recently it has been a sought after and respected commodity for thousands of years.  Not only does it enhance the flavour of food it is an essential mineral for our body as we do not create it ourselves. Salt is an electrolyte made of sodium and chloride - 2 naturally occurring elements. Salt has so many important functions in the body:

- it’s contained in our fluids that move oxygen and nutrients - transmits nerve impulses (these are information messengers) - regulates the electrical charges that move into and out of each cell - helps healthy contraction of muscles (the most important being the heart) - maintains the correct balance of body fluids - maintains acid - base balance of our cells - helps balance sugar levels - essential for messages moving to and from the brain - affecting all senses as well ⠀⠀ It is no coincidence that our body fluids, sweat, tears and blood are all salty. Salt can get a bad rap mainly because it is now found in high amounts in the majority of packaged and processed foods, takeaway and dining out food and therefore it is over consumed.  And the salt that is added is usually table salt.  The common link between high salt intake is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to heart disease, stroke and possible death as the arteries become brittle and break.  When we consume too much salt, the body also retains fluid storing it in our cells and body which can raise our blood pressure.

There are 2 main types of salt which are very different. Table salt - is sourced from mined rock salt from underground salt deposits then treated to remove impurities and therefore removes trace minerals.  It usually has a re-created form of iodine added to it during manufacturing, not like the naturally occurring iodine.  It is often labelled as ‘iodised salt’.  It also contains chemical agents to prevent it from clumping. Sea salt - is harvested naturally by allowing ocean water to evaporate and collecting the salt that remains.  You’ll notice it often in flake form.  As sea salt is created naturally and not processed it contains small amounts of trace minerals like zinc, potassium and iron and not really iodine.

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Iodine is naturally found in seaweeds (the best source), and some in fish, seafood, eggs, dairy and even breast milk! It is important to not self supplement iodine, as it is easy to over dose which can cause iodine toxicity. You may have seen people with a goiter, a large lump on their neck caused by a swollen thyroid. Our thyroid is a small, but very important gland found at the base of our neck. It regulates metabolism, body temperature and how we burn fats and carbohydrates. In fact the 2 hormones it produces (thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3) affect every cell in our body. Living further away from the ocean can contribute to lower iodine levels. Although it is relatively easy to prevent this nowadays, some 3rd world countries or people unaware of natural preventative health may have higher rates of goiters.

In terms of womens health, Iodine strongly supports healthy fertility, conception and pregnancy so definately something to keep in mind, especially if you (or a friend or loved one) have been trying for a while.

  If eating a whole foods and plant based diet there is very minimal if any salt found in these foods so using a good quality ‘sea salt’ is perfect.  Note that iodine is not added and may therefore need to be supplemented, although always check with your health practitioner about this.  My favourite form of prescribing iodine is 'topically' via a liquid rubbed onto the belly. As the skin is the largest organ it can effectively distribute it to where it is most needed - and how much. This form is very easy to safely use as the internal organs do not need to process it via digestion. Plus it is easy to see if you are actually deficient in how quickly your skin absorbs it !! There are some natural food sources, however if you have gut concerns you may not be absorbing the right amount, so restoring a strong microbiome and digestive functions first would be beneficial. In clinic I use acupuncture and herbal medicine to create a stronger digestive foundation, then use supplementation if needed.

As always a clean whole foods diet with lots of plants is recommended, with good quality and as ethically sourced as possible animal products if you enjoy them. Knowing what we are eating opposed to packaged and over processed foods will help us have a healthier relationship with the life-giving wonder that salt is.

Miriam x