There are some things everyone can agree on. For instance, water is good for your health. Other statements go against mainstream thinking, such as, salt is just as essential to good health as water.

Salt’s Bad Rap

The American Heart Association, the Institute of Medicine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture campaign feverishly towards one goal: reduce the amount of salt Americans consume.

The current 3,400 mg per day the average American eats is dangerous. Studies consistently show that eating too much sodium increases your risk for hypertension, stroke, heart failure and several other illnesses.

Salt’s Good Side

We hear advice to reduce our sodium intake so often that we don’t consider that salt is essential to our bodies. It even gives us a rather poetic connection to nature: the sodium content in our blood is almost identical to the sodium content of sea water.

Salt is an electrolyte, as is magnesium and potassium. Our body uses electrolytes to transmit electrical signals to our cells. Salt also aids in reducing lactic acid and helps maintain the pH balance of blood. It also helps regulate blood sugar and produce gastric juices.

Salt is an effective home remedy. When our clients suffer cramps, we give them salt water and most of the time they experience instant relief. Sea salt is a great rinse to help heal mouth sores and clear sinus mucus. Also, a salt bath is good for relaxing muscles.

Salt in Moderation

There’s an easy way to dramatically reduce your sodium. You’ll even benefit from more nutrients. And best of all, you don’t have to hide your salt shaker. Simply eat less processed food.

Processed food is the real diet devil. At least half of our sodium comes from packaged food. Bread, pizza and pasta, not to mention all that easy frozen fare, are loaded with sodium. Packaged food also contains chemicals, sugar and refined grains. Even worse, they’re devoid of nutrients.

Eating real food will do more for your health than simply reducing your sodium intake. As a general rule, when you don’t have to open a box, remove plastic or read ingredients, you’ll get more nutrients. Buy real fruits and vegetables, the ones covered with a little dirt, rather than hormone-altering BPA found in canned vegetables.

Keep the Salt Shaker…

But buy better salt. Table salt is highly processed and only contains sodium chloride. Celtic sea salt and Himalayan salt are high-quality, more natural alternatives. They contain trace amounts of magnesium, calcium and other minerals. Minerals do everything from keeping muscles and nerves healthy to regulating thyroid function to maintaining the immune system. Sea salts also taste better.

Do you need help switching to a real food diet? Or adopting a lifestyle to beat hypertension? Give us a call today. We’ll help you get healthier so you can live more fully.

“Keep On Moving!”

Luis Ponce, Sr.

( 408) 778-5577

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