Salt

It's true that salt is vital to life, but it is also true that not all salt is created equal. Rock salts and sea salts are unrefined and contain many important trace elements that encourage healthy cellular metabolism. Table salt, on the other hand, is refined and stripped of all trace elements before anti-caking agents and iodine is added. In fact, table salt cannot be properly digested by the human body and when consumed it is toxic to the body's natural processes, leading to cellular inflammation; water retention and cardiovascular disease. A recent study out of Harvard presented such evidence to the tune of 2.3 million deaths worldwide in 2010 from heart attacks, strokes and other heart-related diseases linked to excessive salt intake. And don't be fooled, iodized salt will not increase your body's iodine levels. Instead, iodine should be supplied from seafood, kelp and seaweed, eggs, cereals and grains. In fact, research has shown that people who eat processed foods are at risk of iodine overdose and related health problems including overactive or inflamed thyroid, which can lead to tremors, disturbed heart rhythm, sleep disorders, increased blood pressure and anxiety and nervousness. 

The best thing you can do for your salt balance is to eliminate canned and refined foods from your diet, and closely monitor your intake of processed salt. Stay away from foods that list "sodium chloride" on the label. If for some reason you don't have a label to guide you, color is also an indicator. Refined salt is pure white, whereas unrefined salts are greyish white or pink due to their mineral content. Consider switching to Himalayan crystal salt instead. Packed with 84 of the same minerals and elements found naturally in the human body, Himalayan crystal salt helps control water levels within the body; promotes a stable pH balance inside cells (including the brain); supports blood sugar health; improves cardiorespiratory function; and helps to reduce muscle cramps and increase bone strength. Natural sea salts, while better than table salt, come from evaporated seawater and may contain toxins and pollutants not found in Himalayan salt. Harvested all over the world, varieties of sea salt may contain different trace minerals that may alter the taste and color of the product. One thing all salts do have in common though is that they are all 40 percent sodium. And despite the average daily intake being five to six grams, we actually need only 1,500 mg of sodium per day. If you have questions or concerns about your salt intake, or the best source of salt, talk with Dr. Bossio.

REFERENCES

Photo credit. FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/salt-and-spoon-photo-p206860

Iodized Salt: Friend or Foe? Nanditha Ram. Natural News.
http://www.naturalnews.com/041484_iodized_salt_iodine_sodium_chloride.html

Excess Salt Consumption Found to be the Cause of Millions of Heart Disease Deaths Worldwide. John Phillip. Natural News.
http://www.naturalnews.com/041269_salt_consumption_heart_disease_
hypertension.html

Does Salt Cause Hypertension and Heart Disease? Jonathan Landsman. Natural News.
http://www.naturalnews.com/040560_thyroid_iodine_dr_brownstein.html

Q & A Library: Selecting Sea Salt? DrWeil.com.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA351563/Selecting-Sea-Salt.html.

Image Attribution: Mister GC/freedigitalphotos.net

Herbed Salt

Herbed salts are a fantastic way to spice up pretty much any food. They are simple, relatively quick to prepare, can keep for months and, when used moderately, they can also be beneficial to your health. Not only does your body need unprocessed salt to survive, salt acts as a carrier of flavor for the herbs which will provide additional health benefits in their own rites. A traditional Tuscan herb salt uses a 50/50 combo of fresh rosemary and sage leaves. A Provencal herb salt on the other hand, adds a touch of lavender to a mixture of thyme, rosemary and savory. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try your own mixture of herbs and see what you come up with. Try a combo of mint, lemon grass, cilantro and ginger, or play around with a mixture of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme - the possibilities are endless! 

Ingredients:

1 or 2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon of Himalayan or sea salt
1/2 cup of fresh herbs, leaves only

Directions:

Step 1: Begin by crushing and peeling each garlic clove. Garlic can have a sprout in the center, which can be bitter, so it is a good idea to remove and discard the sprout if there is one.
 
Step 2:  Next, rake your salt and garlic into a pile on a cutting board. Use a chef's knife to mince the garlic, blending it with the salt as you work. Make a separate pile of herbs on the cutting board and chop them coarsely. Combine the two piles and chop them together until you have a mixture that is the texture of coarse sand.

Step 3:  Lastly, spread the herb salt into a thin layer on a baking sheet and leave it near an open window for a couple of days to dry. 

Once dry, add a little to a well balanced meal and store the rest in a clean, dry jar.

Image Attribution: Klenova/stockfresh.com

Iodine

Iodine is essential to life, but both deficiency and overdose can have severe health consequences.  The body needs iodine - a trace mineral - to make thyroid hormones which control the body's metabolism and many other important functions. Without sufficient iodine, your body is unable to produce these hormones, opening the door for a host of health complications including enlarged thyroid, hypothyroidism, fibrocystic breast disease, and various physical and mental disabilities during fetal development. On the other hand, excessive intake of Iodine can cause an enlarged thyroid as well as hyperthyroidism, thyroid papillary cancer and iodermia, a serious skin reaction. 

Environmental factors including soil concentration and use of fertilizers can affect the iodine levels of foods, and most foods that naturally contain iodine typically contain only small amounts. Due to iodine additives, processed foods provide sufficient amounts of iodine, but due to the numerous downfalls of processed foods, you're better off opting for the lower iodine-containing natural foods to supply your body's iodine. Sea vegetables, natural yogurt, grass-fed eggs and mozzarella cheese are all excellent sources of natural iodine. Fish and shellfish, while rumored to be excellent sources of iodine, can actually vary greatly regarding iodine content. As such, it is a good idea to not rely too heavily on fish as an iodine source. The use of iodized salt has dramatically increased the iodine intake of people in developed countries. It is important to keep in mind when switching to a healthier source of salt - especially if you go the extra step of ridding your diet of processed foods that contain iodine additives - your iodine intake may dramatically decrease as well. Iodine levels can be a bit tricky to maintain, so be sure to talk to Dr. Bossio before adjusting your diet or supplements for reasons related to iodine. Consultation with Dr. Bossio is especially important if you have a history of thyroid problems, poor dietary balance and deficient intake of iodine and/or selenium.

REFERENCES

Iodine. World's Healthiest Foods.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=69

Iodine: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-QuickFacts/.