Better Health Naturally

Is salt good for you?  First you need to understand the difference between table salt, sodium chloride, and sodium salts found in vegetables and fruits. 

            Sodium chloride is an inorganic material, basically rock, that is not found in any cell of the body.  It causes high blood pressure and should be strictly limited if someone has heart, kidney or liver disease.  Because it is an irritant to the body and in some circumstances, even a poison, the body will store it in solution in the outer extremities of the body, to protect the major organs and the blood.  That is why you tend to retain water when you eat too much salt. 

            Natural sodium on the other hand is necessary for life and is found in every cell of the body.  It is found in abundance in many foods such as tomatoes, asparagus, celery, spinach, kale, radishes, turnips, carrots, lettuce, strawberries and many others.  The word salt comes from the Latin word “salus” , meaning health.

            The sodium in our diet comes from three main sources, 1. Salt naturally present in food, 2. Salt added to processed and restaurant food, and 3. The salt we add to our own food during cooking or at the table.

            To reduce the amount of sodium chloride you are eating, 1. Remove the salt shaker from the table, 2. Cut by at least ½ the amount of salt you are adding when cooking, 3. Omit salty processed foods, 4. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned, 5. Avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate).

            Also, remember to read labels.  You will be amazed at how much sodium chloride you are actually eating.  One of my family members (80 years old) totally got off of her high blood pressure medication doing two things, eliminating salt from her diet and exercise. If she can do it, you too can achieve Better Health, Naturally.