Is Salt bad for you? Naturally occurring salts in plant based whole food should be OK for most of us. For example, Celery.
Salt extracted from other sources could be a toxic irritant to our bodies (at the cellular level.) It can upset the sodium/potassium ratio…
Salt, like spices does tend to pervert our taste buds in that we lose our appreciation for the natural taste of the food itself. Salt also tends to retard digestion affecting the elimination cycle.
But, if it means we don’t eat plant based whole food because we don’t put a dash of salt, pepper and/or spices on it, I say make our food taste good! Use it, but try not to overdo it. Furthermore, try to avoid condiments altogether (Mustard and Ketchup, etc.) as they are loaded with salt and sugar.
It has been said 'salt' can make you lose calcium from your bones...
Hidden Salt
The same goes for processed or refined foods. This is where you have to be careful because the amount added could be huge! Anything that comes in a box, can, bottle or package likely has added salt way in excess of what we need (that is put there to flavor the food.)
Salt can make your blood pressure higher because it thickens the blood. It can damage arteries, blood vessels, heart, kidneys and brain…
Is Sea Salt Healthier?
Sea salt and table salt have the same nutritional value. One is not better than the other, only table salt has Iodine added which is essential to our Thyroid.
The common potato (russet) is an easy addition to most meals and is one of the richest sources of iodine in the plant kingdom. One medium-sized baked potato has 60/mcg of iodine. The USDA recommends 150 micrograms (0.15 mg) of iodine per day for adults.
One baked potato will give less than half of the amount of iodine you need in one day plus only 160 calories for a medium one. Leave the skin on if you buy organic as regular potatoes are sprayed heavily with pesticide.
Salt triggers autoimmune response like rheumatoid arthritis. Salt over activates kidneys starving body of oxygen activating inflammation...
The only salt we need comes from plant based whole food itself. Salt in small amounts helps you…
- Maintain fluid balance in body
- Assists in nerve impulse transmission
- Plays a part in contraction and relaxation of muscles
Some people’s bodies are more sensitive to salt than others. The daily USDA guideline for Americans is less than 2,400 mg. (approx. 1 teaspoon) per day. Many of us use 3,000 to over 4,000 mg. a day.
It is recommended for those over 50 to use no more than 1500 mg. a day. Read labels to know how much ‘salt, oil and sugar‘ is in what you eat. I felt better when I got added salt out of my diet.
After years of suffering, I discovered excess salt caused inflammation in me. Be sure you get natural sources of iodine, instead of table salt. Seaweed has a lot of it, so don’t eat too much. It also has arsenic. Extra potassium can help balance excess sodium. Bananas don’t have as much potassium as beans and greens do. Beans and greens are the number one source.
Note- before you change your diet, contact your doctor.
