Celtic Sea Salt (Everyone plus Marcy & Ken)

[Guest guest]

I just responded to Marcy's questions about cramps and Ken's

question about Gator Aide, which reminded me that I should pass this

valuable tidbit of information regarding salt. It is not just any

kind of salt, but Celtic Sea Salt. It typically can be found in

many health food stores.

Our doctor recommends that sips throughout the day a

mixture that helps her digest foods thoroughly and balances her

body's mineral requirements. This is a mixture of Celtic Sea

Salt (1/2 teaspoon), juice of a whole lemon in a 6 ounce glass of

filtered water. It took awhile for her to adjust to the taste, so

we initially diluted it. The bonus is that it is much better than

regular water and far better than juices or soda's which just

spike insulin levels. Actually my husband and I are now drinking it

ourselves because it is very energizing and refreshing. While this

remedy may sound strange, it works great and here is why.

Today's common table salt is over-processed so that it can flow

nicely and most of its natural minerals are stripped away and sold

to create higher profit margins. All that is left in regular table

salt is 98% sodium chloride - no trace minerals, no natural

balance. Ordinary table salt is a chemical as clean white sugar.

It almost always contain additives, like 0.01% of potassium-Iodide

(added to the salt to avoid iodine deficiency disease of thyroid

gland), sugar (added to stabilize iodine and as anti-caking

chemical), and aluminum silicate.

The following pirated material discusses the many benefits of real

SEA SALT, the stuff that looks like rock salt and has a light gray

color (source: The Grain & Salt Society).

It is true we need salt to live. Our own cellular makeup is very

similar to sea water. Much more than a solution of salt water, the

ocean's waters contain a complex combination of minerals and

elements (approximately 80 minerals). It is this coincidence that

has likely made salt, which is essential to life, the condiment most

used for thousands of years.

" Salt " is actually a chemical term for a substance produced

by a reaction of an acid with a base. The terms, " salt " and " sodium "

are used interchangeably, but technically this is not

correct. " Salt " is sodium chloride. By weight, it is 40% sodium and

60% chloride. Sodium is an essential nutrient, a mineral that the

body cannot manufacture itself but which is required for life and

good health. Human blood contains 0.9% sodium chloride, or salt --

the same concentration as found in saline solutions used to cleanse

wounds. That coincidence is why we crave it and why man came to

covet it.

Mineral salts create ELECTROLYTES. Electrolytes, often called the

spark of life, are what carry the electrical currents throughout our

bodies- sending messages to the cells in all of the different

systems. Electrolytes are also necessary for enzyme production.

ENZYMES are responsible for BREAKING DOWN FOOD, for ABSORBING

NUTRIENTS, MUSCLE FUNCTION, HORMONE PRODUCTION and MORE.

If you were to ask anyone to pass the salt, it is a given that in

most restaurants you would receive a shaker full of PROCESSED sodium

chloride. This MODERN SALT is not what it used to be. It is not, in

fact, the composition that it was when it became our condiment of

choice. Today's TABLE SALT is 98% SODIUM CHLORIDE- no TRACE

MINERALS, no NATURAL BALANCE.

Given the latest health findings that a balance of minerals is the

healthiest choice, it makes good sense to switch to NATURAL SALTS

which contain magnesium and potassium. Not only do these salts

promote good health, they also taste better. The metamorphosis of

sea water into salt allows sea salt to keep all of its essential

components, thus the benefits and flavor of the minerals that

typical table salt is lacking.

For thousands of years, we have known that salt intake can affect

blood pressure. But scientists disagree over how much is too much.

For years many researchers have claimed that salt threatens public

health by contributing to high blood pressure. Over time, studies

investigating the relationship between sodium and high blood

pressure have produced mixed results. Most doctors and major health

organizations around the world recommend a diet low in sodium. Some

veer toward the extreme and prescribe a no-salt diet.

What science is now telling us, is that a BALANCE of MINERALS is

necessary and more beneficial than eliminating sodium. The featured

study in the September, 2002 issue of the British Medical Journal

states that significant sodium reduction would lead to only very

small blood pressure changes in the limited sodium-sensitive

populations and would not produce the health benefits presumed.

Beth

**********

Hi Marcy,

I have a little different twist on muscle camps. I agree that an

electrolyte imbalance is the cause but I also consider using

something that has been successful in our family, since both my

husband I get cramps periodically.

Our doctor recommended that we take ½ teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt

with lemon juice from a whole lemon mixed in 6 ounces of filtered

water. Sip this throughout the day and it should readjust your

electrolytes. I found this to be a great sports drink. You would

think that drinking salt you would end up being thirsty but exactly

the opposite is true. I am always refreshed and my mouth has more

saliva, seems strange but it works.

You can not use regular table salt; it needs to be the kind of rock

salt that looks grey in color. In a short while I will post

information about real sea salt and its many benefits especially

when compared to denatured table salt.

Beth