Salt: yay or nay?

[sungoddess]

Assuming I am only referring to completely natural salt like Celtic Sea salt or Himalayan salt...I have read in numerous places that salt is extremely benificial and necessary for optimum health... where as I have also read that salt is abd for us and should be kept at a minumum or cut out altogether... what are the takes from the people here??
Thank you!

[Veganforlife]

I use very little. I think it's a personal preference thing...

[Pierre]

I use it occasionally. A lot of my salt intake these days is from olives, but occasionally when I'm out of olives I salt an avocado or two. I just drank some olive water; I have a stuffy nose and when I drank a bit my body said "More!" I also eat dulse.

[Lady Green Jeans]

Not a big salt fan--use just enough natural salt to open the flavors in my food. Adore a wide variety of herbs, spices and some heat in dishes, too.

[ShelShel]

Sometimes I curb monthly cravings by combining raw sunflower seeds, figs, dates, sea salt, and a little water in my food processor. When it just comes together, I take little bits of the mixture and roll it into balls. Then I refridgerate them. They are the perfect sweet with salty treat to get me through rough days. So, yes, I use salt, but only when really craving it! ;)

[dreamrawalwz]

Salt technically cannot be assimilated into the body. To me it acts like a poison (as it is). It also killls/numbs your taste buds and doesn't really "enhance" flavors of foods. I used to be HIGHLY addicted to salt and it really caused depression for me. I'm not trying to put down salt, just relaying things I've learned through this board and other informative sites. If I can remember the links I will put it here. Now, if it helps you stay raw for now then I say use it sparingly!

[sport]

Doug Graham says the following.
If you set a man out on a boat with only salt water to drink he will dehydrate and die.
If you give a man fresh water it will hydrate him and give him life.
If you take the salt water and remove the life giving part from it (ie the water) then what are you left with. Why would you put that in your body and expect it to do you good.

[sungoddess]

thanks guys... I definitely eat too much salt then...

[codajess]

I'm ok with using salt.

[Sharon in Colorado]

If/when I use it, it is mainly for taste reasons. I would like to get it out of my diet completely. I agree, and have read plenty of info on how salt is a toxin though Paul Bragg and Doug Graham. Plus when you don't use salt you can really taste the saltiness in the food.

It is good to make sure you are getting plenty of sodium naturally through plant foods.

[papayaya]

Salt technically cannot be assimilated into the body. To me it acts like a poison (as it is).

sorry just to clarify...it can't be assimilated??? im pretty sure that we need sodium to live, but my biology prof. could be wrong... am i missing something???

[DavidZaneMason]

-I avoid it...and have for many, many years. My personal experience is that it is, at best, not needed....at worst a detriment. Just my opinion - of course.

-David Mason

[Conscious Midwife]

Sea salt increases my cravings for salty SAD and still causes swelling and fluid retention when I've over done it in the past. So now I'm avoiding it.

[Sheryl]

I've heard the salt can not be assimilated thing before.. it's actually slightly incorrect though. Inorganic minerals like in sea salt can not be turned into living cells in people (plants do that job for us), however the mineral salts used to balance ph and stuff in our blood stream is inorganic. I read that recently in a biology book. Maybe though if organic is available it's used... I don't know. Just thought I'd throw that in for discussion.

Also read a survival book recently, and you can extend life in a raft with no access to fresh water by drinking a small amount of sea water. There are guidelines to doing so and tables depending on the salt level of the ocean where you are. It varies greatly. I think in the example they used consciousness was extended by three days, raising chances of being able to attract rescue.

Also wild animals all around the world seek out salt. It's a natural drive. I think where it's been perverted is in making it so available, that people can over do it quite easily.

I do agree however that needed salts can be found eating celery etc. Personally I do occasionally use salt in recipes, as stated above, to open the flavour, and do eat raw organic salted olives.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[Coriander74]

I'm a self-professed salt addict. I used to be hooked on salt-and-vinegar SAD chips and even now it's hard for me not to dump Celtic salt on everything.

If I'm having a particularly bad craving though I'll use a tiny bit on top of an avocado and that helps.

I try not to use a lot though because I do retain water like anything :D

[dreamrawalwz]

sorry just to clarify...it can't be assimilated??? im pretty sure that we need sodium to live, but my biology prof. could be wrong... am i missing something???

You need sodium yes, but not salt per say. Naturally occuring sodium is in celery, tomatoes, and other foods.

[rawbeliever]

I love salt, and I do use a little here and there...but I don't believe that it's actually good for me. My skin looks better when I don't use it (less dehydrated) and I have far fewer cravings when I'm not using it.

[spicyfull]

I avoid salt whenever possible. My body gets enough natural sodium in my RAW diet.

[Brianna]

I say nay. Look for science in the next up and coming issue of the hIppocrates magazine. We have an article about it in there.

[alex]

Salt is critically important to health.

Google 'sodium potassium pump'

Like with fats where the ratio of omega6 : omega3 is important, so is the ratio of sodium : potassium in the body. An imbalance causes problems.

A fascinating book: Salt - A World History by Mark Kurlansky


alex