People who consume to much salt, nearly everyone in the US does, will lose more calcium in their urine. The more salt you eat the more calcium, which you do need, disappears!
In the body, your cells need a delicate balance of fluid (pH) for circulation, excess salt interferes with the normal balance of sodium. We really only need about 1,000 mg of sodium daily. (Salt is sodium on the mineral table.)
Salt may be zero calories but it will make you fat!
All that salt makes you retain water, such as; do you have bloating, swollen legs, etc? Salt addiction can make you fat; we need to control salt intake to slim down. Average American consumes 3,000 to 6,000 mg of salt per day!
To much sodium can change your metabolism which boosts insulin production, this tells the body to store more fat! The higher your insulin level the more fat you gain and that equals more weight!
Say NO to processed foods, the biggest source of sodium, is hidden in these commercial per-packaged foods. Crackers and frozen foods can have 80% sodium! One packet of ramen noodles, a staple for many students and elderly contains 1,350 mg of sodium!
Low salt, not No salt, is the best permanent way to eating! We do need some to maintain fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses and to contract and relax muscles. Two thirds of a teaspoon a day is plenty for most of us!
Yes there is such a thing as salt addiction because it triggers release of neurotransmitters in the brains pleasure center, so you will crave more salty food!
Its just like alcohol or nicotine, but this packs on the pounds.
Turn it all around. Slow down salt intake and you’ll drop the pounds. Drink more water, not sodas, they are high in sodium!
More facts about salt:
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In ancient times salt was traded in equal weight with gold!
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Canadian studies show that eating more than one teaspoon of salt daily could double your risk of cataracts.
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Taking cortisone drugs or anabolic steroids also causes more salt buildup.
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Over the counter medicines, like laxatives, sleep aides, and antacids all have increased amounts of sodium.
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High Sodium can stress the kidneys which can result in hypertension.
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15-25% of Americans are “salt sensitive” and experience sharp spikes in Blood Pressure after consuming sodium.
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Using sea salt is better for it has a good mineral content versus table salt which is iodized, bleached and has aluminum added!
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There is also “sodium deficiency” which can cause low blood pressure, weakness, nausea, and tissue dehydration. So can excessive sweating, fevers and diuretics.
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One teaspoon of salt equals about 2300 mg of sodium.
Use whole unprocessed, fresh fruits and veggies they contain virtually no sodium, only what may be natural.
Substitute herbs and spices for salt, to increase food flavors. Good suggestions are Miso,Tamari, or Braggs liquid amines.
Other suggestions to lower salt intake:
Eat the Mediterranean Diet.
Eat more potassium rich foods to improve high blood pressure.
Hibiscus Tea is a respected remedy in many countries for high blood pressure.
References:
Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.
Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.
Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.
Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.
She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.
Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.
