Re: Add Salt?

[Guest guest]

Leita I haven't been told to use it, but I add it for that reason. I began

it in the summer when she was losing salts through perspiration and have

kept it up ever since. Sodium is a pretty important element in the body,

and I did see improved sz control when I started adding a tiny bit. I use

a " lite salt " , which has less sodium than normal salt and some potassium. I

am thinking about changing to " sea salt " as it contains a number of other

important trace elements . . . but while she is going well I won't make any

changes.

Jill

At 01:05 AM 8/9/03, you wrote:

>Has anyone been told to add salt to the diet? I realised that the

>type of food we use is all 'pure' with no additives. I know salt is

>not a good thing in excess but it is also needed and can cause

>problems if not enough is taken [not sure what exactly]. Leita

[Guest guest]

> Has anyone been told to add salt to the diet?

Hi Leita,

Yes, our dietician has added salt tablets to our son's formula.

is 9 years old, weighs 23kgs and has 24gms of salt per day.

I hope the following may help answer your questions.

Regards

Jeni

Vital Functions of Salt in the Body

1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and,

Contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it

is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in

conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical.

2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells

in the body, particularly the brain cells.

3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a

needed element in diabetics.

4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells

in the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites of

energy need by the cells.

5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information

processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment

of conception to death.

6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the

intestinal tract.

7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and

sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.

8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the

sinuses.

9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.

10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.

11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production to the point

that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly

mop up excess saliva indicates salt shortage.

12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm.

Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage

in the body.

13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic.

14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.

15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.

16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.

17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.

18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on

the legs and thighs.

19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing

nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work - from the

moment of conception to death.

20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. When the body is short

of salt, it means the body really is short of water. The salivary

glands sense the salt shortage and are obliged to produce more

saliva to lubricate the act of chewing and swallowing and also to

supply the stomach with water that it needs for breaking down foods.

Circulation to the salivary glands increases and the blood vessels

become " leaky " in order to supply the glands with water to

manufacture saliva. The " leakiness " spills beyond the area of the

glands themselves, causing increased bulk under the skin of the

chin, the cheeks and into the neck.

21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs.

Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea

salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the

market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has

been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive

elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous.

Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system. It is

implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease.

22. Twenty-seven percent of the body's salt is in the bones.

Osteoporosis results when the body needs more salt and takes it from

the body. Bones are twenty-two percent water. Is it not obvious what

happens to the bones when we're deficient in salt or water or both.

* The information on salt intake is taken from Dr. Batmanghelidj's

book, " Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life " .