by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
We are so often told that salt is dangerous for us in our diet, etc., but salt is a highly beneficial substance that was once more valuable than gold.
Salt seasons, cures, and preserves. It also seals, cleans, and acts as an antiseptic. It regulates the exchange of water between cells and the fluidic systems making possible the absorption of nutrients and the disposal of waste into the bloodstream.
Sodium is necessary for muscle contraction, as well as the transmission of nerve impulses. Chloride is essential for digestion and respiration.
An adult body contains enough salt to fill 3 or 4 saltshakers ― but we are constantly losing it through bodily functions and must replenish the supply, particularly under labor or sweating.
We know when we have lost too much salt when we are easily dehydrated, have muscle cramps, restlessness, altered mental state, fatigue, muscle spasms and nausea.
Too much salt is not good for us, in fact it can kill. But for the latter to happen you have to really eat an awful lot of it and you simply would not as it would make you sick before you even got anywhere remotely near the fatal dose.
Lack of salt, on the other hand, also kills and here you do not even know when you come close to it, except for the fact that you have, as said above, muscle cramps, restlessness, altered mental state, fatigue, muscle spasms and nausea.
Anyone who has been in the military knows that salt is needed for you get issued salt tablets to be taken when drinking water in order to combat the loss of salt through perspiration and urination when performing arduous tasks such as marching with full kit, etc.
Salt is also useful from which, with the addition of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil, such as Tea Tree, Mint, Aloe Vera, etc., to make tooth powder. Better for you than any commercial toothpaste, as the latter, normally, contains fluoride and other additives which may not, necessarily, be very healthy.
So, don't believe all that you hear about salt...
© 2013
