What Exactly Is Table Salt?
Randi Meares Brodmann, ND, MFA, CPRS, CCS, CNC, AADP
Doctor of Naturopathy/ Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner in Women’s Wellness.
Table salt begins its journey as a naturally occurring mineral. It is typically mined from salt mines and its properties have been refined and stripped of virtually all essential and trace minerals until only the sodium chloride molecule remains. By weight, sodium chloride is 40% sodium and 60% chloride. It is this tightly bound molecule of “sodium-chloride” that naturalists believe to be at the root of many health problems. Sodium precipitates potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as other minerals and trace elements in the body, thus changing the body’s biochemical structure and causing an imbalance in pH levels...leading to the formation of excess acidity and fluid in body tissues. Iodine is added to table salt on the basis that it will be of benefit to the thyroid. Iodine, however, according to some, can catalyze and accelerate the production of [cancer-causing] nitrates in the stomach and is related to intolerant reactions.
Both sodium and chloride are essential to our health. Along with sodium, chloride is paramount to good health as it helps to preserve a neutral acid-alkaline balance. It also aids potassium absorption, is crucial in maintaining proper stomach acid levels for digestion, and assists the body in removing carbon dioxide from tissues. Iodine is a thyroid-enriching nutrient that occurs naturally in many sea vegetables and other foods and was added to table salt in the 1920s to help counteract thyroid problems related to iodine deficiencies. The chemicals added to table salt include: Chemical bleach, sodium bicarbonate, fluoride, MSG (monosodium glutamate), anti-caking agents, potassium iodide, solo-coaluminate and other aluminum derivatives.
Nutrition labels are based on a maximum intake of 2,400 mg. sodium per day for the average adult, and 1,200 mg. a day for those 65 years and older. However, experts are now advising the average adult to aim for about 1,500 mg. per day, instead of the 2,400 mg., and in fact feel that 500 mg. per day is probably an even healthier target.