Sea Salt and What it Can Do for You

I read in a recent book by Batmanghelidj, called "Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life" that salt is not necessarily bad for you.
There are vital functions in the body that need salt but you have to be careful to get the right balance. I had no idea till I read these that salt was so important. I've been limiting my salt due to the fact I have diabetes and have been suffering with leg cramps. I'm now going to change the way I eat to sea salt and still be careful of the intake but maybe the leg crams will stop. I thought you might be interested in what he has to say also.

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. The trick is to get the proportions right as this is critical. Here are some quotes from his book.

"Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells."

"Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics."

"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."

"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."

"Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract."

"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" a salt shortage.

"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."

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

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

"Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."