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Salt and Human Health
Sodium chloride, more commonly known as salt,
represents an essential element of life, being one of the elements
the human body cannot do without. It is present for 2/3 in the
extra-cellular liquids and for 1/3 it is primarily fixed within the
bones. Every imbalance in the extra-cellular hydration is connected
to anomalies in the presence of sodium (that is, of salt). In the
US, the consumption of sodium is on an average about 3 grams a day,
corresponding to the ingestion of 7-8 grams of salt.
A certain amount of salt must be incorporated daily in our diet, not only because it is very rapidly eliminated by our organism and also because it enhances the taste of our food, but above all because the identification of salty taste triggers the production of the saliva and the gastric juices, essential for food digestion. In addition, the presence of sodium and chlorine is essential in the digestive processes, since they are both present in the gastric juices, in the saliva, in the pancreatic juice and in the bile. The sodium and the chlorine act then at different levels, along the digestive track, since sodium contributes to the absorption of glucides, while chlorine, in the form of hydrochloric acid, is essential for the digestion of solids.
The kidneys regulate the sodium balance. They are able to quickly adjust the sodium balance, when the quantity of salt varies between 1 and 16 grams a day. Under these conditions, there are no variations in the extra-cellular volume or in body weight. With quantities of salt higher than 16 grams a day, kidney adjustment requires 3-5 days, during which time an increase in the extra-cellular volume and in body weight is evident. After this period of time, the two values stabilize themselves to the new acquired levels.
Sodium chloride can also be used as treatment:
• In cases of glandular problems causing obesity, for instance, salt baths are very useful, even in cases of hypo function or hyper function of the thyroid.
• The application of dry or wet salt compresses reduces the excess liquid present in the tissues.
• For relief of swollen and sore feet, immerse them in a basin of warm water with a handful of salt.
• To reduce bags under the eyes apply compresses soaked in a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a 4 cups of warm water.
• Gargling with some salt and bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water disinfects the mouth, leaving a fresh breath.
• The inhalation of salt-water steam through the nose can relieve bothersome cases of phlegm or of inflammation of the respiratory mucosa.
• For an all natural peel, try mixing a cream with honey and salt and massage it gently over the interested parts of the face.
A certain amount of salt must be incorporated daily in our diet, not only because it is very rapidly eliminated by our organism and also because it enhances the taste of our food, but above all because the identification of salty taste triggers the production of the saliva and the gastric juices, essential for food digestion. In addition, the presence of sodium and chlorine is essential in the digestive processes, since they are both present in the gastric juices, in the saliva, in the pancreatic juice and in the bile. The sodium and the chlorine act then at different levels, along the digestive track, since sodium contributes to the absorption of glucides, while chlorine, in the form of hydrochloric acid, is essential for the digestion of solids.
The kidneys regulate the sodium balance. They are able to quickly adjust the sodium balance, when the quantity of salt varies between 1 and 16 grams a day. Under these conditions, there are no variations in the extra-cellular volume or in body weight. With quantities of salt higher than 16 grams a day, kidney adjustment requires 3-5 days, during which time an increase in the extra-cellular volume and in body weight is evident. After this period of time, the two values stabilize themselves to the new acquired levels.
Sodium chloride can also be used as treatment:
• In cases of glandular problems causing obesity, for instance, salt baths are very useful, even in cases of hypo function or hyper function of the thyroid.
• The application of dry or wet salt compresses reduces the excess liquid present in the tissues.
• For relief of swollen and sore feet, immerse them in a basin of warm water with a handful of salt.
• To reduce bags under the eyes apply compresses soaked in a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a 4 cups of warm water.
• Gargling with some salt and bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water disinfects the mouth, leaving a fresh breath.
• The inhalation of salt-water steam through the nose can relieve bothersome cases of phlegm or of inflammation of the respiratory mucosa.
• For an all natural peel, try mixing a cream with honey and salt and massage it gently over the interested parts of the face.