My mother believes salt is poison. She tells me to use it sparingly.

If you’re talking about table salt, this falls into the category of “Mom is always right.” But one type of salt appears to be good for us, as it provides the minerals our bodies need.

Is Himalayan Salt Good for You?

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Right now, pink Himalayan salt is gaining worldwide attention as a dietary supplement. Knowing what I know, this is the only salt we use in our house for cooking and seasoning.

But back to the problem of table salt. This is what’s found in most homes.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that excess consumption can contribute to heart attack and stroke. Most Americans, by the way, go way too heavy on the salt shaker, especially considering what it’s typcially filled with.

Alarmingly, the CDC pointed out that 15 percent of children have elevated blood pressure, because of salt. This, unfortunately, puts them at risk for heart disease. But, the CDC doesn’t differentiate between table salt and naturally occurring salts.

Is Himalayan Salt Healthy?

Salt is necessary for life, and we need a certain amount to regulate our heart rate and to maintain a proper balance of bodily fluids. What kind of salt you should eat, and how much, is a question you need to ask your doctor, since I can’t give medical advice. All I can do is share with you my own reasons for using pink Himalayan salt instead of regular table salt.

Is Salt Good for You?

Table salt is not found in nature. It’s a highly processed material with a different chemical composition than real salt. As it’s being manufactured, and cooked at high temperatures, it’s stripped of its minerals.

The cheap salt in those cylindrical shakers, sold in grocery stores and discount outlets, is considered to be denatured by many alternative health experts. This type of salt may also also be filled with dangerous additives, such as aluminum. Amazingly, a form of this heavy metal, linked to Alzheimer’s disease, can legally be added to much of the US food supply. Also, chlorine, is typically used to bleach table salt.

Himalayan Salt Benefits

There’s little doubt that table salt is something we don’t need, according to most alternative health experts.

But unprocessed pink Himalayan salt appears to be good for us. This salt is mined in the pristine Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan. (As I mentioned earlier, it’s the only type of salt we now use in our house.) As part of my strategy to regain my health, since I have chronic nerve inflammation. (But I’m living a normal life with very few symptoms, thanks to clean eating and a lot of natural remedies.)

Himalayan salt contains all of the essential minerals, in just the right amounts. Many holistic practitioners believe that mineral deficiency is a root cause of various illnesses, including cancer. So, in effect, this salt is a dietary supplement, as well as a food flavoring.

 So my mother is right about avoiding salt. But she’s only partially right. Table salt is a toxin that doesn’t belong in our kitchen. But pink Himalayan salt is something we may actually want to add to our diets.

Himalayan salt, in moderation, of course, is said to be so good for you that one alternative medical treatment involves spending time in a special “salt cave,” lined with this pink mineral salt. Typically, these caves also have salt particles suspended in the air with a special pump. Breathing this salt is often recommended (by natural healers) for people with lung disease.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.