All salts are not equal

What are mineral salts

There are 84 mineral salts in our bodies. They are one of the main building blocks of our bodies and we do need them to stay healthy.

They help maintain the normal volume of blood in the body and also help keep the correct balance of water in and around the cells and tissues. These salts play an important part in the digestion of food and are essential in making the heart beat correctly. They are also necessary for the formation and proper function of nerve fibres which carry impulses to and from the brain.

Table salt
We are being told to reduce our table salt intake, so why? Table salt is sodium chloride. There is nothing wrong with that in itself, but it is only one of 84 different mineral salts and needs to be balanced with the other 83 if it is to be used correctly by the body. There is far too much sodium chloride added to manufactured food so we should always be sure to use a more balanced and complete salt so that we get the full range of mineral salts our bodies need.

Himalayan salt
Himalayan Crystal Salt is obtained from ancient inland deposits of salt and includes all of the 84 natural minerals and trace elements found in your body. It is not refined in anyway. Salt is essential for detoxifying, so add the purest salt, Himalayan salt, to your diet to aid with detoxification. You can also add some to your bath water and if you need it your body will absorb it.

Vegetable salt

Vegetable salts are prepared with fresh, organically grown herbs combined with natural sea salt and allowed to “steep" for up to one year before the moisture is removed.

Sea salt or damp grey sea salt
Sea salt is made from sea water drawn direct from areas that are considered free of toxic residues in the water. There are a few of these on the market.

• Maldon Salt is made from sea water drawn from the river Blackwater in Essex.
• Cornish Sea Salt is harvested from water drawn from the ocean off the Cornish coast. 
• Welsh Halen Môn is made from water drawn from the Menai Straits. 
• Coarse grey Celtic sea salt comes from the North West of France. It is harvested manually without any mechanical manipulation and is certified organic. The salt crystals are unwashed and completely natural with nothing added and nothing removed. 

Soy sauces

Soy sauce is produced by fermenting soybeans. It is the only soy product that should be eaten, but there is so much GM soy on the market now that you should take care that your soy sauce is made from non GM soy. Many soy sauces are produced using wheat. Tamari is normally wheat free, so if you are gluten intolerant pay special attention to side effects of soy sauces. They are also highly likely to contain added MSG, so make sure yours is clearly labelled MSG free.