Nutrition Information |
|
||
The Skinny on Salt
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of the earliest known writings, the Chinese Png-tzao-kan-mu, mentioned more than 40 types of salt. This work was written over 4700 years ago. Even older settlements have been found around the world with various devices such as pottery used to evaporate water to leave the salt behind. It is speculated by some that major civilizations flourished in arid regions at the edge of vast deserts due to the physiological need for salt. Salt, or sodium chloride, is a chemical compound. Salt occurs naturally in many areas of the world. Salt crystals are cubic in form - if you view salt through a magnifying glass, you will see small "squares" or cubes. Salt is an essential nutrient - your body requires both sodium and chloride, and cannot manufacture these elements on its own. This is why there is a human gustatory receptor (taste bud) specifically for salt, forming one of the basic components of "taste". Salt is an electrolyte and has a slight charge. Salt preserves food by making it difficult for microorganisms to live - the salt draws water from the cells of microorganisms and dehydrates them. In the body, salt helps to regulate blood volume and pressure. The relationship between salt and blood pressure was known as long as 4,000 years ago, when the Chinese emperor Huang Ti wrote of the connection between salt and a "hardened pulse." Many studies have shown that increasing or decreasing salt intake for salt-sensitive individuals can have a direct impact on blood pressure. Within the body, salt serves as part of the ion pump. Just as salt formed a hostile environment for microorganisms by dehydrating them, salt controls water balance in the human body. The sodium/potassium pump is a prime example of how electrolytes are critical to health (sodium and potassium are both electrolytes). Two potassium molecules are pulled into a cell, and three sodium molecules are pumped out. This is an endless cycle, with the net result that cells carry a slightly negative electrical charge. For many years, controversy has existed with respect to the optimal amounts of salt in the diet. Unfortunately, many studies focused on the salt content of foods without taking into account other electrolytes. Biologically and physiologically, sodium intake alone does not regulate the sodium/potassium pump - potassium intake is important as well! More important than the amount of sodium in the diet is the ratio of sodium to potassium. While food labels are required to report sodium content, they are not required to report potassium content, which makes analyzing potassium intake extremely difficult. Recent research suggests that this ratio is critical. While many studies have focused on high sodium content in the diet, it appears that problems with hypertension may be related more to an inappropriate ratio of sodium to potassium. Processed foods are extremely high in sodium. The major sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables. In recent years, the typical American diet has increased in the amount of processed foods and drastically decreased in the amount of whole, unprocessed foods such as fruit and vegetables. This means that sodium intake is potentially much higher than potassium intake. When monitoring sodium in the diet, it is important to consider two factors. The first factor already discussed is the ratio of sodium to potassium. In order to balance this ratio, it is important to eat whole, unprocessed foods and not to add excessive salt to meals. This will lower the amount of sodium in the diet. One should also increase the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed in order to increase potassium in the diet. The exact ratio is unknown, but research suggests that a 1:1 ratio is probably a good target. The typical American diet is more than a 5:1 ratio in favor of salt! The second factor to consider is fluctuation of intake. Salt sensitivity is not sensitivity to salt in general. It is sensitivity to a drastic change of salt intake. If a person is taking 5 grams of sodium consistently, then suddenly goes on a low sodium diet, problems can occur with a radical shift in blood pressure. Similarly, someone on a "low sodium" diet who suddenly increases sodium intake may experience similar problems. This is why many people who eat healthy throughout the week and then treat themselves to a "splurge" meal sometimes feel nauseous and can even experience elevated heart rate and blood pressure: it is the body's reaction to the sudden increase in salt intake. The sodium/potassium pump affects fluid balance. The body monitors the amount of salt and potassium in the bloodstream, as the body has no mechanism for storing electrolytes. Sodium and potassium are typically filtered in the kidney. When a shortage of either exists, the body secretes hormones that drastically reduce excretion of electrolytes and fluids. This is why cutting out sodium too soon before a body building competition can actually cause the competitor to retain water - the body is reacting to the lowered intake by preserving fluids and electrolytes. To summarize, the skinny on salt is as follows:
The lesson here is one of moderation. Salt is not the enemy, and by no means should it be eliminated from the diet. On the other hand, everyone should be aware of the role that sodium plays in a balanced nutrition program, to make sure that excessive salt is not being consumed. Balance salt intake with potassium intake. The preferred source of any vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient is always natural, unprocessed foods. Jeremy Likness is an International Health Coach and motivational speaker. After losing 65 pounds of fat, he discovered his true vision to coach thousands around the world to better health. A Certified Fitness Trainer and Specialist in Performance Nutrition, Jeremy is the author of the internationally-selling e-Book, Lose Fat, Not Faith and the companion 5-CD set. Jeremy has been published in major online publications including Tom Venuto's Fitness Renaissance and Bodybuilding.com. Jeremy's approach is unique because he focuses on fitness from the inside out. Visit Jeremy online at Natural Physiques.
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Governor signs measure giving counties authority to convert vacation rentals into housing Hawaii News Now Hawaii leaders have new power to limit Airbnbs, vacation rentals Los Angeles Times Maui Mayor Takes 'Bold Step' To Eliminate 7000 Short-Term Rentals By 2026 Honolulu Civil Beat Group occupying Maui beach fronting luxury resorts packs up after vacation rental win Hawaii News Now 'Prioritizing our residents': Maui lawmakers push bill to phase out thousands of vacation rentals KITV Honolulu We went inside Airbnb’s Up house. Take a look! KTLA Los Angeles Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announces bill to phase out vacation rentals in apartment districts Maui Now Hawaii legislature supports Maui aid, approves vacation rental bill Courthouse News Service 7000 Maui short-term rentals could be eliminated under new county bill Hawaiipublicradio Bill aimed at short-term vacation rentals passes Hawaii Tribune-Herald Bissen quick to offer bill to regulate Maui vacation rentals Honolulu Star-Advertiser New Hawai'i law aimed at tackling illegal short-term rentals, provides counties with home rule authority Big Island Now Vacation Rental Prices Come Down From Pandemic High The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Owners selling vacation rentals from under guests is a growing problem The Seattle Times Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis ABC News 11 Best Vacation Rentals in Melbourne, Florida TravelAwaits Expecting new state law, Maui County seeks to phase out thousands of vacation rentals Hawaiipublicradio Don Miller | The battle over short-term vacation rentals comes to Maui Santa Cruz Sentinel Guesty, Short-Term Rental Software Provider, Acquires Rentals United Skift Travel News Hawaii governor pledges to sign vacation rental regulation bill Courthouse News Service Small business owner questions business tax receipts for vacation rentals in Jacksonville Beach FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX Pass Article 59 And Then Address Nuisance… Nantucket Current Hawaii to Offer Tax Amnesty to Switch Short Term Rentals to Long Term CPAPracticeAdvisor.com Hawaii Clears Path! Counties Can Now Ban Vacation Rentals Beat of Hawaii Vacation rental committee to be held next week WDEF News 12 Thousands Of Maui Vacations Rentals First To Be Cut Beat of Hawaii Vacation Rentals: How to Make Your Stay Sustainable The New York Times FL lawmakers pass state regulations on short-term vacation rentals; how will it play out? • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Vacation Rentals on Business Trips? Who Gets the Best Airline Seat? Skift Travel News Oceanside approves cap and new limits on short-term vacation rentals The San Diego Union-Tribune New era of policing vacation rentals in Santa Cruz County pushes complaints, violations into public view Lookout Santa Cruz A Statewide Ban On Vacation Rentals? The Idea Is Gaining Steam After The Maui Fires Honolulu Civil Beat Business Report: Vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Ask Amy: Family friends poach vacation rental Chicago Tribune These Are the Top 10 Vacation Rentals on Vrbo for 2024 Travel + Leisure The Great Arizona Airbnb PHOENIX magazine Lawmakers passed bill to shift control of vacation rentals to state Tallahassee Democrat Green Won't Issue Vacation Rental Moratorium For Maui Honolulu Civil Beat In the Public Interest: New era of policing vacation rentals in Santa Cruz County pushes complaints, violations into ... Lookout Santa Cruz The effort to get the FL governor to veto short-term vacation rental bill accelerates • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Senator wants uniform standards for short-term vacation rentals, but it seems to be a tough sell • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix Park City Lodging wins Best of State for vacation rentals a sixth year in a row - Utah Business Utah Business Hawaii News Now at 4:00 p.m. Hawaii News Now This year's version of a short-term vacation rental bill now goes to the full House • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix 5 Desired Features for Vacation Rentals Real Estate Bill Allowing Hawaiʻi Counties To Phase Out Vacation Rentals Gets Senate Hearing Big Island Video News Savannah's misinterpretation of STVR ordinance makes it toothless Savannah Morning News Some Florida mayors are getting testy about a contentious vacation rental bill • Florida Phoenix Florida Phoenix As vacation rentals eat up housing in South Florida, controlling them might become harder | Opinion Miami Herald Big Island Lawmakers Attempt To Rein In Short-Term Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation rentals bill blasted: Commissioners get an earful over proposed TAR regulations West Hawaii Today Florida's Vacation Rental Bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' review. St. Augustine Record State lawmakers advancing short-term vacation rental measure News 13 Orlando Bills could force short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for Maui residents KITV Honolulu Why Cities' Airbnb Regulation Often Fails NerdWallet |
RELATED ARTICLES
How You Can Support Your Immune System Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited fear among the American public, emptied Chinatowns all over North America and stopped much of the travel between the U.S. The Importance of Protein Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the body so it is an essential part of your diet and can influence your strength but probably not your energy. Your muscles are built with protein and in fact protein is made up of 20 amino acids. Crave Sweets? On the Weight & Mood Roller Coaster? Perhaps Its More Than You Think! The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG TIME on the addictive nature of carbohydrates (sweets, breads, deserts) in the human body. Blood sugar-handling problems promote arteriosclerosis (plaque in the arteries), adult-onset diabetes, mood swings, weight problems, chronic fatigue, PMS and much more. REAL Summer Foods Fire ElementAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five elements that contribute to all activities: TREE / WOOD, FIRE, SOIL / EARTH, METAL and WATER.Fire is the element of summer ? so how can this help to put more of YOU in summer? The more you use EnergyRich Seasonal Foods (rather than associational season foods - a-hem like, maybe, ice-cream?), the more energy you have available for fun!Fire Foods - to Keep You Cool1. What is Organic Farming? Organic farming is the production of food using all natural methods - avoiding all synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms. Its' core philosophy is that of sustainability or 'zero impact'. Understanding Glyconutrients You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are not alone. Perhaps you have heard a bit about glyconutrients but you don't really know what they are or how they could benefit you. Food for Potential Energy FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking or trekking and adventure holidays is to maintain your calorie intake to keep pace with the terrain & amount of equipment you are carrying.The best ratio for active people is:CARBOHYDRATES50-60% Simple carbs. The Cholesterol Myth Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this word? Is it positive or negative? Is it health, or is it heart disease?If what came to mind was negative, as something to avoid, and heart disease, then the pharmaceutical companies food industries have been successful in getting you to believe a fabricated myth!According to George V. Most of Us Talk and Think About Nutrition and Exercise as a Distant Activity to be Started Some Day! If you do not take time to stand back at your nutrition and exercise habits then be ready with a big paycheck for those hospitals bills and some loans because you will not earn when you are hospitalised.Taking care of our nutriton and fitness is one of the best decisions we can take in our life. Understanding Cholesterol Levels and Decrease the Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your cholesterol, let's take a look at what exactly cholesterol is.Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by the liver and its job is to:-? produce bile acids to help with the digestion of fat ? build and repair cells and ? produce estrogens and testosterone hormonesTherefore cholesterol is an important function of the body, but too much cholesterol in the body becomes a risk as it can clog up arteries and this can be the cause of heart attacks and strokes. Stay Healty, Eat more Fish and Seafood There are a lot of very good reasons to eat fish and seafood. Fish is a source of high quality protein, and is low in fat and cholesterol. Eating Outside Your Box One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies eating healthy is to "eat outside your box," by experimenting with new foods and cuisines and by challenging your long held notions about what to eat and when. Iceberg is not the only kind of lettuce, apples and oranges aren't the only fruits and there is no law that says you can't eat mushroom lasagna for breakfast and a southwestern omelet for dinner. Gift of Health People want to get the very best they can when purchasing anything.They research all of the alternatives and select what they feel is the best suited for their needs whether a car, washer/dryer or a pet. Unhealthy Foods: Five Sneaky Foods Revealed With the array of different diets and diet foods available to help with weight loss and health, it's sometimes hard to figure out what's healthy and what's not. Of course, part of the problem is that people have different health needs: for example, while fruit juice is often a good source of vitamins and other nutrients, some people with diabetes may find that some fruit juices have more sugar than they can tolerate. Antioxidants - Your Best Defense Against Disease and Aging Studies support the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. This is due to their high antioxidant value. Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 3) AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by evolution, how was aging chosen?Why for example at certain age animals do not die instantly and just give the room for the next generation. Nurturing is one explanation at least for human society. Not all Fats are Bad Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad for too long. Fat doesn't necessarily cause disease, and can actually cause a role in its prevention. Why Digestive Enzymes Are Vital To Good Health! Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to produce sufficient enzymes for health-enhancing digestion and proper nutrient absorption. Enzyme depletion results in improper digestion and absorption, leading to chronic disorders Malabsorption is the inability of the cells of the body to obtain nutrients from the foods consumed. Bye Bye Holidays and Holiday Eating Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and relaxing mix of Holiday eventfulness or lack thereof. Whatever it was that you did, that it most suited your moods and needs. Help Your Heart Grow I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked the car. Before I could even step out and close the door, Mom flew out of the backyard, gesturing frantically. |
home | site map |
© 2005 |