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Salt and Health
Salt is essential not only to life, but to good health. Human
blood contains 0.9% salt (sodium chloride) -- the same concentration
as found in United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) sodium chloride
irrigant commonly used to cleanse wounds. Salt maintains the electrolyte
balance inside- and outside of cells. Most of our salt comes from
foods, some from water. Doctors often recommend replacing water
and salt lost in exercise [see advice on maintaining hydration
for outdoor athletes such as marathon runners ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) and
ultraendurance athletes] and when working outside. Wilderness
hikers know the importance of salt tablets to combat hypothermia.
Oral rehydration involves replacing both water and salt. Expectant
mothers are advised to get enough salt. Increased salt intakes
have been used successfully to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Dramatic deficiencies (e.g. "salt starvation" in India)
or "excessive" sodium intakes have been associated with
other conditions and diseases, such as hypertension and stomach
cancer. Testing the salinity of perspiration is a good test for
cystic fibrosis; scientists suspect that cystic fibrosis is caused
by a deformed protein that prevents chloride outside cells from
attracting needed moisture. The National Academy of Sciences
recommends that Americans consume a minimum of 500 mg/day of
sodium to maintain good health. Individual needs, however, vary
enormously based on their genetic make-up and the way they live
their lives. While individual requirements range widely, most
Americans have no trouble reaching their minimum requirements.
Most consume "excess" sodium above and beyond that
required for proper bodily function. The kidneys efficiently
process this "excess" sodium in healthy people. Experimental
studies show that most humans tolerate a wide range of sodium
intakes, from about 250 mg/day to over 30,000 mg/day. The actual
range is much narrower. Americans consume about 3,500 mg/day
of sodium; men more, women less. The very large percentage of
the population consumes 1,150- 5,750 mg/day which is termed
the "hygienic safety range" of sodium intake by renowned
Swedish hypertension expert Dr. Björn Folkow. Chloride
is also essential to good health. Every substance, including
water, can be toxic in certain concentrations and amounts; this
is not a significant concern for dietary salt.
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