You are on page 1of 3

consciouseating

by Dr. Rallie McAllister


SALT
OF THE EARTH

A
mericans love the taste table salt,” says Bowden. Then,
of salt, and most of us it’s vital to pick our salt wisely.
eat far too much of it.
On average, we consume 10 Tasty Treat
grams daily, the amount in two When used conservatively and
teaspoons, and double the 5 creatively, finishing foods with
grams per day recommended natural salts can make nutri-
by the World Health Organiza- tious eating more enjoyable.
tion. According to purveyors of natu-
All of this mindless salt ral salt products, these can de-
consumption is wreaking havoc liver 50 or more trace minerals,
with the nation’s health. A including calcium, magnesium,
recent meta-study published potassium and iodine, all within
in the British Medical Journal the bounds of good taste.
confirmed that high salt intake elevates blood pressure and “Good salt has a tremendous impact on the flavors
increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Because it of various foods,” explains Dave Joachim, author of The
increases the amount of calcium we excrete in our urine, it Science of Good Food and founder of Chef Salts, a line of
also tends to weaken bones and make us more vulnerable premier seasoning blends. “It can intensify some flavors,
to osteoporosis, according to research at the University of including sweet and savory, or umami, while diminishing
California, San Francisco. others, such as bitter and tart flavors. That’s why a salt rim
Although table salt contains two elements—sodium and on an organic margarita glass works so well—salt suppress-
chlorine—it’s the sodium that’s responsible for most of the es the tartness of the lime and brings out its subtle sweet-
negative effects, which become worsened by the typically ness.”
low levels of potassium in many diets. With a mind-boggling variety of culinary salts available,
“Sodium and potassium must be balanced for good choosing just the right one can be a challenge. “Each type
health. Americans need to increase their potassium as much of salt has unique qualities,” advises Joachim. “Differences
as they need to decrease their sodium,” advises nutrition in color, flavor, and texture are created by the mineral and
specialist Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., a certified nutrition special- moisture content of the salt, the size and shape of the crys-
ist and author of The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer. tals and even the harvesting methods used.”
“Fortunately, fruits, vegetables and whole grains aren’t just Each also stands in stark contrast to common table salt,
low in sodium; they’re also rich in potassium.” which is 99.7 percent sodium chloride that has been heat
We can dramatically curb our salt consumption both blasted, stripped of other minerals and chemically treated
by eating more plant foods and limiting processed foods, to re-infuse iodine content. Yes, iodine is essential for good
which account for an average 77 percent of our daily sodium health; it is important for the production of thyroid hor-
intake. Another 12 percent occurs naturally in meats, grains mones and critical for pregnant women, observes Jim Roach,
and produce. Only about 11 percent comes from the salt a medical doctor and founder of Midway Center for Integra-
shakers on our tables. tive Medicine in Midway, Kentucky. He reports that as more
“If we cut back on foods that come out of cans and people shy away from their old salt standby, “Americans are
boxes with bar codes, we’d have more wiggle room with getting less iodine than 30 years ago.”

16 Genesee, Lapeer & Shiawassee, MI


But another way to meet the workers harvest this salt from an less variety.”
body’s basic iodine needs is with natu- ancient fossilized seabed.
ral salt, as well as sea vegetables such Rallie McAllister is a medical doctor
as kelp, wakame and nori, the seaweed While savoring salt in sensible quanti- with master’s degrees in public health
used for making sushi. While remaining ties, remember that, “We eat with our and environmental health. She publish-
mindful of our overall sodium intake, eyes, too,” says Joachim. “We can ap- es as an author, syndicated columnist
we can take wide-ranging pleasure in preciate the beautiful crystal structures and co-founder of MommyMDGuides.
experimenting with many varieties of of the different kinds of salts. They’re com, a free website providing tips from
natural salt. astonishingly varied—large flakes and integrative physicians who are also
tiny grains; pyramids and delicate, flat mothers.
Salt Varieties chips. Like snowflakes, there’s an end-
Following are seven favorites that turn
up time and again.

■ Black salt or kala namak is a


pearly, pink-grey mineral
salt from India, characterized by a
strong, sulfurous taste. Non-Surgical Reverse Gravity Treatment
■ Celtic sea salt, harvested from the for Back and Disc Pain Now Available
salt flats of Northern
France, is marked by a mellow fla- Grand Blanc, MI - Relief is finally medical research,” says Dr. Morn-
vor with a hint of available for those suffering from ingstar.
sweetness; its crystals may be white, back and neck pain due to herni-
He adds, “Where spinal decom-
pink or grey. ated and bulging discs, sciatica, facet
pression therapy is limited to
syndrome, failed back surgery and
■ Fleur de sel, the “flower of salt,” is relieving pain, Spinal Rejuvenation
degenerative discs.
considered the premier Therapy™ relieves pain and also
quality grey sea salt, with fine crys- Dr. Mark Morningstar, DC is us- reverses the disc injuries so that
tals, a crisp texture and ing a revolutionary new technol- long lasting relief occurs. It’s really
a delicate flavor and aroma. ogy, known as Spinal Rejuvenation the next generation of decompres-
Therapy™ (SRT), a new breakthrough sion therapy.”
■ Grey salt, or sel gris, comes from in the treatment of spinal pain. Dr.
Dr. Morningstar has been in prac-
evaporated sea water Morningstar is one of only a few
tice for 9 years, and is currently
off the coast of Brittany, France; its doctors throughout the country now
accepting patients at the Natural
unrefined crystals are using this state-of-the-art technology.
Wellness & Pain Relief Centers in
purple-grey in color and have a The treatment allows the discs Grand Blanc and New Baltimore.
fresh, light flavor. and joints in the spine to be gently
The Grand Blanc office is located
■ Hawaiian black lava salt com- stretched and lengthened, reliev-
in downtown Grand Blanc across
prises a blend of sea salt ing pressure on the pain-producing
from the GM plant on Saginaw
nerves. Removing the pressure not
and volcanic charcoal, St., and specializes in non-surgi-
only allows the discs to reposition
prized for its dramatic cal treatment for pain, including
themselves, but also to become
color and rehabilitative exercises.
healthy and pain-free again. Each
smoky flavor. patient’s treatment is specific for his “Many of the people who seek Spi-
■ Hawaiian red or her condition. The treatment for nal Rejuvenation Therapy™ have
sea salt contains the patient is extremely comfortable tried medication or even surgery
and most patients fall asleep during with little or no results. I am very
alaea, a volcanic
their 20-minute session. In many excited to finally be able to offer
clay that cases, the pain resolves after the first these patients relief from their pain
enriches the few minutes of being on the table. and suffering,” says Dr. Morning-
salt with iron oxide star. Consultations can be made by
and gives it a distinc- “I have treated hundreds of patients
calling 810-694-3576. You can
tive with back and neck problems, many
also visit his website at
of them never saw such effective
pink color and mellow MichiganWellnessAndPainRelief.com.
results. Many patients with prior back
flavor. surgery who had no hope of getting MENTION THIS AD WHEN YOU
■ Himalayan salt, a full-flavored salt, better are now responding. Unlike CALL TO GET YOUR 1ST TREAT-
has traces of iron that other treatments, Spinal Rejuvenation MENT FREE*
give its crystals a soft pink glow. Therapy™ actually repairs the discs
Once a year, Nepali as evidenced in recently published * Excludes Medicare/Medicaid by law
advertisement
www.MichiganHealthyLiving.com March 2010 17
Gently stretch quadriceps, calves and
fitbody by Maggie Spilner hamstrings.

Lean slightly forward as you climb.


But keep your back straight and your
head in alignment.

Stair Keep your knees soft. Don’t lock

Climbing them out as you push up.

Try intervals. This is a perfect workout


for interval training, which studies like
Fast + Efficient those conducted at The University of
+ Age-defying Alabama and Southern Connecticut
State University show gets one fit faster.
Work hard, then back off a bit, then go
for it again. This comes naturally with
start at level one and move up to level stair climbing, as you tend to get out of
four, and in five minutes my heart rate
Stair climbing ups is in my target zone of 70 percent of its
breath anyway and need to kick back.
the ante of a workout. maximum, a feat I rarely reach when Drink up afterwards. This is a chal-
walking on a treadmill. lenging workout and you need to
Plus, you don’t have to trudge

W
rehydrate.
onderful walks are both away at those stairs for 30 minutes. As
relaxing and invigorating, but Wescott points out, it’s better to break Be careful going down. If you must
if you want to kick butt, liter- up the day’s 30-minute workout into walk back down stairs, take your time;
ally—building strong glutes and thighs; three 10-minute sessions. That’s because step down deliberately and carefully
strengthening your core, which helps the body builds cardiovascular endur- and use the handrails to take pressure
improve posture and tighten abs; and ance during its recovery mode. Three off your knees. People with arthritis or
stepping up to cardiovascular fitness shorter workouts deliver three recovery other painful inflammation of the knee
quickly and efficiently—try stair climb- periods, and the workout is less daunt- should avoid going down stairs.
ing. Wayne Wescott, Ph.D., renowned ing.
exercise physiologist, military fitness Neither of my stair workouts While I love walking for regular
consultant and author of Get Stronger, requires me to go down stairs, which exercise, mentally, it’s easier to tackle
Feel Younger, states that climbing stairs can be hard on joints, ligaments and some stairs to boost my heart, rather
is one of the more vigorous cardiovas- tendons. In an office building, you can than focus on walking fast, which takes
cular workouts you can do. climb up the stairs and recover while more concentration. Consider the com-
Pushing your whole body weight taking the elevator back down. Then, parative calorie burn: In a 150-pound
up vertically burns lots of calories and why not make another ascent? While person, 10 minutes of moderately brisk,
uses lots of energy quickly. I often waiting for the elevator, or any time 3-miles-per-hour walking burns about
advise flatlanders to find some stairs in vigorous exercise has elevated heart 40 calories, while 10 minutes of run-
an office building or stadium and climb rate, be sure to walk around to ease ning up stairs burns 179.
them regularly to strengthen their legs yourself back into recovery mode. Be sure to warm up and cool down
and increase their endurance. When hiking hills, it also helps to use for five to 10 minutes before and after
Although I have a one-story house, walking poles, which serves to take the any workout. And always check with a
I have found two stair workouts I like weight off of knees when going down- physician before undertaking a vigor-
to play with. On one, I walk about two hill. ous activity like stair climbing. Then go
miles on a wooded path by the river to Here are more of Wescott’s tips out and have some good-hearted fun.
a triple flight of stairs that takes me onto that prove helpful:
a bridge where I can then double back Maggie Spilner has been writing about
to my car along shaded city streets. It’s Wear good running or cross-training health and fitness for 25 years, including
my mini-Mount Everest and it really or walking shoes for good support. 17 as an editor at Prevention Magazine.
perks up the entire workout. You can save your knee joints from Her books include Prevention’s Complete
For a more steady and challenging damage by wearing the right shoes. Book of Walking for Health and Walk
stair workout, I use a Stairmaster at the Your Way Through Menopause. See
WalkingForAllSeasons.com for informa-
gym, the kind with an actual revolv- Warm up first. Walk around for a few tion on Spilner’s walking vacations.
ing staircase. The trick is to start out minutes before starting an ascent or
slowly and find a pace that you can jumping on a machine. Source: Adapted from
maintain without gasping for breath. I Stretch after a workout—not before. StopAgingNow.com.

18 Genesee, Lapeer & Shiawassee, MI

You might also like