~I'm Feelin' Mighty Salty...>.< !

How could something so beautiful and tasty be so bad for you?

Southwest Bolivia,world’s largest salt flats sit atop a vast pool of brine on the Salar de Uyuni.

Salt!  "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? "

So,I had my annual checkup with my new DOC 
_she reminded me that "EVERYTHING" we eat has salt & I should have no more than 1500 mg per day...that's a Hamburger & Fries_which is a treat  every six month's for me! But, that does NOT matter since any food consumption in today's world leads to far to much SALT. I've been ASSAULTED...

                                             "Salt Flats in Bolivia"

"Our appetite for salt and the meanings we attach to it have linked the ages. Salt literally gives us life, and reminds us of the origins of all life in the primordial sea. It has motivated the pious, the warlike, the superstitious and the revolutionary. It has shaped history and inspired storytellers, artists and cooks. It is a commodity, a "cure" and a medium for artistic carving. Although it is essential to many modern industrial processes, the basic methods of producing salt haven't changed for centuries — boil, evaporate, mine."

"The human body contains about four ounces of salt. Without enough of it, muscles won't contract, blood won't circulate, food won't digest, the heart won't beat. But scientists disagree over how much is too much. For years many researchers have claimed that salt threatens public health by contributing to high blood pressure. Recently, though, other researchers have begun to rehabilitate salt's reputation, claiming there's no reason for doctors to recommend reducing sodium intake for people with normal blood pressure. In fact, doctors at one hospital have discovered that a treatment for chronic fatigue includes salt supplements and plenty of pickles and other salty foods."

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/salt-abstract.html#ixzz2jhsr7vXt 


I've always watched in awe of people like Martha Stewart & Other Chefs_add salt & more salt when cooking_WHY?_when there's already enough salt in the food. I never add salt when cooking,or after cooking & always look at the number of mgs per serving of Salt,wash canned foods....BUT I guess I'm going to have to dig a little deeper. The Culprit for sure is...

I'm a Texan, I Love Chips & Salsa alone or served with...

..+Rice & Beans & a bottle of Hot Sauce on the side! Guess all the chips & salsa stuck around in my system when the Doc took my Blood Pressure _to say the least the top number was high! So, I got a scolding from my new Russian Female Doc...Love her!

                                        Nope!Not Snow..Salt Flat in Bolivia   

Salt is LIFE, acts as a food preservative,flavors foods,etc. Humans have been preoccupied with it since the beginning of recorded history.Obtaining salt either politically or militarily,has influenced the histories of countries in Asia,Africa,Europe,South America and the Middle East.Indeed, salt was used as a form of currency and had greater value than gold in some ancient societies. Even religious and magical significance has been attributed to this mineral.

                                         "Hawaiian Sea Salt from the Alaea Sea"

                                            "Indian Black Salt or Kala Namak"

                                               "Coarse Salt aka Sali Grosso"
Sodium exists in many foods that are commonly consumed in Western diets including processed sandwich meats, cheese, canned vegetables, pickled foods, salty snacks, and soft drinks. Other sources of sodium are not as well recognized: condiments, sauces, baking soda, baking powder, and bread. In restaurant foods, fast-food meals, and Chinese cuisine the sodium levels can be very high. It is in fresh and frozen Veggies and fruits but to a lesser degree. My favorite "Processed Food"_"Cape Cod Salt & Vinegar Chips"...What's a girl to do?

                                                        "Smoked Sea Salt" 

                                                             "Fleur de Sel"
BEWARE of these other salts under the names of_ potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium benzoate, and sodium acetate_ added to foods during commercial processing!!!!!

Which brings this point to consider:
" High dietary sodium intake (1) overloads the kidneys' capacity to excrete sodium and results in fluid retention, (2) increases endocrine gland secretion (3) inhibits cell membrane function, (4) increases the sodium concentration inside cells and calcium levels in the smooth muscles that encircle blood vessels,which (5) subsequently increases the resistance to blood flow and blood pressure...results in HYPERTENSION." 
Links:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/A-Tasting-Tour-of-Salts-Around-the-World.html#


 SALT..."What's a Girl To do?"

Like I said...I'm Feelin' Mighty Salty >.<!