Salt

About specific vitamines, minerals or fiber, for example
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RRM
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

fred wrote:Let us know your conclusion.
No conclusion yet. Many of the metals, metaloids in Himalayan salt have no biological role in multicellular life.
Besides the ones below, some other ingredients are also highly toxic (eg Osmium, Ytterbium and Gadolinium, lethal at 100 ppm), but present at low doses (<0.001 ppm) and (/100) less toxic when chelated. Tuna fish (< 0.3 ppm) may contain 10-fold more Mercury (Burger J et al) than Himalayan salt (0.03 ppm). Some other ingredients are very poorly absorbed (eg Iridium, present in Himalayan salt at < 2 ppm, in human tissue at 0.00002 ppm). The properties of other metals, metaloids etc in Himalayan salt are less toxic (or its toxicity not tested yet), yet often irritating to the mucous membranes.

- Lithium ; 4000 ppm (naturally present in plants, plankton etc up to 5.8 ppm)
Wiki: "Lithium is corrosive and requires special handling to avoid skin contact. Breathing lithium dust or lithium compounds (which are often alkaline) initially irritate the nose and throat, while higher exposure can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema. The metal itself is a handling hazard because of the caustic hydroxide produced when it is in contact with moisture. Lithium is safely stored in non-reactive compounds such as naphtha.[97] There have been suggestions of increased risk of developing Ebstein's cardiac anomaly in infants born to women taking lithium during the first trimester of pregnancy.[98]"

- Barium ; 1.96 ppm (present at levels of 0.013 ppm in sea water)
Wiki: "Water-soluble barium compounds are poisonous. At low doses, barium ions act as a muscle stimulant, whereas higher doses affect the nervous system, causing cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, dyspnea and paralysis. This may be due to the ability of Ba2+ to block potassium ion channels, which are critical to the proper function of the nervous system.[38] Other target organs for water-soluble barium compounds (i.e., barium ions) are eyes, immune system, heart, respiratory system, and skin.[37] They affect the body strongly, causing, for example, blindness and sensitization.[37]"

- Lead ; 0.1 ppm
Wiki: "1 ppm is a benchmark in pharmaceuticals, representing the maximum daily intake individuals should have, though a prolonged intake of this level can also be hazardous to human beings[93][94]. Lead is a highly poisonous metal (inhaled or swallowed), affecting almost every organ and system in the body. The main target for lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and children. Long-term exposure of adults can result in decreased performance in some tests that measure functions of the nervous system.[89] Long-term exposure to lead or its salts (especially soluble salts or the strong oxidant PbO2) can cause nephropathy, and colic-like abdominal pains. It may also cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles. Lead exposure also causes small increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle-aged and older people and can cause anemia. Exposure to high lead levels can severely damage the brain and kidneys in adults or children and ultimately cause death."

- Thallium ; 0.06 ppm
Wiki: "Thallium and its compounds are extremely toxic. There are numerous recorded cases of fatal thallium poisoning.[48] Contact with skin is dangerous, and adequate ventilation should be provided when melting this metal. Thallium(I) compounds have a high aqueous solubility and are readily absorbed through the skin. Thallium is a suspected human carcinogen.[49] For a long time thallium compounds were easily available as rat poison. This fact and that it is water soluble and nearly tasteless led to frequent intoxications caused by accident or criminal intent".

- Beryllium ; < 0.01 ppm (naturally present in seawater at 0.0000002 ppm and stream water 0.0001 ppm)
Wiki: "The commercial use of beryllium metal presents technical challenges due to the toxicity (especially by inhalation) of beryllium-containing dusts. Beryllium is corrosive to tissue, and can cause a chronic life-threatening allergic disease called berylliosis in some people. The element is not known to be necessary or useful for either plant or animal life.[4]"

- Arsenic ; < 0.01 ppm (significant increases in cancer mortality appear at levels above 0.150 ppm in drinking water Lamm SH et al)
Wiki: "Arsenic is notoriously poisonous to multicellular life, although a few species of bacteria are able to use arsenic compounds as respiratory metabolites. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a problem that affects millions of people across the world."

- Antimony ; < 0.01 ppm (the EU limit for tap water is 0.005 ppm)
Wiki: "Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic, and the effects of antimony poisoning are similar to arsenic poisoning. The toxicity of antimony is by far lower than that of arsenic, because the uptake of antimony(III) or antimony(V) in the gastrointestinal tract is at most 20%. Like arsenic, the most serious effect of acute antimony poisoning is cardiotoxicity and the resulted myocarditis, however it can also manifests as Adams–Stokes syndrome which arsenic doesn't. Reported cases of intoxication by antimony equivalent to 90 mg antimony potassium tartrate dissolved from enamel has been reported to show only short term effects. An intoxication with 6 g of antimony potassium tartrate was reported to result in death after 3 days.[75]"

- Cadmium ; < 0.01 ppm (in rats, exposure to 1.2 ppm cadmium in rice decreases zinc levelsOishi S etal
Wiki: "The most dangerous form of occupational exposure to cadmium is inhalation of fine dust and fumes, or ingestion of highly soluble cadmium compounds.[2] Inhalation of cadmium-containing fumes can result initially in metal fume fever but may progress to chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and death.[46] Cadmium is also an environmental hazard. There have been a few instances of general population toxicity as the result of long-term exposure to cadmium in contaminated food and water, and research is ongoing regarding the estrogen mimicry that may induce breast cancer.[47]"

- Polonium ; < 0.001 ppm (1 gram of Himalayan salt contains less than 1 nng of Polonium) and from Astatine ; < 0.001 ppm (readily decays into polonium), and indirectly from Francium ; < 1 ppm (readily decays into radium or astatine)
Polonium is extremely toxic and highly dangerous, and has no biological role.
Wiki: "Polonium-210 is 250,000 times more toxic than hydrogen cyanide. A fatal dose can be caused by ingesting about 50 nanograms (nng)". ... "the median lethal dose is 89 nng." ... "The maximum allowable body burden for ingested Polonium-210 is equivalent to 6.8 picograms" (0.007 nng)
"The target organs for polonium in humans are the spleen and liver.[71] As the spleen (150 g) and the liver (1.3 to 3 kg) are much smaller than the rest of the body, if the polonium is concentrated in these vital organs, it is a greater threat to life than the dose which would be suffered (on average) by the whole body if it were spread evenly throughout the body, in the same way as caesium or tritium (as T2O)." ... "In one experiment, rats were given a fatal dose of 8.7 nng of Polonium-210 per kg bodyweight; all untreated rats were dead after 44 days." ...
"In addition to the acute effects, radiation exposure (both internal and external) carries a long-term risk of death from cancer of 5–10% per Sv (about 11 nng Polonium-210)"
"Sodium chloride has a potentiating effect on Polonium-210 carcinogenesis". Little JB et al Shami SG et al

Besides the above, Himalyan salt also contains traces (< 0.001 ppm) of Radium (highly radioactive, carcinogenic and destructive), Actinium (highly radioactive, slightly less toxic than plutonium), Protactinium (highly radioactive and toxic), Plutonium (radioactive, toxic, carcinogenic), Neptunium (radioactive), Thorium (radioactive, increases risk of liver diseaes) and Uranium (weakly radioactive, but toxic).
overkees
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Re: Salt

Post by overkees »

I believe that some of the ingredients are in fact helpful for you. I don't know how much there is in fruit, but I can imagine enough of the beneficial elements are in that too.

I also believe that during the processes in storage cause neutralisation of alot of harmful components, chelation. As is the case with aluminium in bentonite clay for example. It is in a form that is not harmful to the body because it can't be absorbed. I think the same goes for the celtic sea salt and the himalayan salt. If you research what elements are in it, it might look dangerous, if you research what molecules they form you realise it is pretty harmless and might even be beneficial to chelate other toxic components.

What I know, and what interests me most, is that the taste of celtic sea salt is 10 times better than normal table salt. Eating avocados with normal table salt is not half as satisfactory.
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

Sure, Himalyan salt also contains harmless nutrients.
But what do you think now, knowing that Himalayan salt contains a whole bunch of extremely harmful ingredients?
overkees
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Re: Salt

Post by overkees »

Everything contains harmful components. The question is whether it is a substantial harmful amount. And the question remains if it is absorbed by the body. Like alumunium in bentonite clay is in a not harmful composition...
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

Now the (possible) additives in table salt:

Wiki: "Table salt is refined salt, which contains about 97 to 99% sodium chloride.[26][27][28] It usually contains substances that make it free-flowing (anticaking agents) such as sodium aluminosilicate or magnesium carbonate.

- Sodium aluminosilicate; an (EU and FDA) approved food additive having E-number E-554 (anti-caking agents). Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (an adsorbent) may ameliorate the negative effect of aflatoxins Zhao J et al by binding them, having no toxic effects of itself Abbes S et al, and positively influences antioxidant status.Gowda NK et al

- Magnesium carbonate; is an inorganic salt and an approved food additive having number E504. Wiki: "There are no known side effect, except that it may work as a laxative in high concentrations. Magnesium carbonate itself is not toxic. Excessive use, however, may cause central nervous system depression and cardiac disturbances.[7] It is slightly hazardous in case of skin and eye contact and may cause respiratory and digestive tract irritation in case of ingestion or inhalation."

- Sodium ferrocyanide is sometimes added to salt as an anticaking agent and a food additive known as E 535. Wiki: "The additive is considered safe for human consumption.[38][39] The safety of sodium ferrocyanide as a food additive was found to be provisionally acceptable by the Committee on Toxicity in 1988.[38]" ... "sodium ferrocyanide is not especially toxic (acceptable daily intake 0–0.025 mg/kg body weight)[2]) because the cyanides are tightly bound to the metal. However, like all ferrocyanide salt solutions, addition of an acid (a hydrogen donor) could result in the production of cyanide gas (HCN), which is toxic".

- Tricalcium phosphate is sometimes added as an anticaking agent, food additive E341. Our bones and teeth are composed of calcium phosphate, mainly hydroxyapatite. Wiki: "Possible side effects after ingestion in humans are nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, dry mouth, increased thirst and increased urination". ... "It is also used as a nutritional supplement[4] and occurs naturally in cow milk, although the most common and economical forms for supplementation are calcium carbonate (which should be taken with food) and calcium citrate (which can be taken without food).[5] There is some debate about the different bioavailabilities of the different calcium salts."

- Fatty acid salts (acid salts); eg sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; baking soda, for neutralization of acids and bases), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4; primarily to lower pH, harmless to humans, but toxic to echinoderms), monosodium phosphate (NaH2PO4; pH buffer and laxative), and disodium phosphate (Na2HPO4; anti-caking and laxative), which are often used as buffers.

- Magnesium oxide is a source of magnesium and may form magnesium hydroxide in the presence of water. It neutralizes specific acids. Wiki: "magnesium oxide is used for relief of heartburn and sore stomach, as an antacid, magnesium supplement, and as a short-term laxative. It is also used to improve symptoms of indigestion. Side effects of magnesium oxide may include nausea and cramping.[7] In quantities sufficient to obtain a laxative effect, side effects of long-term use include enteroliths resulting in bowel obstruction.[8]"

- Silicon dioxide (or silica). Wiki: "Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms". ... "Silica is a common additive in the production of foods, where it is used primarily as a flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water in hygroscopic applications." ... "Inhaling (not through ingestion) finely divided crystalline silica dust in very small quantities (OSHA allows 0.1 mg/m3) over time can lead to silicosis, bronchitis, or cancer, as the dust becomes lodged in the lungs and continuously irritates them, reducing lung capacities". ... "Plant materials with high silica content, appear to accelerate tooth wear in grazing animals".... "Higher levels of silica in water appeared to decrease the risk of dementia. The study found an association between an increase of 10 milligram-per-day of the intake of silica in drinking water with a decreased risk of dementia of 11%".

- Calcium silicate Wiki: "Calcium silicate has no known adverse effects to health".

- Iodine-containing compounds are added to table salt. Iodized salt is thus table salt mixed with a minute amount of potassium iodide, sodium iodide, or sodium iodate. A small amount of dextrose may also be added to stabilize the iodine. If you think its unhealthy, simply opt for non-iodized salt.

- Fluoride salts may also get added to table salt. The practice is more common in some European countries, where water fluoridation is not practiced. In France, 35 percent of sold table salt contains sodium fluoride. If you think its unhealthy, simply opt for non-fluoridized salt.
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

Conclusion
I understand that the belief in unrefined foods may make it hard to look at the hard facts.
Just take a minute to re-read this post, listing a substantial amount of highly toxic metals and metaloids in Himalayan salt.
Then re-read the previous post about additives in refined salt.
The contrast is quite big, which leads me to conclude that if you must have salt on the Wai diet,
it is recommended to find the purest refined salt. (99% sodium chloride)
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Re: Salt

Post by fred »

Thank's for your research RRM.

Now come the questions : do we need salt on a Wai diet? Do we need more NaCl than what provide our diet (for someone who workout/perspire regularly and has no acne) ? Do we need the minerals we find in unrefined salt? (BTW sea salt has more magnesium than Himalayan salt). Why pollutants in sea salt are not acceptable while the same pollutants in fish/seafood are OK ?
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Re: Salt

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fred wrote:Thank's for your research RRM
You are welcome.
do we need salt on a Wai diet?[ Do we need more NaCl than what provide our diet (for someone who workout/perspire regularly and has no acne) ?
We may, or may not.
Consuming a lot of fruits, your diet will be relatively low in salt.
Until recently, my skin was very susceptible to salt and protein causing acne,
so i have not had any salt for over 15 years, and never had any muscle cramps,
which is a symptom of too low serum sodium levels.
But im pretty sure that is individually very different,
so that it may be sensible to add a pinch of salt to your food every now and then.
Do we need the minerals we find in unrefined salt? (BTW sea salt has more magnesium than Himalayan salt).
Other than NaCl, no.
Not if your diet is well balanced, as all the other minerals are easily provided by other foods.
4 bananas already provide half the required magnesium, for example.
Here is a helpful list: http://www.waiworld.com/waidiet/nut-foodpernut.html
Why pollutants in sea salt are not acceptable while the same pollutants in fish/seafood are OK ?
When it comes to chosing between sea salt and table salt, we have an easy choice.
When it comes to chosing between sea food and no sea food at all, that choice is much harder.
Luckily, we can also opt for consuming organic egg yolks and meat only ,
or opt for the seafood that is the least contaminated.
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Re: Salt

Post by dime »

Just came across this, not sure if there was already some evidence that salt accumulates in the skin (thus potentially causing acne via water retention).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 135314.htm
They discovered that the body stores sodium in the skin and that immune system cells and lymph capillaries (vessels of the lymphatic system) regulate sodium balance and blood pressure.
In mice fed a high-salt diet, large amounts of salt accumulate in the skin. Immune system cells (mononuclear phagocyte system, MPS) sense the sodium accumulation and activate a protein called TONEBP. This protein increases expression of the growth factor VEGFC in immune cells, which builds cutaneous lymph vessel capacity and enhances sodium and chloride clearance.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23722907
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

Thanks. I didnt have any evidence that salt may accumulate in the skin, until now.
Here's another study confirming that high salt intake leads to salt accumulation in the skin:
Machnik A et al
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Re: Salt

Post by Kasper »

However, like all ferrocyanide salt solutions, addition of an acid (a hydrogen donor) could result in the production of cyanide gas (HCN), which is toxic"
Albert Heijn (dutch supermarket) table salt contains ferrocyanide.
What if I add some table salt to orange juice ?
Would this cause release of cyanide gas ?

It is possible to buy table salt free of any additives. That may be the cleanest option.
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Re: Salt

Post by dime »

Yes you can buy unrefined sea salt, the one that is still wet and somewhat larger crystals (they add additives so it stays dry and doesn't stick). The unrefined salt has huge power of attracting water, even the humidity from air is enough, so it's always kinda wet.
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

Unrefined sea salt may contain all kind of impurities...
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Re: Salt

Post by dime »

Most likely less harmful than additives in regular salt.
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Re: Salt

Post by RRM »

I guess that depends on the additives, and on the impurities.
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