Vitamin Supplements

Salt

Sodium and chlorine are both very powerful substances when they are alone. When combined they form a useful combination called sodium chloride. This is ordinary table salt. Without sodium chloride in our bodies, we could not live. This salt is necessary in maintaining the normal acid-base balance of the body. This is good news, for most of us like a little salt with our food.

Some people, however, are inclined to use far too much salt. They pour it on their foods, completely covering the natural taste. This is not wise. That excess salt may be a factor in raising a person’s blood pressure. It may also put an extra burden on the kidneys and other organs of elimination. This in turn increases the work of the heart. The sensible person will be moderate in the use of salt.

When there is too much sodium in the body, the tissues become swollen. This may be first noticed in the legs and ankles. Eventually the whole body may be involved unless the salt is eliminated. In lowering the blood pressure, the body must first get rid of the excess sodium in the tissues. Today there are fine medicines available for this purpose, so that one does not have to try to live on a low sodium diet. Chlorothiazide is very valuable in removing excess sodium from the body. This helps to lower the blood pressure and also to remove the excess fluids from the tissues.

Extra Salt Sometimes Needed

There are times when one may have too little sodium, such as during hdavy exercise and in very hot weather. The extra perspiration carries out too much sodium. Painful muscle cramps may then occur. A little salt will quickly relieve this condition. Most of us, however, obtain all the sodium that we need from our foods. But during hot weather it may be well to take a little extra salt, especially during heavy exercise.

Preserving Your Minerals

The most important advice concerning minerals is to be sure you do not lose them from your food. Many minerals are lost in the kitchen by soaking the foods too long. They are also lost when the water in which the foods are cooked is thrown away. Other minerals and vitamins are lost from the diet by too vigorous peeling and scraping. In many foods the minerals are either in the skin or just underneath. People who are wise will avoid this wasteful handling of food.

The longer the food is cooked, the greater the loss is likely to be. To hold your minerals, use as little water as possible. Pressure cookers are useful in this respect, but exact timing is very important. Don’t be careless in the way you cook your foods. Use the water for soups and other purposes. Minerals are indispensable. Save them and keep your family’s vitality at the peak of perfection. These simple rules may save you many dentists’ and doctors’ bills.

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