Salt Cure for Stomach Acid

For the last thirty years or so, salt has been demonized as the cause for hypertension and the medical community has succeeded in frightening a large number of people to severely limit their intake of this vital mineral. The fact is, our bodies need salt in order to perform a wide range of functions, including producing enough stomach acid to digest food.

Stomach Acid 101

Betaine hydrochloric acid, or stomach acid, is a necessary secretion that helps you digest the food you eat; especially proteins. The level of acid production can change depending on what you normally eat as well as due to health conditions, stress, age and other factors. Some people overproduce stomach acid because they eat a lot of red meat and other things that let their body know this acid will be needed in large quantities for successful digestion. If overproduction is a problem, your physician may prescribe medication to reduce it. You can also change your diet to include more vegetables and fruits, and avoid overeating meat and fried foods.

Low Acid

The symptoms of low stomach acid can be the same as those of high acidity: burning sensation after eating and heaviness in the stomach. Low acidity can be caused by a deficiency of salt. Salt is a necessary component of hydrochloric acid production. If you have these symptoms, you should see your doctor to determine whether they are due to over or under production of HCI. This is often a missed diagnosis, so bring up the possibility of low stomach acid before you simply start taking acid reducers or you can make your problem worse.

Other Problems Caused by Salt Deficiency

Salt deficiency can also result in edema (swelling), fatigue and sometimes confusion. Rather than severely limit sodium intake, it's better to increase water intake. If your body perceives that you are not taking in enough salt to function well, your body will attempt to retain the salt which results in edema and water retention. Enough salt and enough water are absolutely necessary to the proper function of your metabolism.

Not All Salt is Worth Its Salt

Salt as we encounter it in Western society is simply sodium chloride. This isn't really salt in its best form because it has been processed and heated to make it white and pretty rather than nutrient rich. Salt in its pure form contains at least eighty trace minerals that are good for your body. Rather than raising blood pressure, reasonable quantities of minimally processed sea salt can actually help lower blood pressure. This is because it provides you with potassium, calcium, magnesium and other helpful minerals. Studies have shown that increasing calcium intake actually lowers blood pressure better than lowering sodium intake (Dr. David McCarron, Oregon Health Sciences University, 1991-quoted in New York Times article "Hypertension Research Challenges Role of Salt," Elisabeth Rosenthal).

Considerations

Some people are sensitive to sodium and should watch their intake. This can be determined by your health care provider.