Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

This Functional MD Wants You To Transform Your Relationship With Salt 

Jamie Schneider
Author:
January 03, 2021
Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
By Jamie Schneider
Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor
Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.
(12/31/20) This Functional MD Wants You To Transform Your Relationship With Salt
Image by Jill Chen / Stocksy
January 03, 2021
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

Salt has quite the bad rap. Many associate the mineral with heart disease and stroke—one study even found that reducing salt intake could lower blood pressure1 (which is linked to those aforementioned health concerns). That's why we were stunned to find this little tidbit from Frank Lipman, M.D.'s The New Rules of Aging Well: "It's nonsense that salt is bad for your heart." Quite a bold statement from the functional medicine physician, one that he backs wholeheartedly on the mindbodygreen podcast.

So, why then, do we load on the extra sodium? Below, Lipman tells all. 

Here's the skinny on salt.

The reason salt earned its reputation is that it's abundant in ultraprocessed, industrial foods. "That's where most of your salt is," says Lipman. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) notes that people consume more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day—the recommended amount, for reference, is no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day2—and most of it comes from processed, prepackaged food, not what you sprinkle on at the table.

Since these processed foods are associated with metabolic dysfunction already (which is linked to heart-related concerns), it makes sense that there'd be hesitation about salt. But it's not so much about limiting the salt itself—we should take it easy on the processed junk that contains those waves upon waves of sodium. 

"If you're not eating [ultraprocessed foods], having some Himalayan salt is not bad at all," Lipman adds. "Your salt intake is usually too big because of all the processed foods. If you eliminate that, salt becomes a non-issue." Rather, focus on good-quality salt, and he says you're set: Himalayan salt is chock-full of minerals (including iron, zinc, and magnesium3), and Lipman regards sea salt and Redmond salt as high-quality as well. "If you're going to use salt, use decent salt," he adds.

The takeaway. 

This doesn't mean you should pour mountains of table salt onto your meals. ("Table salt is not particularly good for you, so why even bother?" says Lipman.) Plus, getting your fill of minerals and nutrients through food alone might nip your salty craving altogether. But if you're partial to a dash or two of good, high-quality Himalayan salt, by all means. When it comes to building a new relationship with the mineral, Lipman says it's time to focus on the quality.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Food
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.