Have you ever head of Himalayan salt? The health benefits are impressive. Did you know that you might already be using Himalayan salt? I bet you’ve heard of Pink Himalayan Salt. You may be using it already. So, what is the big ‘to do’ about Himalayan salt? Is one type of Himalayan salt better than another? I could only find two research articles on the benefits of Himalayan salt. It seems that more studies should be done.

The first was conducted at the University of Graz, Austria in 2001, and is detailed in the book Water & Salt, The Essence of Life.

The second was a double-blind placebo clinical study was conducted in 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The intent was to test the body’s reaction to the ingestion of common sea salt versus the ingestion of Original Himalayan Crystal Salt. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Original Himalayan Crystal Salt as a safe and effective all-natural mineral supplement.

The conclusion of the study:

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt was shown to be a highly effective product for the normalizing of mineralization in the human body. It has also shown to be effective in helping to stabilize pH and Oxidative Stress numbers in the human body. Hydration indicators showed an average of ten percent increase over the course of this study.

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt has not demonstrated any adverse side effects or organ system involvement, contraindications, or interactions with any food or drug, allowing the product to be used for extended periods of time. The time course and strength of its effects make it a viable alternative to common sea salt.

Having said this…..

What is Pink Himalayan Salt?

Himalayan salt is a unique salt that comes from salt mines 5,000 feet below the Himalayan Mountain Range. This salt is classified as rock salt or halite, which comes from the Punjab region of Pakistan about 190 miles from the Himalayas. The salt is believed to be a product of the dried remnants of the original, primal sea. Now that’s old!

Himalayan salt is about 4 billion years old and is thought to have formed during the creation of the earth. Because of the pressure of the earth on the salt, 5,000 feet deep, the salt is considered to be 99% pure.

Himalayan salt’s colors are pink, white or red. As with other foods, the richer the color, the better the mineral content. Himalayan salt is chemically sodium chloride (NaCl), which is defined as a mineral substance. It is important in the health of humans and animals. Salt is essential for maintaining healthy functioning of the body’s cells, nerve conduction, digestion, as well as the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of waste products. Himalayan salt is said to have between 60 to 84 trace minerals.

What is the difference between Himalayan salt and ordinary table salt?

Himalayan salt is the more pure form of salt and the best Himalayan salt is mined by hand. On the other hand, ordinary table salt is heavily processed and the processing of the salt destroys the minerals that were in the salt. Ordinary table salt is typically 97.5 percent to 99.9 percent sodium chloride. However, a high-quality unrefined salt like Himalayan sea salt is only about 87 percent sodium chloride.

As a result of the processing with ordinary table salt, sodium is the only ingredient left. Some companies add iodine plus there are dangerous anti-clumping agents added to the salt. Many commercial table salts also undergo a bleaching process and they contain aluminum derivatives and other ingredients known to be highly toxic to human health. Remember, aluminum is believed to contribute to the different dementias.

Why would we want to add yet another toxic food to our diet?

What are the health benefits of Himalayan salt?

The most noted health benefits of Himalayan salt include:

1. Himalayan salt shows an improvement in respiratory function. The Lung Institute research shows that salt is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, loosens excessive mucus and speeds up mucus clearance, removes pathogens in the air like pollen, and decreases IgE level (immune system oversensitivity).
2. It helps to balance your body’s ph levels. When your pH has a healthy acid-to-alkaline ratio, it makes an important difference in your overall health. A proper pH helps foster your immunity, encourages good digestion and has an effect on your blood pH.
3. Himalayan salt is beneficial in the digestion of food. The Himalayan salt stimulates the peristalsis of the digestive organs, balances the stomach acid, supports the production of digestive fluids in the liver and pancreas, regulates the metabolism and harmonizes the acid-alkaline balance.
4. Purifies the air. Himalayan salt lamps are known to improve air quality inside your home or office. Himalayan salt lamps attract water vapors to it as well as air pollutants. The water vapor evaporates due the lamp’s heat, but the dust and allergens remain in the salt instead of getting into your body. That’s pretty cool isn’t it?
5. Himalayan salt can enhance better sleep. But, how can that be, you say? There was research done in 1989 showing that a low-sodium diet can cause disturbed and irregular sleep patterns. Dr. Michael V. Vitiello, the director of the Sleep and Aging Research Program at the University of Washington in Seattle, keenly points out, “low levels of sodium in the blood cause blood volume to decrease, and the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active in order to compensate. That causes sleepers to wake up more often and have difficulty going back to sleep.” (Michael V. Vitiello, PhD is an internationally recognized expert in sleep, circadian rhythms and sleep disorders in aging. His NIH funded research focuses on the causes, consequences and treatments of disturbed sleep, circadian rhythms and cognition in older adults. He is the author of 450+ scientific publications.)

There are additional health benefits resulting with the use of Himalayan salt. In summary, the benefits affect every aspect of life including; aiding in balancing the water levels in the body, to the prevention of leg cramps, to heart health, and to improved libido. That’s rather sexy!

As with any salt, you don’t want to over use Himalayan salt. Keep it stored in an airtight container. The benefits are many do to the high mineral content.

There are many brands of Himalayan salt on the market. As with any product you don’t want to go the cheap route. You get what you pay for. Do your research, but in my research I found that The Spice Lab Himalayan salt is rated the best. You can get a two pound bag for around $7.55.

Enjoy the ‘salt of the earth’ and its benefits with Himalayan salt.