Well, the American Heart Association says excess salt (sodium) increases the risk of:

1.  High blood pressure

2.  Heart and vascular problems

3.  Stroke

4.  Kidney disease

Higher sodium levels make the body hold onto fluid.  Fluid retention. Have you had swelling in the feet and legs?  The kidneys may not be able to get rid of the fluid in the body tissues, because of too much salt.  This fluid retention can also give you:

1. Shortness of breath

2. Swelling in the legs and feet

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

How much salt should I eat?

We need very little.  It is recommended for most of us, that we need less salt in our diets.

Currently, according to a recent report, here is the salt intake in America:

Men – 7800 to 11,800 milligrams of salt a day  (4 to 6 teaspoons)

Women – 5800 to 7800 milligrams of salt a day (3 to 4 teaspoons)

Question — Do you want to guess how much salt we need?

Answer — Less than 2,300 milligrams of salt a day — that is less than 1 teaspoon a day! 

Actually, the average adult would do fine with only one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of sodium chloride (salt) per day.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Why do I need salt?

Salt is Sodium Chloride (NaCl) — Sodium (Na) and Chloride (Cl)

Sodium is a mineral that is important to your body:

1.  Helps to regulate fluid flow into and out of your cells (here’s where blood pressure comes in)

2.  Helps the muscles to contract

3.  Helps maintain joint health

You may want to utilize what I use — Gourmet Original Himalayan Sea Salt, with 84 minerals – if you want to be sure to have more of all the minerals your body needs.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach