Oh Genetic-Sea Salt

From all my reading, Caren, unrefined sea salt (not the kind called "sea salt" by American producers--which is still refined, but Himalayan or French sea salt, has these benefits related to the brain, as well as many other areas of effectiveness): it causes the brain to release  some of the acid in brain cells and that has a beneficial effect. It is not related to bipolar, per se, but it does perform that function and that is beneficial for the brain; about 1/4 teaspoonful per day is all that is required to use for all daily purposes. Too much is not good, just as too much of anything is perhaps not good for us.

One of the problems with bipolar illness is the reactions of medications patients must take to restore the chemical balance in the brain. These meds leave an acid residue when they are metabolized, and unrefined sea salt helps to eliminate this residue via the kidneys. If the body cannot metabolize the acidity within 24 hours, it just keeps circulating in the system  until the kidneys are able to completely remove it. Many patients' resistence to taking medications probably has to do with symptoms related to the acidic residue of the meds and the kidneys' efforts to remove that excess from the system.

In addition, bipolar patients often have difficulty going to sleep at night.  Drinking a glass of water and then putting several tiny squares of Himalayan or French sea salt on the tongue and letting it dissolve have the ability to cause drowsiness. Unrefined sea salt is soporific.

I no longer use refined salt; virtually all the trace minerals are lost in refining the salt, and it's the lack of trace minerals that many researchers and doctors believe to be the cause of some illnesses.

Bipolar illness is an inflammation of a portion of the brain, according to my psychiatrist (who is a Duke University graduate with a doctorate degree in psychiatry), and it causes the brain

cells to fire too rapidly.   Doctors don't know why yet, but they

will learn soon, I hope.

It is known that certain foods, such as the lemon, while it is

highly acidic in taste, is digested as very alkaline and has a calming effect on the system.  We can determine by feeling tone which foods are going to be bothersome for us and which ones will be helpful. 

I'm trying with the elimination of refined salt and introduction of Himalayan salt to my diet, along with being careful about foods which are high in sulfur-like compounds call thiols. (See a website called foods high in thiols.)

The psychic Edward Casey recommended keeping the fluids of the body in a more alkaline state than an acidic one. Unrefined salt is part of the effort to accomplish that.

You might want to continue your reading on this subject because it is an important one, particularly in relief, not only of acid in brain cells but as a helplful deterrent to allergy, asthma, sinusitis, etc.

It is known that workers in the salt mines of Himalaya are rarely

ever the victims of respiratory illnesses.

I hope this is helpful.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 4/16/2012 1:39:55 PM (GMT-6)

Well, let us know how you like it.  I've been using it enough to

know that I like Himalayan sea salt best because it seems to work

so much more effectively.  We're all different, however, so what

works for one may not work for another.

Good wishes,

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 4/14/2012 9:38:15 AM (GMT-6)

I think it's a helpful adjunct to medications, Camano Girl, and frankly, for me, Himalayan sea salt is one that I prefer. The important thing, however, is that we get the (80 some)trace minerals and enzymes missing in refined salt. The French sea salt is excellent, too, and I have that for use if I wish to switch from time to time.

I'd say it takes about three weeks for you to begin to feel its good effects really significantly.

Once you start, you realize how much refined salt is used in foods in the market place, especially in restaurants and "junk" food. It's almost impossible to avoid, so changing to an unrefined salt may also force you to change your diet somewhat to avoid refined things.

Let us know how you get along. I'm feeling better as time goes on.
And may you continue to "dance in the rain".  (I like that very much.)

Take care.

It's Genetic

P.S. I've found that "dead sea salt"  soap is very healing to the complexion. Sometimes the medications bipolar folks must take wreak havoc with the complexion.  (It's available at Vitamin Shoppe

and probably other specialty stores as well.)

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 4/15/2012 9:12:21 AM (GMT-6)