Why You Should THINK TWICE Before Switching to SEA SALT




DISCLAIMER: I am a mom, not a doctor. I am a hobby-researcher, not a scientist. Take the following information with a "grain of salt". And do your own research, too.

Sea salt is all the rage these days among real foodies. But, before you "jump ship" from using traditional table salt there is one important issue to consider.

Have you ever payed much attention to the label on sea salt that generally goes something like this, "WARNING: This salt does not contain iodine, an important nutrient". Have you stopped to think about what this means? And if it's important?

It is.


History of Iodized Salt


In the early 1920s men from Michigan and Wisconsin were less likely to be drafted into the Great War due to medical issues. What was the concern? Goiter. While goiter has been relatively unheard of in the U.S. in the past quarter century, in the early 20th century the area surrounding the Great Lakes was nicknamed the "goiter belt" due to its prevalence.

Concerned with this data, scientist and professor of pediatrics from the University of Michigan, David M. Cowie suggested a solution for iodine supplementation which he borrowed from the Swiss. The solution? Adding potassium iodide or sodium iodide to a commonly consumed substance: salt. 

It took more than a little convincing to get salt companies and the American population on board, but by 1924 Morton Salt Company was distributing its iodized salt nationally. And we were consuming it, nationally. Since then it has been rare to find salt in the American household that did not contain iodine.

Until recently.


Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency


Iodine is extremely important for proper thyroid function. The list of symptoms caused by iodine deficiency is long and continues to grow as research continues to be done. According to Nancy Piccone in her article, The Silent Epidemic of Iodine Deficiency,
Recent evidence suggests... that iodine deficiency is linked to obesity, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, and a variety of cancers. Paradoxically, another major consequence of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in older adults is hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid function), especially in women. This is the result of rapidly growing thyroid gland nodules that over-produce thyroid hormone; it can trigger cardiac arrhythmias, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting.... Compelling data are emerging that link iodine deficiency to breast cancers and high rates of fibrocystic breast disease, two of the greatest concerns of older women in the US. (Source)
Goiter is just one of many concerns with a lack of iodine in the diet. Iodine deficiency is no longer an issue from the past for many Americans. The epidemic is back. Today, just barely over 25 percent of normal, healthy adults get enough iodine to qualify as not having a deficiency. (Source) Most of us aren't even aware of the danger we are facing.


Causes of Iodine Deficiency in the American Diet 

The cause of iodine deficiency is multi-fold. While what possibly brought you to this post was the mention of sea salt, the issue is complex.


Iodine does not naturally occur in plants. We get it from the sea and from the soil. Soil depletion is a contributing factor to a lack of iodine in the diet today. As you we continue to deplete our soil through poor husbandry practices, we continue to loose the nutritional value, including (but not limited to) less iodine.

To add this is the issue of environmental toxins. According to Nancy Piconne,
The danger of low dietary iodine is further compounded by your body’s decreased ability to utilize it, the result of contamination by a ubiquitous environmental toxin called perchlorate. Originally developed for explosives and rocket fuel, perchlorate now pervades ground water and food supplies throughout the US. It’s even used as a flavor-enhancer in certain foods....Perchlorate blocks the thyroid gland’s ability to absorb and utilize dietary iodine, an effect that is of concern when iodine intake drops off. (Source)
In addition, in past years Americans have an increased consumption of processed foods and the salt used in these is unlikely to have iodine added. Additionally, when we do eat at home, the "iodized salt" itself has less iodine than is recommended. (Source) Also, when we do happen to dine at home we have a fear of salt due to the American Heart Associations warnings about salt consumption and are thus less likely to sprinkle on the much needed iodine. Add to this a new obsession with fancy salts and sea salts....

Additionally, as a culture we consume very little seafood. It seems that in a similar way that we have a fear of salt, we also have a fear of fish (or, perhaps, just a cultural dislike) due to the warnings against mercury and other contaminants. 

These are just a few factors contributing to our lack of iodine in our diet today. As you can see, switching from iodized salt to sea salt is just one of the potential causes.


Does this mean I should stop using sea salt? 


All this being said, I am not going to stop using sea salt. There are numerous minerals that one gets from consuming sea salt that do not come from iodized table salt. Plus, iodized table salt, like white flour and sugar is a highly processed, highly denatured, unnatural food.

However, if I depended on iodized salt for my iodine intake I would be very careful to make sure that removing iodized salt from my diet did not mean I was removing iodine.

There are plenty of natural food sources for iodine. Some of these include: seafoods (including fish, shellfish, and seaweed), food grown in iodine rich soil (particularly leafy greens), coconut products, black-strap molasses, and grass-fed dairy and meat.  When you cut out iodized salt from your diet, just be sure that you are eating iodine rich foods instead.



Do you use sea salt regularly? What are your thoughts?

(Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning if you shop on Amazon after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. So thank you!)

53 comments:

  1. We switched to Himalayan Pink salt instead..

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    1. Hey Jo,

      Thanks so much for commenting. Does Himalayan pink salt contain a significant amount of iodine? I was under the impression that it (like unrefined sea salt) only contained a very insignificant amount.

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    2. You can always add Kelp (powdered seaweed) to the diet. It contains iodine.

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    3. Just buy iodised sea salt problem sovled

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  2. You have a typo--"mufti-fold" instead of "multi-fold." :)

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    1. Thanks! Always looks more credible to by typo-less. :)

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    2. It's kind of funny that there is also a typo in your reply! "be" not "by" But we are all busy mommas and fast typers these days, so a typo here and there is to be expected!

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    3. Of course there is! Half the time it's autocorrect that does it.... that thing is the blessing and bane of my existence. Seriously. It actually auto-corrected "multi-fold" back to "mufti-fold" again when I went back after you pointed it out. Don't ask me why it thinks "mufti-fold" is a word.

      *Sigh*

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  3. Funny to see this today. Just earlier today I read this article and bookmarked it.
    http://www.thyroid-weight-loss.com/?gclid=CIW-ifWC5rUCFYWo4Aod_S0AfA
    from Women's Health Institute of Texas. Very interesting.

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  4. I use celtic salt and sea salt. I was wondering about iodine so it is kinda funny this showed up in my pinterest feed. Have you ever heard of painting Lugols iodine on the skin on an area the size of your palm?

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    1. Hey Linda,

      I have heard of that but have no personal experience with it. Do you?

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    2. My mother-in-law has had issues with her thyroid and iodine deficiency throughout life. She would paint iodine on her foot and it would disappear as her body absorbed it through the skin.

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  5. The easiest way to add iodine is to buy some dried seaweed, chop it fine(or powder it), and then add it to soups and casseroles. You don't need much- just a Tablespoon in the pot and the rest of the vegetables hide the seaweed flavor/texture that Americans seem to hate. Personally, I'm a big fan of seaweed salads and fish in general but some family members (like my DH) are far less adventurous eaters.

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    1. Glad to find a fellow seafoods lover! I love snacking on dry seaweed and cook it into broth regularly as well.

      Unfortunately we are a minority.

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  6. Table salt that you speak of is 1/3 salt, 1/3 sand and 1/3 glass...look it up.

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    1. Would sand and glass dissolve in water? I think not.

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    2. Interesting hypothesis... I looked it up and the only source I could find was a YouTube clip of Dr. Coldwell claiming this. There was no citation.

      If you have a link to share I would love to read it.

      Thanks!

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    3. Did I hear correctly ??? >>>>> "Table salt ... one-third glass, one-third sand and one-third salt. glass or sand scratches on the arteries and they are beginning to bleed."

      I do not know how Dr. C. did find this out. Table salt is made of 100% of NaCl and free of any contamination by glass and sand because these are not water soluble. And from where is the glas - from the sea, perhaps? Or of rock? Glass is made by people; it does not come naturally. What Dr. C. thinks is probably silica.
      Glass and sand do not enter the blood. Meaning they do not get into the blood and can also not scratch arteries (!).
      Where did this man study medicine??? Who believes then what else he says - be it good and effective or warning? And HE has cured 35,000 patients? How does that work? Let's just say, he practiced for 35 years, then he heals 1,000 patients per year. With 246 working days per year in USA he has about four cancer HEALINGS a day (!). Who believes this??? They should send him tax authorities.

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  7. Kelp capsules are one of the best sources of bioavailable iodine, they also contain an excellent supply of trace minerals as well as bioavailable calcium. Nature's Way is a good brand. I also use a drop of liquid iodine on my thyroid (through the skin) after I shower. I have had hypothyroidism in the past and am no longer on any medication. I believe kelp and other nutritional choices have helped to heal some of my thyroid issues. I don't use table salt at all. There are much better ways to get your needed iodine.

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    1. I actually sprinkle dry kelp on popcorn sometimes. It's yummy! :)

      I have never tried topical iodine but makes sense to me that those with hypothyroidism should consider it. Glad you are doing better! Thanks for commenting. <3

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  8. I would prefer to consume more sea vegetables, fish, shrimp, yogurt and cheese... all other NATURAL sources. Iodized table salt has zero nutritive value (aside from the supplemented iodide) because it is REFINED. All the minerals are killed in the process and table salt has adverse affects as you noted on health. Aside from iodide being added to table salt, not many people know about the additatives and anti-caking agents used to offset coagulation. Hence, the girl on the label standing under an umbrella as it rains. We all know how salt gets near moisture. So, here again, we have taken a good source of minerals, refined it, killed all the beneficial minerals, but we like the taste, so we just add some chemicals to keep it from clumping, and then throw in a little iodide. Salt industry is an ancient industrial giant, and pockets are lined to set this no good source of nothing in every table in America.

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    1. Ditto. Agree.

      Thanks for commenting.

      I don't eat "table salt" for the reasons you just stated, too.

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  9. Funny I just did a post on getting micro-minerals into your diet which includes iodine. We go the seaweed rout as well. One teaspoon of dried dulse seaweed has 330% of your USDA recommended daily allowance.

    While sea salt does not have iodine it does have many micro-nutrients our bodies do need such as boron, cobalt, copper, chromium, fluorine iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, and vanadium. Table salt has none of these. Here's the link if you want to learn more:

    http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/2013/02/brain-food-one-teaspoon-of-minerals-day.html

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    1. Hey Foy!

      Thanks for commenting. Thanks for sharing your post.

      "While sea salt does not have iodine it does have many micro-nutrients our bodies do need such as boron, cobalt, copper, chromium, fluorine iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, and vanadium. Table salt has none of these. "

      Yup. That's why I use sea salt and not table salt, too. :) And I won't ever go back.

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  10. Grocery store now sell iodine sea salt. Check your local stores

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    1. I have seen that! Makes sense to me that they would jump on that wagon.

      I would still prefer to get my iodine from other food sources where it doesn't need to be artificially added, though.

      Thanks for commenting. Have a great week.

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    2. interesting article and interesting comment. I'll look out for that. LOCM thanks for including info on how important iodine is and where to get it. I'm visiting from GMN linky party. KIT & Visit my blog when you have a moment. :-)

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  11. I am able to buy sea salt that does have iodine. but I've caught that by reading the label more closely

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    1. It seems like some sea salt companies are starting to add iodine as further selling point. My favorite sea salt is Eden's Celtic sea salt. A little expensive... but really good for you!

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  12. According to this, the Himalayan Sea Salt does have iodine, and a bunch of other good stuff! http://www.naturalnews.com/028724_Himalayan_salt_sea.html

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    1. I found that article, too... but I didn't see any reference or citation for there being iodine, just the statement that it did.

      The only reason I am pointing that out is because when I did a google search I got five articles saying that it doesn't have iodine and that one saying it does...

      What gives?

      Confusing stuff sometimes, the internet.

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  13. I do not think people should use "regular" table salt by any means.
    I use celtic sea salt and triple blend flakes, just combine them together in your salt grinder.
    (i dont have any of the "comment as" id's, but it feels rude posting as anonymous....;)
    Thanks for your insight,
    Shyra

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    1. Hey Shyra!

      Thanks for commenting and introducing yourself.

      I definitely avoid "regular" salt as well.

      Curious, what are triple blend flakes?

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  14. Kelp is an awesome source of iodine, and salt isn't really the issue in iodine deficiency. Most people that use regular salt are still iodine deficient a lot of the time. Kelp is natural, inexpensive, and the whole family can take it. I wouldn't be salting my babies food to make sure they are getting the iodine they need. If it isn't healthy for a child, it still isn't healthy added 40 years to the behavior, as in adults. Thanks for pointing out this huge issue, effecting tons of people in the Midwest.

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    1. I love kelp, too! I sprinkle it on popcorn sometimes.

      I agree with you that the issue is complicated and would prefer people to avoid table salt as well.... but want to make sure they get there iodine from other places, then!

      Thanks for commenting. Hope you have a lovely week.

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  15. I switched to Himalayan salt, it has so many minerals we need and for extra iodine (I have thryoid problems) I take Lugols solution.

    I love kelp too and other forms of seaweed but I also wonder about the waters it is harvested from and if they are polluted too :(

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  16. I use Real Salt (Sea Salt) and fill the jar 3/4 full and then add about 1/4 powdered kelp and use that for all my cooking, etc. You never even notice the kelp mixes with the salt.

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  17. Thanks for sharing with Natural Living Monday Jackie! :) I haven't thought in awhile how much iodine I have been getting, I think I may be a bit low. I hope you will stop by again this week. http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2013/03/natural-living-monday-17.html

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  18. I've thought some about salt and whether I need to keep iodized salt in my kitchen. After reading up on it, though, I've realized that the worst salt is Kosher salt. Kosher salt is recommended in all sorts of cooking situations, but it has neither natural minerals nor added iodine.

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  19. Hello Little Own Crunchy Mama,
    The reasons I have learned makes it superior to Rock Salt is its shape. Rock Salt is cuboid. Sea Salt is more rounded, pounded by the Sea. During the assimilation process Sea Salt is easier on the internal walls of cardiovascular system. i.e Would you drink a glass of ice cubes? No? It's water isn't it? It's the same thing isn't it? No, you would drink water, because cubes are hard to swallow. Same thing, Rock Salt is cuboid and although not hard to swallow, harder on the inside walls of cardiovascular veins and arteries. The sharp edges pits and leaves pockmark holes abrasive to the delicate fascia leaving places where inflammation, cholesterol, and adrenalin likes to build up. These of course encourage these thick clot-like soft scabs when jostled or dislodged cause stroke and heart attack.

    So I have as a rule preferred Sea Salt for years. Of course I've had my chips and other foods too... and even Trader Joes has delicious Sunflower seeds or other salted foods they don't always use Sea Salt with. I am writing them today!
    People do not fully understand that even though Sea Salt can look jagged in bulk sometimes, it isn't nearly as obviously sharpe edged as Rock Salt, and dissolves and is digested more easily on our delicate insides.

    Cheers!
    Happy Medium Productions

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    1. Apology for not typing your name correctly, maybe you don't give a hoot?

      Happy Medium Productions

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  20. Do you have a brand of dried kelp or seaweed that your recommend? Love the idea of putting it on popcorn, but have no idea what kind to look for.

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    1. Hey Tiffany! Sorry I didn't respond sooner! Your comment got lost in the shuffle.

      I sprinkle dulse to sprinkle on foods like popcorn, etc, sometimes. See it here: http://amzn.to/19Ln332.

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  21. what's your take on Fukushima's nuclear disaster, the Pacific Ocean and the 'possibility' of radiation being in ocean fish, kelp, and sea salt?

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    1. I am not sure as of yet what exactly I think about it all. I need to do a bit more research before I can say.

      What about you? What are your thoughts?

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  22. Interesting! I use mostly sea salt, but have wondered if I'm getting enough iodine. I'm deficient in practically everything else as it is, b/c my food intolerance has a very restrictive diet. :(

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  23. I haven't used table salt in years since I started reading labels. One brand I found here in Toronto had sugar added! Can you believe it? Clearly meant to make people use more.
    Our iodine levels are probably low though. Thanks to reading the comments I am going to add powdered kelp to the shaker.
    Thanks for the very informative post!
    Alice

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  24. Recently decided to transition from kosher salt to sea salt in order to get the added nutrients mentioned here. Thanks for such a detailed outline of the pros/cons of the different salts.

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  25. Great article! Thanks for sharing it at Savorinf Saturdays. In featuring it this week. :) Hope you'll stop by and link up again!

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  26. I am concerned also about the nuclear tide riding the ocean currents that happen to go from the earthquake area in Japan to the U.S.'s pacific northwest... there are some disturbing articles online about it and hard to know if the gov. is even going to tell the truth until its past too late, if this is even a problem. It makes sense that it could be, though...

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  27. I definitely prefer Himalayan Pink Salt and I have used sea salt before that had some iodine in it. I know that iodine is essential so I add sea vegetable flakes to my savory foods and it's great!

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  28. We use all different kinds, variety is the spice of life (lol) so we use kosher to cook with, regular and pink sea salt to flavor or accent with and then regular iodine salt on the table if we didn't had sea salt. But we also have a good diet of other sources of iodine so it's not a particular worry for us! Thanks for sharing the info though, I have a feeling a lot of people don't even think about why iodine is important, and as a Michigander I had a no idea about the goiter belt!

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