According to…Mikio Sankey in Support the Mountain, “People diagnosed with arthritis, or those with stiffness and pain in the joints, need organic sodium, but not table salt” (151). Table salt is the familiar Sodium Chloride (NaCl). Chemically speaking, organic sodium simply is sodium (Na). Organic sodium is important for the life of cells and the lymphatic system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the joints of the body (150,153). In fact, when organic sodium is not being ingested in sufficient amounts, health issues can arise, for there isn’t enough “organic sodium in solution in the blood to prevent the body from leeching calcium out of the bones. The first place the blood will usually start to leech calcium from the body is from the jawbones” (152). The next target is usually the spine, and then the joints (152). Sankey writes, “If the blood is still trying to balance its pH level by needing to leech more calcium, then eventually that person will develop arthritis or bone problems such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis” (152). How many health care practitioners advise ingesting organic sodium as prevention and remedy to health problems?
Organic Sodium has to be, as Sankey says, “very refined and is found in organic greens, celery and carrots” (150). So, when your doctor says for you to ingest no salt, it most likely is not organic sodium to which he or she is referring, for it is difficult to have youth, vitality, and life without organic sodium, nature’s fountain of youth.
“Organic sodium is an alkaline biochemical mineral,” writes Sankey (151). Sufficient amounts are needed in order for the blood to “retain a healthy alkaline pH level,” and the unused sodium can be stored in the stomach (151,149). In bodily secretions, sodium is in greater quantities compared to organic potassium which is greater within a cell’s wall (150). If you don’t ingest organic sodium and leave your body deprived, then health issues will surely await you. As Sankey writes, “All cases of arthritis indicate a lack of organic sodium in the body” (151). Pain and stiffness in the joints, a “lack of openness in life,” and “not being willing to view all options in front of you” are easily prevented with the regular ingestion of organic sodium (151).
As most people age, rigidity in the body may become noticeable. What about the stubborn, rigid thinking? Sankey states that, “flexibility is also associated with the mind and how expansive and receptive we are to new or different views and ideas of life” (150). Organic sodium allows for “expansiveness of thought” as well as physical flexibility, thus truly assisting people with feeling and appearing younger (150). After all, Sankey says, “Flexibility is associated with youth and youthful spirit” (150).
Organic sodium is not the only sodium the body requires, in Sankey’s opinion. He says, “I personally feel that the physical body needs small quantities of high quality salts for optimum health. The blood and most of the fluids in the body contain some level of salt” (152). Sankey is not referring to commercial salts and sea salts purchased in the average store (152-3). He says, “Commercial salts are devoid of any beneficial minerals or trace minerals. Commercial salts are bleached, excessively heated to a very high temperature, and have very little nutritional value except for tasting salty” (153). Many people are under the impression that regular, white, sea salt is beneficial. However, sea salt lacks the important trace minerals and electrolytes of the higher quality salts such as the gray Celtic or the pink Himalayan salts (153). Moreover, commercial salts “can be detrimental to the human body when taken in excessive amounts” and also contain additives to make the salt flow from the shaker (152-3). If the salt you use attracts moisture and becomes clumpy when left uncovered, that’s a good sign that you most likely are using a high quality salt.
Celtic or Himalayan are two high quality salts. When cooking with either of these salts, do not add the salt until the food has been removed from the heat. Sprinkle it on just before serving, because heating high quality salts will destroy many of the valuable trace minerals (153). Avoiding excess heat also goes for the organic sodium found in your fruits and vegetables. As Sankey says, “Raw foods have more life force and have enzymatic activity” (154). While consuming fresh and raw foods ensure that more of its natural, important qualities, like organic sodium, are still potent, slightly steaming vegetables is alright. Sankey says, “To obtain organic sodium through your foods, eat organic, slightly steamed or raw okra and especially freshly squeezed organic celery juice” (151). He goes on to warn, “Most of the store bought fruits are picked immaturely, so they will be lacking in the quality and quantity of organic sodium needed” (151). An apple or apricot tree, a carrot garden, and a strawberry patch, are all ideas for your backyard, so you can enjoy organic sodium in freshly picked foods.
Don’t fool yourself. You can ingest an excess amount of table salt and salt within processed, packaged foods and still be deficient in organic sodium. Fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, or “fast food” and medically prescribed drugs, the choice is yours. The outcome is yours. What you ingest today will decide if nature’s fountain of youth is with you tomorrow, or not.
For more information, Please read Mikio Sankey’s Esoteric Acupuncture Volume V, Support the Mountain: Nutrition for Expanded Consciousness.