The Salt Fix

Why Experts Got It All Wrong - and How Eating More Might Save Your Life

By: Dr. J. DiNicolantonio

Narrated by: Qarie Marshall

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

We all know the dangers of sugar and salt: but the danger attributed to the second white crystal has more to do with getting too little of it, not too much. Too little salt can shift the body into semi-starvation mode, causing insulin resistance, and may even cause twice as much fat to be absorbed for every gram that's consumed.

Too little salt in certain populations can also actually increase blood pressure as well as resting heart rate. In order to hydrate and nourish our cells, transmit nerve signals, contract our muscles, ensure proper digestion and breathing, and maintain proper heart function, we need salt.

In this book, a leading cardiovascular research scientist and doctor of pharmacy overturns conventional thinking about salt and explores the little-understood importance of it, the health dangers of having too little, and how salt can actually help you improve sports performance, crush sugar cravings, and stave off common chronic illnesses.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Dr. James DiNicolantonio (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Excellent Book

The Salt fix sold me on the importance of salt. However, it just confirmed what I had been doing most of my life - adding more salt at the table. I love salt and now that i have read this book, I feel much better knowing I wasn't doing any harm to my body.

The book presents research study after research study on why low salt does not lower High Blood Pressure in MOST people. The author just keeps repeating himself over and over (and over) again that salt is not bad. Two big things I learned from reading this book is 1.) History of low salt diet - based on Bad research and interpretation of results (just like low Cholesterol). 2. The body gets rid of the extra salt in your body you don't need.

The author gets tired of saying "low salt is bad for you" so he goes on to Sugar as the Bad Guy, Which most of us all ready know. But wait isn't this book about salt? Why go into so much depth about Sugar?

There is so many research studies presented in this book, that it's overwhelming. If i could just point to One Guy as being the driver for low salt diet, I could use this in explaining to people why salt is not bad for you. Kind of like the Ancel Keys of the Low Cholesterol/Saturated Fat craze. But i can't.

Instead, i go around telling people: "I just read this book that's called The Salt Fix and it says that salt is not bad for you because the research information used to come up with the Low Salt Diet is misinterpreted and faulty." They will just look at me and say: "Here goes another Conspiracy Theory". I can't tell people to add salt to their food when i can't explain why except tell them to read the book.

I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say. This book is not a keeper, Read and return.

Eye-Opening & Important

Somehow, the obvious reasons for my intense cramps after going HFLC were lost on me. No longer. Already enjoying the benefits of reaffirming this ancient knowledge. And, in more ways that just during exercise.

In the beginning

I love the book, but the first couple chapters about being a fish and turning into a human is unwise. It's a surprise how a person can be so wise in one thing and so unwise in an other. I just skip the first two chapters.

Salt is good food

It was refreshing to hear that its ok to listen to the salt craving my body is telling me

Excellent !!!

Very informative, a lot of scientific facts. Recommended if you want to change your health

Mind blowing

Always was told salt was the bad guy. Can’t always trust the big boys in medicine.

Very informative

The facts in this book are life changing. Very well presented and well read. I recommend this book to everyone.

Nice view of single point of a multifacited issue

I'm going to point out a couple of things the author states, either in the introduction or chapter one. For starters, Dr. DiNicolantonio states that there is salt "set point" for humans and that no matter where you go in the world, most people get between 3000 - 4000 milligrams of salt per day. Secondly, he derides the author of the Rice Diet, when the diet lowered blood pressure in its followers, for not taking into account all the other factors of the diet (fiber, potassium, etc.).

As for his first point, a quick DuckDuckGo of the average sodium intake in America, the Mayo Clinic states it as: the average American gets about 3,400 mg of sodium a day. That said, the average American falls squarely within the salt "set point" that the rest of the world falls into, as according to Dr. DiNicolantonio. It is only some edge cases that are probably getting too little sodium. Granted, it is a serious problem for older people on blood pressure medications and athletes who lose a lot of sodium through sweating, but most people in America are getting enough salt.

At first glance, this may sound funny, but the human body runs off of electricity. It is true, however. Your brain waves are electrical and the only reason your heart beats is because an electrical current tells it to. This electric current is generated by cells exchanging sodium and potassium (a few other electrolytes are involved in the process, but sodium and potassium are two of the main ones).

Now, as far as Dr. DiNicolantonio's second point about not taking all factors into consideration and just focusing on salt. While the average American gets plenty of salt, a quick search will point out that nine out of ten Americans are not getting enough potassium. Experts say that the amount of potassium people need is in the same range of sodium requirements. Dr. DiNicolantonio mentions potassium in his book maybe three or four times.

I'm not saying it is a bad book. I rather enjoyed it. I learned a few new things, as well. I just think people should really pay attention to Dr. DiNicolantonio's recommendation to not get caught up focusing on a single element, in a multi-factorial situation. In this age of rising Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases, the fact that nine out of ten people in America are deficient in one of the main electrolytes that generates energy in body, this should raise a few eyebrows. If you are serious about your health, don't get caught up on just sodium and think it is going to fix all of your problems.

I'm going to throw out another book here that I found very helpful, even though it is probably a little less scientific: Eat for Heat: The Metabolic Approach to Food and Drink, By: Matt Stone

Mr. Stone does explain what drinking too many fluids does to our sodium levels much better than Dr. DiNicolantonio does.

And finally, I would like to point this out. I've worked out almost every single day for going on seven years or more. At this time I have over 9000 logged miles between running, biking, my rowing machine and walking. I try and lift weights on a weekly basis. If you have to eat a teaspoon full of salt before a workout to keep from absolutely falling apart during your workout, YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY GO SEE A DOCTOR. Don't walk, RUN to the doctor's office. This is not normal in any shape, form, or fashion. (The only exception to that is, some endurance sports where you are drinking excessive amounts of fluid and diluting your sodium levels). To have to eat a teaspoon full of salt before going to the gym to lift weights, however, no. You have a serious medical problem if that is the case.

Fantastic

great detail you will not find anywhere else with full explanation of why salt is good and how to implement into your life

loved it!

Everyone should read this eye opening and healthful book and get some Redmond Salt too!