SALT is Crucial for the Body to Function Properly

Salt, NaCl or sodium chloride is very powerful and ESSENTIAL to optimal health and wellbeing. It’s important to note that BOTH EXCESS AND DEFICIENCY IN THIS MINERAL CAN INCREASE HEALTH RISKS.

Sodium regulates the balance of fluids and electrolytes throughout the body, it’s responsible for all muscle and nerve cells transmission/signaling and the chloride component is a key part of maintaining proper pH in stomach for optimal digestion.

SALT IS ESSENTIAL, we would die without it.

Common signs of salt deficiency.

  1. Feeling tired all the time

  2. Feeling weak and/or getting muscle cramps often

  3. Dizzy sensation when going from seated to standing position

  4. Headaches, Brain Fog

  5. Stressed and Depressed

Common contributors to salt loss include consuming excessive caffeine, being in excessive heat for long periods of time and fasting. It is also worth noting that those diagnosed with hypothyroidism are at increased risk of salt deficiency because the thyroid plays a role in regulating sodium reabsorption in the kidneys.

Recent evidence is shedding new light on the IMPORTANCE OF GETTING ENOUGH SALT into our diet and the need to more thoroughly evaluate patients individually, before blanketly prescribing a low sodium diet for heart disease.

With a highly processed (pre-packaged foods, fast foods etc.) these foods have notoriously high levels of sodium, off the charts high, along with fillers and things that when eaten regularly increase inflammation and cause tremendous harm. However those who eat a whole food diet and exercise regularly are more prone to salt deficiency. There are many options for salt from black to pink, fine to rock… Generally speaking the courser the grind the lower the sodium content but there are sadly microplastics now detected in sea salt therefore, choose your salt from regions with lower marine pollution levels.

I prefer Redmond Life which has over 60 trace minerals and is sourced right here in the USA.

A skilled functional medicine practitioner can be a valuable addition to any cardiology team.

References:

Patel Y, Joseph J. Sodium Intake and Heart Failure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21(24):9474. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21249474

DiNicolantonio JJ, Chatterjee S, O'Keefe JH. Dietary Salt Restriction in Heart Failure: Where Is the Evidence? Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2016 Jan-Feb;58(4):401-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2015.12.002. Epub 2015 Dec 23. PMID: 26721179

Khan MS, Jones DW, Butler J. Salt, No Salt, or Less Salt for Patients With Heart Failure? Am J Med. 2020 Jan;133(1):32-38. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.07.034. Epub 2019 Aug 13. PMID: 31419422

Amber Barone

Amber is a Holistic RN and Functional Medicine Practitioner who supports whole body integrative health and uses primarily diet changes, whole foods, herbs along with lifestyle tools and supplements to help clients restore balance and align with their highest sense of well being.

Amber started her nursing career in the clinic setting where she built a solid understanding of disease progression and contributing factors along with pathophysiology, biochemistry, psychological and trauma aspects. From there she became a travel nurse, working in various settings including cardiac rehab, med surg, psych, long term care, ICU’s and ER’s. These ever changing environments satisfied her ferocious appetite to learn and grow through challenging and inspiring case loads in diverse settings. It was through all of this that she realized her true passion and where she could serve at her highest capacity was working with patients on how to prevent and reverse chronic disease.

As a functional medicine, holistic RN Amber strives to bring in the best evidence based tools and resources from both conventional and alternative schools of thought. She is dedicated to continuing her learning to stay up to speed with the latest research and trends and has built her practice around educating and empowering patients to be proactive with their health.

Most patients come to Amber through a referral network of practitioners in various medical and alternative settings including MD’s, FNP’s, Acupuncturists, Dentists, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Yoga Teachers… who wish to support their patients in this way but don’t have the time, education or resources to do this effectively.

The functional medicine addition to client care seems to be the missing piece of a true wellness model. It becomes a collaborative movement too, working together to promote wellness in our respective communities. It expedites healing through deep understanding and promotes life long transformation. Win! Win!

Functional medicine is a deep dive into root cause correlations contributing to one’s current state, it views each patient as unique and in so doing, more fully supports patients on their road to wellness by nourishing unique pathways effecting body systems, organs and glands. Much like regenerative farming and soil health, our bodies are designed to be resilient they just need the right inputs and tools to mitigate cumulative stress, toxins and burdens of our time. Feeling empowered with your health starts here.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

BS Nursing Montana State University-Registered Nurse

BA Psychology and Sociology University of Montana

Equine Veterinarian Technician-Penn Foster

Clinicians Mastermind Circle a one-year Functional Medicine Intensive

Functional Nutrition Alliance 10-month Full Body Systems Immersion

Yoga Motion 240 hour RYS teacher training

http://www.bar1wellness.com
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