Sodium Chloride Good for Anxiety?

[sheacarney]

I got the info. below, from the benzo support group, but thought it was VERY interesting, and for any of us with anxiety, perhaps, useful. I posted a couple of months ago about my cravings, for sea salt and vinegar chips. I still eat them, almost daily, and thought it was because my thryroid was in trouble. I had my thyroid tested, and the results were normal, hence, I can only assume the choking/pressure sensation in my throat was anxiety related. Whatever the cause, it seemed the chips helped ease the sensation in my throat. Perhaps, this is why:
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"During my Diazepam taper, I was having serious problems getting enough sleep, and someone suggested that I start taking the supplement, NeuRecover-BZ, during my taper. I was skeptical about taking just about anything in view of how sick I became from taking benzos. Since the BZ formula was specifically formulated for benzo taperers, however, I figured I'd at least give it a try.

Some literature came with the supplement which suggested that it was important for people to use salt along with the supplement. The reason salt is so important, the manufacturers claimed. is that "the GABA system also requires the presence of sufficient chloride in the blood stream in order to efficiently reduce anxiety. Salt (sodium chloride) is the obvious source of chloride molecules. If you are concerned about salt and blood pressure, we suggest that you use potassium chloride. Most grocery stores carry this as a salt substitute."

Since I had blood pressure issues, I bought Nu-salt, a potassium chloride salt substitute at the grocery store, and I used it in conjunction with Neu-Recover-BZ. The BZ formula also contains vitamin C, by the way."

[Dottie]

Shea,

Thank You for the information. Perhaps that is why I have been craving salt or salted chips. You just never know about this stuff do you???

Thanks Again Love Dottie

[sheacarney]

You too??!! Very interesting. Yes, it's all I crave. Our bodies are trying to self-regulate, you think? Who knew?

Love,
Shea

[smhfly]

shea i also have that terrible choking feeling i notice that it starts first then full blown
anxiety. its horrible pressure in the back of my throat that is always my first
anxiety symptom to appear. its terrible ill have to try the salt thing

[MizzT]

so is this why i crave salt like a fiend?

[Dottie]

Shea,

You may be on to something big.

Dottie

[sheacarney]

I don't think it's a cure all, else I'd be at 100%, with as much salt as I'm consuming, but I think it does indeed help.

Smhfly, it does seem the salt lessens the tightening, in my throat, so give it a try. I don't think it'll hurt. Trust me, if I can handle it, anyone can. I've reacted to just about everything I put in my mouth. I'm big on the sea salt and vinegar Kettle Chips. They're great. I've never liked them before, but now, I don't want to eat anything else. I'm a salt fiend, like Bev.

Love,
Shea

[dar7726]

There may be another possibility for craving refined Salt....

We have just learned though listening to a portion of an audio health tape...that its a possiblity that the body is looking for the other minerals (contained naturally in SEA SALT) when you are eating refined salt.

Hence you keep eating more...or eating more salty foods...looking for the satisfaction you would get when you get the minerals from SEA SALT.

Refined Salt has all 95% of all other nutrients removed from it....

Whereas Sea Salt is full of important minerals such as: magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, sulfer, iron, zinc, copper etc…It’s a natural salt source of 21 essential minerals and many more lesser elements.

You need salt to make digestive enzymes in your stomach and to make hydrochloric acid that helps digest proteins.


Darlene

[sheacarney]

I'm consuming sea salt and vinegar chips (from Trader Joe's, an organic grocery chain). I also use sea salt, when cooking, so I assume I'm getting what my body wants. I just crave it in HUGE quantities.

-Shea

[Buxy`s Back]

shea sounds great iv been avoidin salt like the plague,cant remember y think i read it makes things worse but am deff gonna get some and see what happens a friend of mine was put on heart meds that she didnt need for 2 years and suffered terrible anxiety the hospital sed the tablets had robbed her body of salt?? i know eatin salt dont sort the problem but still seems to make sense so gonna give it a go

[elisa]

Has anyone heard of Celtic seasalt? Would love to hear something on that.
Thanks.

[sheacarney]

Elisa, I haven't read anything about Celtic Salt, although I've heard of it.

Joanne, what did they give you salt-deprived friend, in the hospital? I assume they gave her some sort of supplement. If she had low chloride, it would make sense that she'd have terrible anxiety, based on what I found.

-Shea

[MizzT]

Elisa....there are sea salts from various areas. Celtic salt provides like over 90 trace minerals and is a good balance of the minerals the body needs.

we do only sea salt now. and organic tortilla chips with sea salt and lime...mmmmm