Celtic Sea Salt is harvested in Brittany, near the Celtic Sea, in the northwest of France. Cold, active, north sea currents, large tides and other marine and climatic conditions, produce a unique mix of minerals. It is this combination of minerals that gives Celtic Sea Salt its special qualities. Common salt lacks many trace minerals because, during the refining process, these minerals are removed. They are often sold to make chemicals or dietary supplements. In order to make salt white, many sea-salt products are washed, losing valuable trace minerals. Celtic Sea Salt does not go through any of these damaging processes.
Natural Celtic Sea Salt is obtained from the evaporation of the ocean's water, simply and without artifice. No synthetic mineral supplement can equal the wealth of minerals that natural Celtic Sea Salt supplies, regardless of how rich its content or how precisely it is formulated. This is real sea salt!
In the most pristine, wild area of the French countryside, the paludiers of Brittany make salt in the traditional manner, while saving valuable resources and preserving vital marshlands. Like vintage wines, these culinary salts have their own seal of identity. The purity, cleanliness and farming methods are authenticated by a group of professional inspectors commissioned by "Nature et Progrès," Europe's most diligent and prestigious consumer protection organization.
The geographical orientation of the Brittany coastline plays an important part in the quality of Celtic Sea Salt. Ocean water is channeled into pristine ponds, edged with natural waterways, wild grasses, and other green plants. The wind and the sun evaporate the water, leaving a mineral-rich brine. The live mixture is briskly stimulated by the salt farmer. Within hours the dazzling crystals form and are gathered by hand. The salt fields of Brittany are lined with a natural layer of clay and sand, as opposed to the concrete lined beds that are used in the production of refined salt. Efflorescence from cement pollutes the salt and loads it with toxins.
Celtic Sea Salt comes in a number of forms. Flower of the Ocean --delicate crystals that can be crushed between the thumb and forefinger at the table to add a gourmet flavor to your meals. Light Grey Celtic Sea Salt -- these are the largest of the Celtic Salt crystals and are best in soups or sauces. Fine Ground Celtic Sea Salt -- ground on granite stones from the Light Grey salt and is perfect for those who prefer the convenience of having salt in a shaker.
Basic Roles of Celtic Sea Salt
Our bodies contain three internal oceans that closely resemble the ionic balance of ocean water. Each one of these complex solutions surrounds and circulates through our body:
Blood Plasma
Lymphatic Fluid
Extracellular Fluid
These fluids are very similar to sea water in their chemical composition. Humans need salt in order to perform basic physiological functions. Ocean salt contains all of the precious minerals our bodies require. These minerals make salt a vital necessity. In the salty environment of amniotic fluid the human embryo grows over 3 billion times in weight. From the moment of conception on, humans are never without need for salt.
Celtic Sea Salt is the Salt of Life!
In macrobiotic/natural diets, Celtic Sea Salt is considered to be a strong alkalinizer and to provide renewed energy. An acidic body condition is believed to contribute to many sicknesses and alkaline foods are considered powerful remedies for hemorrhaging, severe burns, physical trauma, acute infection, shock from an illness or surgical intervention, or very deep emotional stress. Salt, the universal necessity, was traditionally used for medicinal purposes, used alone as an energizer, detoxifying agent, or in conjunction with healing plants. (Mythologia Aesopi, 1501)
Precious minerals working together: COACTION
Proper electrolyte balance in the body is achieved by maintaining a relatively high potassium content inside the cell and a high sodium concentration in the fluid outside the cell (extracellular fluid). Though potassium and sodium are the two electrolytes found in greatest concentration in the human body, many other elements are required for normal physiological function. Trace elements, found in ocean water and in natural Celtic Sea Salt, work to maintain proper function of the body's systems. This unique combination of nutrients plays an important role in safeguarding good health. If any one element is left out or diminished, a link in an important chain will be missing and the whole organism will suffer. These elements work to regulate optimum body function by ensuring that our internal oceans are never shortchanged of trace nutrients.
But . . . isn't salt bad for you? (sodium-restricted diets)
Scientific research reveals that there are actually very few salt-related health problems. A healthy, active lifestyle demands a reasonable salt intake. The contention that our body can function on no salt at all or on a restricted ration of salt causes more problems than it is intended to solve! Life is closely dependent upon the presence of sodium. To clearly understand the role of sodium in blood we must examine it in combination with water and various ions: chlorine, potassium, calcium, hydrogen, etc. It is more important to study the co-activity of sodium with these other ions, rather than the sodium element alone. Often, salt-related health problems are caused by diets consisting of high quantities of refined sodium, combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Harmful, unbalanced sources of sodium include fast foods (especially French fries and milk-shake beverages), packaged sauce mixes and cured meats.
Jacques de Langre, Ph.D., biologist, is founder of The Grain & Salt Society. For a complete list of books and audio and video cassettes ask for a copy of the book and audio/video index. 800 TOP-SALT (800 867-7258)