ow salt increases fat storage…
Researchers in Brazil recently studied the impact on adding salt to the feed for beef cattle. Their findings prove something farmers have known for a long time. If you add salt to grain it fattens up the animal much quicker.
The same thing happens with humans. Excess salt in the diet interferes with the liver’s ability to turn stored fat into energy, so it stores the fat in the body. One of the reasons it does this is because high levels of salt increases insulin production.
Insulin resistance problems are common in the majority of people who are overweight. Increased insulin production over time decreases sensitivity and eventually the cell receptors start shutting down. This causes the body to become flooded with blood sugar and fatty acids.
Bottom line is low insulin sensitivity will result in more fat being stored for fuel instead of being used for energy production.
So is salt bad for you?
The short answer is absolutely not. The problem is not isolated with sodium levels but rather the electrolyte balances between sodium, potassium, magnesium, and others. Sodium ions present in salt are needed in the body to perform a variety of essential functions.
Salt helps maintain the fluid in our blood cells, is used for nutrient uptake in the small intestine, and is key player in muscle contraction just to name a few. We need sodium because the body cannot produce it on its own. This is generally not a problem to meet demands.
The issues arise when sodium levels far exceed that of other electrolytes. We see this in individuals who are eating lots of processed and refined foods. When you’re not eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, you’re robbing your body of vital electrolytes that balance out sodium.