Do you crave Butter?

You probably have a deficiency in SODIUM

What is Sodium?

Sodium is a vital metallic element found at some level in nearly everything we eat. The body needs sodium to regulate blood pressure, blood volume, water balance and cell function. It was so important historically that the Romans gave it to their troops as 'Salary' and the British planted an impenetrable bramble hedge 4000 miles long in India to control and tax salt trading. 

The first 'roads' in Britain were the prehistoric 'Salt Pathways' connecting the country with salt mines that usually had the suffix 'wich' such as Northwich, Middlewich, Norwich etc.  

Butter contains salt, and it has been documented that people who crave butter so so because of the salt it contains. 

Scientists say we have evolved from aquatic animals, that's why we have a ridge of hair down our back - a remnant from streamlining in water. And that's also why we have a ridge on our top lip, a remnant of the air seal formed between our nose and our lip when we screw our face up in the water. It's also why blood has a similar salt and mineral mix to seawater. And that's why we need salt. 

The most common combination of sodium is with chlorine, which is sodium chloride, which is table salt. But sodium is a component of any chemical with sodium in its name, plus many others, including: baking powder and baking soda, brine, garlic salt, onion salt, celery salt, sea salt, saccharin, soy sauce and the preservatives sodium citrate, sodium nitrate, sodium phosphate, sodium ascorbate and monosodium glutamate (MSG). And butter contains salt, of course. That's why it is the classic 'Body Language' symptom.

There are apparently three levels of salt deficiency in humans, and you can judge them for yourself. Those that don't want salt on their food aren't deficient, those that taste it first and then add salt are mildly deficient, and those that add salt first before tasting have a severe shortage. 

We have an uncanny knack of knowing just how much sodium we need, and should always add salt 'to taste'  Of course these are many in the first group above that would love to add salt but have been advised by Government not to, these are people deficient in sodium. To have insufficient salt intake can be dangerous. 

Are there any other Body Language symptoms of sodium deficiency?

It is possible to have a sodium deficiency resulting in symptoms such as severe muscle cramps, extreme weakness, and nausea. This is most likely to occur in people who are exercising long and hard in hot, humid weather. It can also happen as a result of severe vomiting or diarrhoea. Laboratory studies with animals have revealed that severe deficiencies in sodium can result in very specific symptoms, and finally in death, due to the failure of renal function.

Believe it or not, in spite of the current anti-salt trend, scientists still debate over whether we need more or less. What is more important is the balance between sodium and potassium. Find out more about this on the next page.

Find out why you need more salt

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