|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Elements in Sea Salt

As water flows over land in the form of rain, it drains into lakes, creeks and rivers. The water passing over materials dissolves organic chemicals in the soil and rocks as it flows towards the ocean. These chemicals concentrate in the oceans as evaporation lifts water and leaves behind the salts. Obviously, there are a lot more elements in sea salts than just sodium chloride, although chloride is the most abundant element. We can find all seven macrominerals necessary for life in sea salt, as well as scores of other minerals in trace amounts.

  1. Sodium Chloride

    • Sodium chloride plays an important role in the water balance of the human body. They are electrolytes that maintain the concentration differences across the cell membranes. Through a complicated process, sodium reacts with potassium in the cells to produce energy. In addition, sodium is involved in nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cardiac function as well as almost every other system in the body.

    Sulfur

    • Sulfate makes up 7.6 percent of sea salt. Sulfate is the inorganic salt of sulfuric acid and necessary in several biochemical reactions in the body where it is converted to sulfur. Sulfur protects the cells from pollution and radiation, and works with the liver to aid in digestion. As a macromineral, sulfur is used in just about every part of the human body.

    Magnesium

    • Magnesium is a smaller part of sea salt, consisting of only 3.7 percent. However, magnesium is a macromineral, meaning it is necessary for life. Magnesium works with calcium in the muscles, regulates bone growth and function, helps the brain function normally, and prevents depression and many other critical systems of everyday living.

    Calcium and Potassium

    • Calcium and potassium hold equal values in sea salt, ranging at about 1 percent each. Of course, calcium is an important macromineral, being the most abundant element in our bodies and necessary for muscle growth, nerve impulses and bone growth, among many other things. Potassium is equally important in every cell of the body. It regulates cell and nerve communications on every level and, without it, life would stop. Potassium is also one of the key elements in plant life.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles