The terms salt and sodium are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Commercial table salt comprises two ions: sodium (Na) & chloride (Cl). It’s the same salt often used to melt snow on the road. Commercial table salt is manufactured in two ways: either through solar evaporation, where seawater or other natural or artificial brines are evaporated and mechanically harvested or through industrial mining using explosives. In these mines holes are drilled into the salt face and then are primed with pellets of explosive materials. Miners ignite the explosives, creating a blast that dislodges 800 to 900 tons of rock salt in less than 3 seconds. The rock salt is scooped out, thrown in a spinning crusher, and then crushed again. Commercial table salt is chemically cleaned at high temperatures, altering its chemical structure. Most of the studies researching salt reference commercial table salt, which is critical to keep in mind, considering that the different kinds of salts have varying compositions and even different microbiomes.

Salt is only as good as the environment that existed when it was created.

Sea salt and river salt, untouched, would be pure and contain trace minerals in addition to sodium and chloride. Unfortunately, oceans and rivers are becoming repositories of pollutants, radioactive waste, petrochemicals, and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and more. These toxins can be present in sea and river salts, highlighting the need for batch-by-batch analysis for many of these culinary salts prior to consumption. Alternatively, this toxic load in water sources is why many sea salt producers are refining their salt – using high temperature chemical-stripping processes that turn it into a chemical structure that is most likely not easily assimilated in the body – similar to table salt.

Similar to mined commercial table salt, much of the Himalayan salt found in grocery stores comes from two industrial mining regions in Pakistan, where explosives are also used to open the area to be mined. Laborers bore 5-foot-deep holes into the rock face with hand-cranked drills, stuff them with gunpowder, set fuses, and run for cover. Once the dust settles, large trucks go into the mines to collect the salt. Metal grinders are used to break down the salt, and shards of metal can end up mixed in the salt. The working conditions in these huge mines are dangerous. According to Azmad Malik, a former deputy chief of the salt-workers union, scarcely a week passes without a report of a fatal accident.

Taking into consideration all of these factors, for several years we researched and set out to find the healthiest salt available. We knew that mined rock salt was the most ideal option, it was just a matter of finding a source with the most trace minerals, in the ideal ratio for human health and also the perfect structure and particular size for our body to absorb, and to use nontoxic and safe mining practices.

We found the salt that was made when the earth was pure.

The culmination of that research became our Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®. Found in a remote location high in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains hundreds of miles away from the industrial mines, this crystal salt was formed over 250 million years ago in a world with no pollution.

Photo Credit: Copyright Symphony Natural Health

It is carefully mined by hand and transported by donkey, minimizing any impact on local flora, fauna, streams, and landscape, to our facility. Here it’s cleaned, hand-sorted, and stone-ground according to traditional methods, and then packed by hand. This conscious way of harvesting the crystal salt preserves the integrity of the salt’s structure and composition. It is the only way to ensure that the trace minerals remain in perfect crystalline form, which is thought to be essential for optimal bioavailability. Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® contains trace minerals in similar ratios to human blood and in perfect ionic form that the body can absorb easily into the cells, we believe, making it the healthiest and cleanest salt available. In some ways, when salt is in its original, whole state, it becomes more nutritious and adds rather than takes away from health, like a functional food.

Unlike salt mines that primarily focus on profit and are willing to sacrifice the health and well-being of their workers, we established a joint venture partnership with the local community. This creates a small industry that delivers value-added finished goods that inject up to 5-10 times the money into the local community. This initiative results in living wages, year-round employment, safe, fair working conditions, and removes any middlemen, ensuring the highest quality and value for customers.

The depth of our partnership with the local community and the support of their schools is symbolized by our Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® logo, which is the insignia of the Royal Education Foundation in the Hunza area where our mine is located. The Royal Education Foundation graciously extends their blessing for us to use their insignia as a reflection of our connection to the Hunza people and the authentic origin of our unique salts.⁠

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® contains 84 trace minerals, including sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, iron, zinc, manganese, and others, all of which the human body needs for optimal function. There is a certificate of analysis that identifies these trace minerals. It is mentioned in the book, Water & Salt the Essence of Life: Certificate of Analysis and is thought to have the ideal structure and particle size that makes it easily absorbed by cells, aiding hydration. Although this certificate has been used by other companies to tout their salt; the only authorized use is specific to Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®.

Some salts claiming to be Himalayan are actually from Eastern Europe.

Several look-alike salts on the market claim to be Himalayan or pink salts; however, the colors vary substantially, which suggests that the content is different, too. Many salts referred to as Himalayan originate from South America, Australia, Eastern Europe, and many other countries that, in some cases, come from rivers nowhere near the Himalayas, but happen to be pink. Even in Pakistan, there are substantial differences in salts. To be safe, it’s best to confirm the country of origin of the salt on the label and ask for their own certificate of analysis.

Make sure you get a pinch of salt, not heavy metals.

Heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are found in the air, water, and soil. Increased levels in the body due to intake or the inability to effectively remove them is implicated in several types of chronic diseases, such as cancer [13]. You may not know that essential minerals, such as those found in quality salts, like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, compete with and minimize the effects of heavy metals [14, 15]. This reinforces the importance of selecting a salt source --- to ensure not only that it is devoid of appreciable levels of heavy metals, but that the salt has some level of minerals to reduce some of the untoward effects of heavy metals.

The risk of contamination from salts, whether through sea, river or mined sources is considerable. It’s the same with any food (animal or plant) or liquid (water). Even organically-grown foods are not by definition free of heavy metals, nor are they required to be as part of the certification. So you don’t know the levels of heavy metals in their food or dietary supplement products unless the manufacturer of those products actively tests for them.

This confirms that when it comes to heavy metal toxicity, it’s best to ask the manufacturer of the salt for their third-party specification and analysis to ensure that the heavy metals are within proper limits, while, at the same time, noting whether the salt contains essential minerals. With essential minerals being depleted in the soils that foods are grown in, it’s important to incorporate them whenever possible.

Along with our salt, come peace of mind

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® has been analyzed for heavy metals and essential minerals by a third-party laboratory for the last 15 years. With every single analysis over that time showing that heavy metals such as aluminum, antimony, arsenic, lead, thallium, and tin were below the detectable limit. While essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, strontium, and vanadium were present in the salt. To date, there is no evidence of accumulation of heavy metals occurring in the body by using Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® or using it to make Sole. View our most recent analysis.

In addition, one teaspoon of Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® Sole only contains approximately 478 mg of sodium, as well as other trace minerals needed by the body. This is less than 1/4 of the recommended daily allowance, which is a significant benefit as part of your low sodium requirements. This minimal amount of salt has a positive effect because it provides a better means to hydrate and have water taken up by the cells, along with supplying the full spectrum of minerals. An exception to this rule is when the kidneys are not functioning correctly. When in doubt, one should consult with a qualified health professional. As stated above, one of the best ways to reduce sodium is to avoid or minimize processed foods, which contain not only sodium, but also sugars and other detrimental ingredients for health.

Symphony Natural Health supplies Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®, the salt referenced in the book, Water & Salt the Essence of Life.

Yes, Microplastics have found their way into some salt

Environmental toxins are at an all-time high, and even remote places in the world have been impacted. Microplastics are of particular concern since they are not visible, widespread, not easily measured, yet have huge health downsides. With its widespread use in the diet, and exposure to contaminated environments such as the ocean and rivers, salt is at potentially higher risk of microplastic contamination. In one study [17], seven types of salts obtained from local supermarkets from Newcastle, Australia, were analyzed for microplastics content: table salt, black salt, sea salt, iodized salt, rock salt, Himalayan pink salt (fine), Himalayan pink salt (coarse). In general, it is thought that Himalayan rock salts are more protected from microparticles considering they are not exposed to the same level as an open-air source.

On the contrary, findings revealed that microplastics were present in all salts, with higher amounts in table salt, black salt, and Himalayan pink salt (coarse). (It should be noted that the Himalayan pink salt tested was not from our source. We believe that this in fact was likely pink river salt claiming to be Himalayan. Microplastics have never been found in our salt.) Himalayan pink salt (fine) from the same source as the coarse salt was low in microplastic fiber contamination, which led the researchers to postulate that the industrial or manufacturing setup of the salt extraction could have been the issue more than the salt itself. Therefore, it is important to understand not just the origin of salt, but how it is extracted and processed into a consumer-ready format. It may introduce more or less contaminants than the salt originally contained.

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® in both fine culinary salt and as sole stones were tested for microplastics by an independent lab using polarized light microscopy, reflected light microscopy, and Raman spectrometry/microscopy. The results indicated that no microplastics were found in either sample. View the full report here.

Even salt has a microbiome

Most natural products have a microbiome, whether from the soil they are grown in, the air they are exposed to, or even the water they come into contact with within their surroundings. Salt is no exception [18]. In one study [18], seven salts were tested from a supermarket in Spain: three of marine origin, three larger granulated salts with other ingredients, and Himalayan pink salt. Results indicated that all of them contained microorganisms, with some overlap as well as some uniqueness. For Himalayan pink salt, the finding showed that out of the salts tested, it had the highest bacterial diversity. Sulfitobacter was a predominant bacterium in Himalayan pink salt, most likely due to the environmental need to oxidize sulfites at high altitudes. In some manner, salt subjected to these types of stresses (e.g., high altitude) may result in bacterial profiles that could provide some degree of resilience through not just the mineral content, but perhaps also the microorganisms. This is a point to consider, especially based on what is known about xenohormesis and the therapeutic properties of measured amounts of environmental stressors [19].

Research

To date there have been two studies done on Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®. The first was conducted at the University of Graz, Austria in 2001, and is detailed in the book Water & Salt, The Essence of Life. The second was a double-blind placebo clinical study conducted in 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to test the body’s reaction to the ingestion of common sea salt versus the ingestion of Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® as a safe and effective all-natural mineral supplement.

2001 UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ, AUSTRIA STUDY OVERVIEW

For a complete summary of this medical study please refer to the book, Water & Salt - The Essence of Life. Anecdotally, in the Austrian test, subjects who drank water with Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® sole added, saw significant positive changes in respiratory, circulatory, organ, connective tissue, and nervous system functions. Patients also reported increases in quality of sleep, energy, and concentration levels, brain activity, weight loss, enhanced consciousness, and noticeable hair and nail growth.

2007 FENESTRA LABS STUDY OVERVIEW

This study was performed by FENESTRA RESEARCH LABS clinical study personnel onsite in Las Vegas, Nevada. The OPTIMAL WELLNESS TEST portion of this research was done using proprietary devices and methodologies developed by FENESTRA RESEARCH LABS.

This was a 30-day, 70-subject study drawn from a large population of subjects in good general health. The subjects were randomized into two groups, 50-subjects on live product (Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®) and 20-subjects taking a generic sea salt respectively. The group of 20 subjects was the placebo control. The group of 50 subjects was the Test Group (TG).

The Test Group (TG) consumed a solution prepared for them by Fenestra Research Labs staff of healthcare professionals in advance, of sole made with (Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®). Each subject in the TG consumed every morning one (1) teaspoon of the prepared sole solution stirred well into to an eight (8) ounce glass of purified water upon rising, on an empty stomach. The TG Subjects did not consume any other drink, vitamin, supplements, or food for the next one-half hour minimum time.

The Control Group (CG) consumed a solution prepared for them in advance by Fenestra Research Labs staff of healthcare professionals, a brine solution made with generic sea salt. Each subject in the CG consumed every morning one (1) teaspoon of the prepared brine solution stirred well into to an eight (8) ounce glass of purified water upon rising on an empty stomach. The CG subjects did not consume any other drink, vitamin, supplements, or food for the next one-half hour minimum time.

Baseline data was collected from each client before they were provided the product. Healthcare professionals with Optimal Wellness Test research experience collected this data. Staff consists of experienced hospital, doctor, and private healthcare professionals.

Baseline Test #1 consisted of an Optimal Wellness Test*, urine and saliva samples, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, signed consent for testing and products. These baseline tests were re-run at the 14-day and 30-day periods of this study for analysis, comparison, and evaluation.

*Optimal Wellness Test:

The Optimal Wellness Analyzer is an analytical system that applies cutting edge science to evaluate health at the cellular level. Objective testing procedures are the basis for this analysis, so there is no subjective input from the tester. A computer-based software program provides printouts with the cellular imbalances brought to light. The Optimal Wellness Test runs a combination of 39 tests run on non-fasting urine and non-fasting saliva.

Summary of Results

At the baseline testing for this study, all 70 subjects' Optimal Wellness Test numbers presented in the red zone, indicating at least 35% away from normal Wellness numbers in Mineralization, Oxidative Stress Indicators, and Hydration.

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® Results:

• • Mineralization - 58% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), Remaining 56% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range).

  • Oxidative Stress - 44% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), Remaining 56% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range).

  • Hydration - 49% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), Remaining 51% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range).

Generic Sea Salt Results:

• • Mineralization - 0% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), 16% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range), and the remaining 84% still in the Red Zone (at least 35% out of Wellness range).

  • Oxidative Stress - 4% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), 19% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range), and the remaining 77% still in the Red Zone (at least 35% out of Wellness range).

  • Hydration - 6% in the Green zone of Wellness (within 5% of normal range), 13% in the Yellow Zone of Wellness (within 15% of normal range) and the remaining 81% still in the Red Zone (at least 35% out of Wellness range).

In conclusion, the salt of the earth may be the salt of life

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® was shown to be a highly effective product for the normalizing of mineralization in the human body. It has also shown to be effective in helping to stabilize pH and oxidative stress numbers in the human body. Hydration indicators showed an average of ten percent increase over the course of this study.

Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^® has not demonstrated any adverse side effects or organ system involvement, contraindications, or interactions with any food or drug, allowing the product to be used for extended periods of time. The time course and strength of its effects make it a viable alternative to common sea salt.

This combined research on Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®, which is often mistakenly quoted as valid for all Himalayan Salt, showed that Original Himalayan Crystal Salt^®:

• • Provides electrolytes to support conductivity and cellular communication*

  • Supports hydration into your cells*

  • Supports acid-alkaline balance*

  • Supports a properly functioning metabolism*

•  

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Mayne, S.T., R.A. McKinnon, and J. Woodcock, Reducing Sodium Intake in the US: Healthier Lives, Healthier Future. Jama, 2021. 326(17): p. 1675-1676.

2. Dmitrieva, N.I., et al., Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. EBioMedicine, 2023. 87: p. 104404.

3. DiNicolantonio, J.J. and S.C. Lucan, The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease. Open Heart, 2014. 1(1): p. e000167.

4. Mente, A., M. O'Donnell, and S. Yusuf, Sodium Intake and Health: What Should We Recommend Based on the Current Evidence? Nutrients, 2021. 13(9).

5. O'Donnell, M., et al., Salt and cardiovascular disease: insufficient evidence to recommend low sodium intake. Eur Heart J, 2020. 41(35): p. 3363-3373.

6. Rust, P. and C. Ekmekcioglu, Impact of Salt Intake on the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Hypertension. Adv Exp Med Biol, 2017. 956: p. 61-84.

7. Fujita, T., Recent Advances in Hypertension: Epigenetic Mechanism Involved in Development of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension. Hypertension, 2023. 80(4): p. 711-718.

8. Powles, J., et al., Global, regional and national sodium intakes in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis of 24 h urinary sodium excretion and dietary surveys worldwide. BMJ Open, 2013. 3(12): p. e003733.

9. Preuss, H.G., et al., Blood Pressure Regulation: Reviewing Evidence for Interplay Between Common Dietary Sugars and Table Salt. J Am Coll Nutr, 2017. 36(8): p. 677-684.

10. Verma, S., et al., Plasma renin activity predicts cardiovascular mortality in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study. Eur Heart J, 2011. 32(17): p. 2135-42.

11. Gonzalez, M.C., et al., Enduring direct association of baseline plasma renin activity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive patients. Am J Hypertens, 2011. 24(11): p. 1181-6.

12. Sacks, F.M., et al., A dietary approach to prevent hypertension: a review of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Study. Clin Cardiol, 1999. 22(7 Suppl): p. Iii6-10.

13. Jaishankar, M., et al., Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol, 2014. 7(2): p. 60-72.

14. Peraza, M.A., et al., Effects of micronutrients on metal toxicity. Environ Health Perspect, 1998. 106 Suppl 1(Suppl 1): p. 203-16.

15. Chowdhury, B.A. and R.K. Chandra, Biological and health implications of toxic heavy metal and essential trace element interactions. Prog Food Nutr Sci, 1987. 11(1): p. 55-113.

16. Fayet-Moore, F., et al., An Analysis of the Mineral Composition of Pink Salt Available in Australia. Foods, 2020. 9(10).

17. Kuttykattil, A., et al., Consuming microplastics? Investigation of commercial salts as a source of microplastics (MPs) in diet. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023. 30(1): p. 930-942.

18. Satari, L., et al., Beyond Archaea: The Table Salt Bacteriome. Front Microbiol, 2021. 12: p. 714110.

19. Tian, J.J., et al., Counteracting health risks by Modulating Homeostatic Signaling. Pharmacol Res, 2022. 182: p. 106281.