Book Review | Salt: Your Way to Health

Author Dr. David Brownstein | Review by the Bioregulatory Medicine Institute

Salt: Your Way to Health by Dr. David Brownstein is a concise and accessible book that challenges long-standing medical advice about salt consumption. Brownstein, drawing on both scientific research and clinical experience, argues that salt—especially unrefined sea salt—is a vital, misunderstood nutrient essential for human health.

Key Themes and Arguments of Salt Your Way to Health

• Refined vs. Unrefined Salt: Brownstein meticulously distinguishes between refined table salt and unrefined sea salt. Refined salt, he explains, is stripped of its natural minerals, bleached, and often contains additives, making it a poor nutritional choice. In contrast, unrefined sea salt retains a wealth of trace minerals—up to 80 or more—that are essential for optimal body function. He identifies three main forms of salt: pure unrefined sea salt (about 85% sodium chloride and 15% minerals), partially refined white sea salt (with most minerals removed), and highly processed commercial salt (almost pure sodium chloride with additives).

  
  

• Health Consequences of Salt Deficiency: The book’s central message is that many people are not consuming enough salt, leading to dehydration and a cascade of health issues. Brownstein links insufficient salt and water intake to thicker blood (increased viscosity), reduced metabolic function, fatigue, frequent colds and flus, and a host of other ailments. He contends that the prevailing belief—salt raises blood pressure and should be minimized—is a gross oversimplification and questions how such a narrative became so widespread.

  
  

• Benefits of Unrefined Salt: Brownstein presents case studies and physiological explanations to show how unrefined salt can help with conditions such as adrenal and thyroid disorders, blood pressure regulation, immune function, and more. He asserts that unrefined salt supports hydration, balances pH, and provides minerals critical for metabolic and immune health.

  
  

• Critique of Low-Salt Diets: The book challenges the idea that low-salt diets are universally beneficial, suggesting that such diets can cause mineral deficiencies and worsen health for many individuals.

  
  

• Practical Recommendations: Brownstein offers straightforward, practical advice—drink enough water and use unrefined sea salt in moderation. The book’s simplicity and directness make it approachable for readers without a medical background.

Salt: Your Way to Health is a thorough, insightful, and user-friendly guide that invites readers to reconsider the role of salt in their diet, focusing on the unique benefits of unrefined sea salt. Ultimately, Salt: Your Way to Health provides a refreshing, evidence-based perspective that empowers readers to make informed choices about one of the most fundamental nutrients in the human diet.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the direct care of a qualified health practitioner who oversees and provides unique and individualized care. The information provided here is to broaden our different perspectives and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.