Trace Minerals Content: Understanding the Benefits in Natural Salt and Clay
Introduction
Trace minerals are essential micronutrients that play a vital role in supporting overall health, even though they are required only in small amounts. Natural products like unrefined salt and bentonite clay are rich sources of these trace minerals, offering a spectrum of health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition. This page explores the trace mineral content found in Redmond Real Salt and Redmond Clay, their bioavailability, safety, and the unique advantages of choosing natural, unrefined mineral sources.
The Rich Trace Mineral Profile of Redmond Real Salt
Redmond Real Salt is an unrefined sea salt harvested from an ancient seabed in Utah. Unlike highly processed table salt, Real Salt retains over 60 naturally occurring trace minerals, which contribute to its unique flavor and potential health benefits.
Key Mineral Content
- Sodium & Chloride: Real Salt is approximately 98% sodium chloride, with the remaining 2% made up of trace minerals.
- Trace Minerals: Includes magnesium, calcium, potassium, silica, iron, zinc, copper, and more.
- Silica: Present as a naturally occurring mineral, silica supports bone and connective tissue health and may even help keep teeth clean.
"The 60+ trace minerals give Real Salt its good flavor and make it healthier too."
— Redmond Life
Why Trace Minerals Matter
Trace minerals in Real Salt are not just for taste—they are essential for various bodily functions, including enzyme activity, bone health, and maintaining electrolyte balance. The presence of these minerals is what sets Real Salt apart from refined salts, which are stripped of their natural mineral content.
Natural and Unrefined
Redmond Real Salt is OMRI listed, meaning it is approved for use in certified organic production and food processing. It is delivered to you in the same unpolluted and unrefined state as it exists underground, preserving its natural mineral balance.
Bioavailability and Safety of Trace Minerals
Are the Minerals in Real Salt Bioavailable?
Bioavailability refers to how well your body can absorb and utilize a nutrient. While the exact bioavailability of each trace mineral in Real Salt has not been scientifically determined, experts agree that unrefined salts offer benefits due to their natural mineral content and lack of added chemicals.
"We know the average mineral content of Real Salt, but have not done testing to determine the form of each mineral or its bioavailability... Experts discuss the benefits of using unrefined salt, but we can’t say whether the benefits are due to bioavailability, the ratio of trace minerals, pH, or some other factor."
— Redmond Life
Safety of Trace Elements
All natural products, including Real Salt, contain trace amounts of elements like lead and arsenic, simply because they come from the earth. However, the levels found in Real Salt are far below established safety limits:
- Lead: Average of 200 parts per billion (ppb) per serving—well below the Provisional Tolerable Intake (PTI) for adults.
- Arsenic: You would need to consume over 1,500 servings per day to reach the PTI.
"While trace amounts of some unwanted naturally occurring elements are found in many foods, including Real Salt, we believe in the benefits of consuming natural, unrefined products over highly processed alternatives."
— Redmond Life
The Role of Trace Minerals in Redmond Clay
Redmond Clay, a natural bentonite clay, is another source of trace minerals. Formed from ancient volcanic ash, it contains a variety of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of metals like aluminum and lead.
How Trace Minerals in Clay Work
- Stable Mineral Forms: Elements like aluminum are tightly bound in stable compounds (e.g., aluminum silicate), making them non-absorbable and safe for use.
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): The clay’s negative charge allows it to attract and bind positively charged particles, including heavy metals, which can help detoxify the body.
- Safety: Animal and human studies show that bentonite clay is not absorbed by the body and is safe for short-term use.
"Clay particles—especially those from the smectite family (like Redmond’s or other bentonite clays) carry a strong negative charge... this structure and charge allow it to pull in and hold onto other positively charged particles, including unwanted toxins."
— Redmond Life
Comparing Real Salt to Other Natural Salts
Redmond Real Salt is often compared to other natural salts like Celtic and Himalayan salt. All three contain a spectrum of trace minerals, but Real Salt is unique for its American origin and the specific mineral balance preserved by its ancient seabed source.
- Real Salt: Over 60 trace minerals, unrefined, mined in Utah.
- Celtic Salt: Harvested from sea water in France, similar trace mineral content.
- Himalayan Salt: Mined in Pakistan, pink color due to iron oxide.
"Real Salt is 98% sodium chloride and 2% trace minerals, and it’s these 60+ trace minerals that make Real Salt real."
— Redmond Life
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Real Salt sometimes look "dirty" or not dissolve completely?
The "grit" or insoluble particles in Real Salt are natural trace minerals like silica. These are safe, beneficial, and a sign of the salt’s unrefined nature.
Is it safe to consume trace minerals that do not dissolve in water?
Yes. Many trace minerals, such as silica, are not water-soluble but are still safe and can provide health benefits, including supporting bone and connective tissue health.
How much Real Salt is safe to consume?
The trace elements in Real Salt are present in extremely low concentrations. You would need to consume far more than typical daily amounts to approach any safety limits.
Conclusion
Choosing natural, unrefined products like Redmond Real Salt and Redmond Clay ensures you receive a full spectrum of trace minerals as nature intended. These minerals support health in subtle but important ways, and their presence is a testament to the purity and quality of these products. While the exact bioavailability of each mineral may vary, the overall benefits of consuming a natural, mineral-rich product are well supported by both science and tradition.
"We believe in the health benefits of these minerals, and removing them would not only change what nature created, but require all kinds of processing."
— Redmond Life
Note: Always consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or supplement routine, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions.
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