Although salt is an essential nutrient required for many biological processes, excess amounts can lead to high blood pressure, renal dysfunction, stroke, and heart disease. People with these conditions should consume less than 1,500 mg of salt per day. Regardless of which type of salt you are consuming, moderation is key. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day, which is roughly how much sodium is in one teaspoon of table salt. When you eat too much salt or sodium, extra water is retained in the bloodstream to flush out the salt from the body. This makes your kidneys work overtime to release chemicals such as renin and angiotensin, which cause the blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to increase temporarily. Additionally, the renin-angiotensin spike causes the release of another hormone called aldosterone, which increases blood pressure through water retention. Consistent high intake of salt thus results in a constant increase in blood pressure, eventually leading to hypertension. Excess salt consumption causes hardening of the blood vessels, leading to increased resistance in the small arteries. This causes the heart to have to work harder to pump blood, resulting in hypertrophy of the heart muscle. Over time, the heart is unable to pump the blood with increased force, causing gradual weakening of the muscle. According to some claims, Himalayan pink salt contains less sodium per serving than ordinary table salt. Himalayan pink salt also contains a trace amount of minerals that table salt does not have, including: * Zinc * Iron * Calcium * Potassium * Magnesium It is believed that salt therapy, which involves the inhalation of air infused with salt, is beneficial for respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, more research on this point is needed. Salt is necessary to maintain adequate and balanced hydration levels in the body. Getting enough salt, especially before or after vigorous exercise, is important to prevent dehydration caused by lost water and salt, a condition called hyponatremia. Salt is believed to have several beneficial effects on various skin conditions such as eczema, depending on where the salt is sourced. The National Eczema Association recommends adding a cup of salt to bathwater for relief from eczema flare-ups. Consuming too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which is also the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Too much salt can therefore lead to heart problems. Consuming too much salt may cause high levels of calcium to leach out of the body during urination. As such, scientists suspect that excess salt could increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders, although more further studies are needed. Hypernatremia is caused by excess sodium levels in the blood. This is a serious condition that requires medical attention.