No cell in the human body can function without salt. Our electrolytes – sodium, potassium, and chloride – drive every intracellular process like pistons of an engine. Without salt, the human body cannot produce energy, maintain blood pressure, or even regenerate. Salt is especially critical in treating adrenal fatigue.

How does salt affect cortisol?

In healthy subjects, dietary salt loading increases and sodium restriction decreases urinary free cortisol excretion (5–7). However, cortisol elimination can be more comprehensively determined by measurement of urinary cortisol metabolite excretion (8).

How does salt affect the adrenal glands?

The reduced amount of sodium available in the circulation that triggers the adrenal gland to increase production of aldosterone also increases adrenal production of the stress hormone cortisol and the fight-or-flight hormone adrenaline.