Even though traditional medicines and treatment programs are available for many illnesses, there are usually non-traditional ones that might be suggested. One such option is chinen salt., which is being explored for its potential health benefits. If you’ve never heard of it, then now is a good time to find out if it’s something you should be adding to your regular diet.
What’s Chinen Salt, Anyway?
While it’s called salt, the product is far different from the table salt or sea salt that you might use. Chinen salt is actually made from a compound known as berberine chloride, which is derived from Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis).
It also contains sodium chloride and sodium nitrate, monosodium glycolate(MSG). However, its benefits are usually associated with berberine.
You May Also Like
Chinen salt has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to remove toxins from the body for some time. Specifically, it’s been found to be helpful for those who are dealing with type 2 diabetes.
RELATED: Top Reasons To Include Beets In Your Diet
Chinen salt for diabetes:
What Are Some Of The Possible Benefits?
Of course, there’s hardly any data available to determine for sure if chinen salt will have a significant positive impact on your health. Still, these are a few of the potential benefits that have been suggested from its use in traditional Chinese medicine.
You May Also Like
- It can reduce blood sugar - Some studies have shown that berberine chloride is helpful for reducing blood sugar levels and maintaining them within a healthy range.
- It can encourage the production of insulin - The core cause of diabetes is that there’s an issue with insulin production so if berberine encourages this then it’s good news for diabetics.
- It may have anti-inflammatory properties - Berberine may be an anti-inflammatory so it can help with certain conditions including the kidney complications that many diabetics deal with.
- It can regulate fat levels in the blood - This benefit is important for anyone who has issues with high cholesterol.
- It may boost the immune system - Chinen salt has been purported to improve the immune system and as such contribute to overall wellness.
- It may strengthen blood vessel walls - Illness, aging, and dietary habits can affect the strength and elasticity of blood vessel walls, which in turn can affect the circulatory system. Chinen salt may help to keep these vessels strong.
- It can help with digestion - It’s been suggested that Chinen salt helps with digestion by stimulating your gut bacteria.
Chinen salt is typically available as a supplement but it may
go by a different name. If you’re looking for it, you might need to find Chinese coptis, Huang Lian, Coptis chinensis, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Chinese goldthread.
Can Chinen Salt Have Side Effects?
Again, the studies have been limited but it’s been shown that up to 3g per day would be safe. Most supplements typically have a recommended dosage of 1g daily, though so it’s best to stick to that.
It’s also a good idea for people who are considered to be vulnerable to stay away from it. Vulnerable groups usually include older adults, pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding, infants, and children.
READ: 6 Foods you should avoid if you’re on dialysis
Additionally, products that contain berberine have been known to have certain side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In cases where the side effects are difficult to handle, it might be a good idea to stop taking the chinen salt.
Bear in mind that no one has studied the possible interactions between chinen salt for diabetes and different medications so make sure to talk to your doctor before you start taking any supplements.
Even if you’ve been given the go-ahead, make note of any changes in your body or health that could mean that you’re having an adverse reaction.
While chinen salt is widely used in Chinese medicine, it’s not yet accepted for traditional use. It’s certainly not a replacement for the drugs you take for chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
If you’re interested in getting some of the purported benefits of chinen salt, talk to your doctor about using it to supplement your existing medical regimen.
