Health NewsFlash********
Craving Salt????
The reasons for food cravings are complex and interesting. A craving may be physiological or even psychological.
This bulletin concerns biochemical reasons for salt cravings. Future bulletins will address other common cravings, such as those for sugar, chocolate, carbohydrates, fat, dairy products or meat.
Principles Of Cravings
Several principles apply in regard to food cravings. The first is that in our experience, cravings occur for definite reasons. They are not accidental or random. Often knowing a person's cravings offers clues as to the condition of their body chemistry. A corollary is that correction of the biochemical reason for a craving generally results in a lessening of that craving.
A second principle is that the same craving can occur for very different reasons. For example, both slow and fast oxidizers may crave salt, but for different reasons. Therefore, it is helpful to determine the metabolic type and specific imbalances in order to explain a food craving.
A third principle is that the body always attempts to become balanced and whole. The attempt can be temporary and ill-advised, but may be the best that can be done under the circumstances.
What Is Salt?
Today's table salt is a refined, "junk food" product. It contains mainly sodium and chloride. It is extensively refined, stripped of all its other naturally-occurring minerals. These are sold separately and the residue is sold as salt. It may be bleached white and aluminum added to keep it from caking.
Processed foods and fast foods often contain excessive amounts of this type of salt. This includes fast-food burgers, sandwiches, fries, tacos, chips and baked goods, just to name a few. One meal may contain enough salt for a week. Chinese and other spicy foods are often laced with a related product, monosodium glutamate or MSG. Salt and MSG are commonly used to disguise the lack of real taste in poor quality food.
We recommend avoiding ALL refined salt products. Their consumption may lead to mineral deficiencies, imbalances, allergic reactions and aluminum excess. One reason for salt craving may be a real need for the trace minerals contained in natural salt. Eating refined salt, of course, does little to satisfy this need.
Use only unrefined sea salt, such as Celtic Salt or other brands available in health food stores. These can be good sources of trace minerals. They usually do not cause the adverse affects associated with eating refined salt such as swelling, high blood pressure, headaches and allergic reactions.
Slow Oxidation And Salt
In slow oxidizers, the hair sodium level tends to be low due to a deficient level of the adrenal hormone, aldosterone. This hormone causes the retention of sodium at the level of the kidneys. Low aldosterone increases sodium excretion through the urine.
Sodium is a key element in maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure and joint health. Sodium chloride is changed into hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Eating extra salt may help alleviate symptoms of low sodium including low blood pressure, fatigue, feeling cold in the winter and low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach. The effect, however, is temporary unless adrenal gland activity is enhanced as well.
Fast Oxidation And Salt
In fast oxidizers, the hair sodium level tends to be high. However, these individuals may also crave salt. Fast oxidizers are accustomed to a high sodium level. Eating salt may enhance the oxidation rate, or be an attempt to maintain the sodium level, especially as the adrenal glands weaken.
One manifestation of this weakness is a low hair sodium/potassium ratio. Although eating salt will not correct this ratio, it is possible that the inverted ratio could contribute to some cases of salt craving.
True fast oxidizers also have a more acid metabolism. This is because a faster oxidation rate produces more acidic end-products of metabolism such as lactic acid. Eating salt may help balance the pH by alkalinizing the blood.
Note that salt does not have an alkalinizing effect on everyone. The minerals in salt have an alkaline reaction in the body. However, if the salt enhances the oxidation rate, for example, salt might have an acidifying effect on the blood.
Other Reasons For Salt Craving
Balancing the pH: As stated above, the mineral content and the effects of salt on body chemistry can change the pH of the tissues and the blood. Some nutritional authorities assert that salt is used in cooking to help balance the pH of certain foods, such as grains.
Balancing Yin and Yang: According to the oriental science of balancing the qualities of yin and yang, salt has a very yang quality. Those who are too yin may crave salt to restore balance. In our experience, these are often slow oxidizers. This may help explain why some people add salt to yin foods, such as fruits or salads.
Biological Transmutation: Dr. C. L. Kervan, a French researcher, found that living organisms may transmute sodium into potassium.
Dr. Kervan's research involved oil rig workers in the Sahara desert. They craved salt and ate quite a bit. However, with careful measurement, they were found to perspire and urinate less sodium and much more potassium than they ingested.
Furthermore, Dr. Kervan found the sodium/potassium transmutation absorbs heat, cooling the body. This may explain a salt craving if one is an athlete, or working or living in a hot climate.
Many repeatable experiments appear to validate the truth of biological transmutation of the elements. Dr. Kervan's book, Biological Transmutations, is highly recommended.
Salt Substitutes
Salt substitutes vary widely. Some are mainly salt with a few spices added. Others contain no sodium whatsoever, substituting potassium or other compounds for the sodium.
Unrefined sea salt is often safe and a good choice. If salt is not tolerated well, a substitute made with potassium or spices may work.
In summary, salt craving can be complex and may be healthful, providing one satisfies it with the real item.
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IRS Recoupment (severance Vets only)
How to Recoup Taxes Paid on Disability
Severance pay From the Armed Forces
Many medically discharged vets, including some good friends of mine, don't know they are entitled to get the taxes back if they get a VA rating. The one's who do know they are entitled (like I did) don't know how to go about doing it. If I can spare anyone what I went through trying to figure it out, its worth it.
Dorothy
IRS publications 17 (Your Federal Income Tax) & 525 (Taxable & Non-taxable Income, page 17) both state that “if you receive a lump-sum disability severance payment and are later awarded VA disability benefits, exclude 100% of the severance benefit from your income.” But neither publication says how.
Who is eligible?
According to page one of an information paper published online by the Presidio of Monterey Staff Judge Advocate, veterans who have:
a designation of 10 a, b, or c on DA Form 199 (findings from the Physical Evaluation Board). The rest of this page will deal with the last situation -
a retroactive disability determination from the VA. (Information Paper). This last one means the VA has awarded a disability rating for the same condition for which someone is discharged.
This paper has limitations, and it is difficult to read. It basically states that the veteran needs to:
Get a VA disability rating for the same condition for which they received a discharge.
Request a corrected W-2 from DFAS indicating the non-taxable income.
Use that corrected W-2 to file a 1040X for said year. The IRS will return the overpayment of taxes.
But, DFAS will not issue a corrected W-2 indicating this non-taxable income unless the request is made within the same year as the original W-2 was issued. Most veterans know it is almost impossible to get a VA disability rating in less than a year.
How to get back your taxes paid on lump-sum disability severance pay:
Once you have a retrograde VA disability rating:
Fill out a 1040X subtracting the lump-sum disability payment from your taxable income. Make reference to Publication 525, Taxable & Non-Taxable Income.
Attach the following documentation:
a. The enclosed explanation letter, addressed to your IRS Regional Service Center.
b. A copy of your VA disability award documentation.
c. A copy of your separation orders.
d. A copy of your DD-214 (does not have to be notarized)
e. A copy of your original W-2 from the year the taxes were paid.
f. A copy of your federal tax return from the year the taxes were paid.
Here's a sample letter in which you can put your name, address, and other information: Click Here.
On the top of each page in the packet, write:
a. Your full name
b. Social Security Number
c. The phrase “St. Clair vs. the United States.”
Mail this packet to your IRS Regional Service Center. The address for each is in Publication 17, or online at www.irs.gov.
Note: The 1040X generally must be filed within 3 years of the original tax return. There are some exceptions, see your local IRS office or the instructions for Form 1040X. Once the tax refund is paid, your state taxes may be re-filed. Procedures vary by state.
I apologize for any inaccuracies in the above. I put it together using my own recent experience, online research, and innumerable phone conversations I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
--Dorothy
Reference List
Information Paper. Retrieved June 16, 2008, from http://pom-ima.monterey.army.mil/sites/installation/sja/taxes/Disability%20Severance%20Pay%20Tax%20Refund.pdf. (pp. 1-8).
Internal Revenue Service. (2007). Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals. Publication 17. (p.50).
Internal Revenue Service. (2007). Taxable and Non-Taxable Income. Publication 525. (p. 17).
Allan B. Colombo
Copyright©2008
Founded 1997
Severance pay From the Armed Forces
Many medically discharged vets, including some good friends of mine, don't know they are entitled to get the taxes back if they get a VA rating. The one's who do know they are entitled (like I did) don't know how to go about doing it. If I can spare anyone what I went through trying to figure it out, its worth it.
Dorothy
IRS publications 17 (Your Federal Income Tax) & 525 (Taxable & Non-taxable Income, page 17) both state that “if you receive a lump-sum disability severance payment and are later awarded VA disability benefits, exclude 100% of the severance benefit from your income.” But neither publication says how.
Who is eligible?
According to page one of an information paper published online by the Presidio of Monterey Staff Judge Advocate, veterans who have:
a designation of 10 a, b, or c on DA Form 199 (findings from the Physical Evaluation Board). The rest of this page will deal with the last situation -
a retroactive disability determination from the VA. (Information Paper). This last one means the VA has awarded a disability rating for the same condition for which someone is discharged.
This paper has limitations, and it is difficult to read. It basically states that the veteran needs to:
Get a VA disability rating for the same condition for which they received a discharge.
Request a corrected W-2 from DFAS indicating the non-taxable income.
Use that corrected W-2 to file a 1040X for said year. The IRS will return the overpayment of taxes.
But, DFAS will not issue a corrected W-2 indicating this non-taxable income unless the request is made within the same year as the original W-2 was issued. Most veterans know it is almost impossible to get a VA disability rating in less than a year.
How to get back your taxes paid on lump-sum disability severance pay:
Once you have a retrograde VA disability rating:
Fill out a 1040X subtracting the lump-sum disability payment from your taxable income. Make reference to Publication 525, Taxable & Non-Taxable Income.
Attach the following documentation:
a. The enclosed explanation letter, addressed to your IRS Regional Service Center.
b. A copy of your VA disability award documentation.
c. A copy of your separation orders.
d. A copy of your DD-214 (does not have to be notarized)
e. A copy of your original W-2 from the year the taxes were paid.
f. A copy of your federal tax return from the year the taxes were paid.
Here's a sample letter in which you can put your name, address, and other information: Click Here.
On the top of each page in the packet, write:
a. Your full name
b. Social Security Number
c. The phrase “St. Clair vs. the United States.”
Mail this packet to your IRS Regional Service Center. The address for each is in Publication 17, or online at www.irs.gov.
Note: The 1040X generally must be filed within 3 years of the original tax return. There are some exceptions, see your local IRS office or the instructions for Form 1040X. Once the tax refund is paid, your state taxes may be re-filed. Procedures vary by state.
I apologize for any inaccuracies in the above. I put it together using my own recent experience, online research, and innumerable phone conversations I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
--Dorothy
Reference List
Information Paper. Retrieved June 16, 2008, from http://pom-ima.monterey.army.mil/sites/installation/sja/taxes/Disability%20Severance%20Pay%20Tax%20Refund.pdf. (pp. 1-8).
Internal Revenue Service. (2007). Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals. Publication 17. (p.50).
Internal Revenue Service. (2007). Taxable and Non-Taxable Income. Publication 525. (p. 17).
Allan B. Colombo
Copyright©2008
Founded 1997
The Remembrance Technique
this technique is an old Buddhist trick for tapping into the problem solving power of your brain. It is used to overcome the feeling of hopelessness that can immobilize a person when facing a difficult situation.
I like to use it to solve difficult problems that I encounter from day to day.
The idea is that when you are trying to decide what to do to solve a problem, you tell yourself to remember the solution. You might say to yourself "Remember! How did I solve this problem?"
This essentially tells your brain that there is a solution, and that the answer is somewhere in there. The brain responds to this assumption by searching for "the" solution. Our brains are always more powerful than we realize - we just need little "tricks" like this to get beyond our self-imposed limitations.
Try this technique several times a week in order for it to work more naturally.
I like to use it to solve difficult problems that I encounter from day to day.
The idea is that when you are trying to decide what to do to solve a problem, you tell yourself to remember the solution. You might say to yourself "Remember! How did I solve this problem?"
This essentially tells your brain that there is a solution, and that the answer is somewhere in there. The brain responds to this assumption by searching for "the" solution. Our brains are always more powerful than we realize - we just need little "tricks" like this to get beyond our self-imposed limitations.
Try this technique several times a week in order for it to work more naturally.
Does The VA Owe You $$$?
Does the VA Owe You Money?
The Department of Veterans Affairs has over $33 million in unclaimed money dating back to WWI. The monies include unclaimed life-insurance policy payments, dividend checks and refunds. To find out if the VA owes you money, visit the VA's Unclaimed Insurance funds Search webpage at https://insurance.va.gov/liability/ufsearch.htm. You will need as much of the following information as you can provide: the veteran's first name, middle name, last name, date of birth, and date of death. You can also call the toll-free phone number 1-800-669-8477. Important Note: The unclaimed funds search does not include SGLI and VFLI policies for those in service from 1965 to the present. Please do not use this search feature if you are a SGLI or VGLI policyholder.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has over $33 million in unclaimed money dating back to WWI. The monies include unclaimed life-insurance policy payments, dividend checks and refunds. To find out if the VA owes you money, visit the VA's Unclaimed Insurance funds Search webpage at https://insurance.va.gov/liability/ufsearch.htm. You will need as much of the following information as you can provide: the veteran's first name, middle name, last name, date of birth, and date of death. You can also call the toll-free phone number 1-800-669-8477. Important Note: The unclaimed funds search does not include SGLI and VFLI policies for those in service from 1965 to the present. Please do not use this search feature if you are a SGLI or VGLI policyholder.
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