Final answer:
You may be missing out on iodine by only consuming sea salt instead of iodized table salt, which is key in preventing iodine deficiency disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you only use sea salt, you may be missing out on iodine, which is an element essential for human health. While sea salt contains some natural minerals, it's typically not fortified with iodine as table salt often is. Iodine is vital for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, and for preventing conditions such as goiter and intellectual disabilities that can arise from iodine deficiencies.
One way that iodine has been added to diets is through iodized table salt, a practice that has greatly enhanced health and development since it was introduced in the 1920s. Additionally, large amounts of iodide ion are also found in seaweeds like kelp.
It's important to note that while sodium chloride (NaCl), the main component of salt, provides essential sodium and chloride ions for fluid balance, nerve function, and other bodily processes, excessive salt intake can lead to health issues like high blood pressure.