Although I am sure Rachel and Don have only good intentions, and that added
salt is not generally needed and may be harmful, your understanding of the
basic inorganic and organic and biological  chemistry involved and the
conclusions drawn therefrom, remain all wrong. Definitions and farfetched
unrelated examples do not make the point for you or the various experts
quoted. The ions and the elements can not be considered as even similar in
life...the elements rarely if ever occur naturally...miniscule amounts are
highly toxic. As to the ions,  Na+ and Cl- are maintained within a very
narrow range by the body and significant deviations are often catastophic. It
is a titration. Thinking of the kidneys' job as just getting rid of these
ions is like thinking of a kitchen as a place that has the job of creating
garbage.