hi Ginagirl,
thank you for sharing your own experience. i was about to send you a message to ask what was your symptomes 2 years ago:-)
salt sounds like a clue. i recently eat little salt. when i make salad, i don't put salt or dressing at all, only galic and olive oil. so, lack of salt might be a reason that after diet for over 4 months my health did not improved as much as i like. i will try to put some salt in my food now and see what happens.
a cup of salt water end your day? i cannot do it! actually i don't drink much water after dinner otherwise i cannot have a decent sleep at night. i would wake up for the bathroom. by chinese medicine, this is a sign of weak kidney.