Chloride

Chlorine in the body exists in the form of chloride and is an essential mineral in animals and humans. The average adult body contains about 115 g of chloride.

Benefits

In addition to its functions as an electrolyte, chloride combines with hydrogen to make stomach acid (hydrochloric acid).

Absorption and metabolism

Excess chloride is excreted in the urine, sweat and gastrointestinal tract. Excessive losses can be caused by heavy sweating and by diarrhea. Urinary excretion of chloride is increased by high salt diets, rickets and liver cirrhosis. It is decreased in cases of chronic kidney disease, the early stages of pneumonia, cancer and gastritis.

Deficiency

Deficiency of chloride is very rare and is known as alkalosis. It may occur when there are excessive sodium losses, for example in heavy sweating, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms include muscle weakness, loss of appetite and lethargy. Athletes can lose large amounts of chloride during endurance exercise.

Sources

Foods rich in sodium are also rich in chloride. These include salt, yeast extract, processed meats, cheese, kelp, olives and bread.

Recommended dietary allowances

No RDA has been established as most diets are high in salt and therefore high in chloride. The suggested minimum requirement is 750 mg per day and most adults consume 3500 to 7000 mg per day due to high salt diets.

Toxic effects of excess Intake

Excessive dietary levels of chloride are likely only with increased salt and potassium chloride intakes. The toxic effects of such diets are attributed to sodium and potassium ions, although it is possible that chloride ions may play a role in the increased incidence of high blood pressure when salt intakes are high. Increased blood plasma chloride levels are seen in kidney disease, anemia, heart disease and pregnancy.

Potassium
Sodium
Chloride

Other Minerals:

Boron
Calcium
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Electrolytes
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Fluoride
Iodine
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Phosphorus
Selenium
Silicon
Sulfur
Vanadium
Zinc