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| Proper name |
Chloride |
| Category |
Mineral (electrolyte) |
| Functions |
Chloride is one of the 3 electrolytes along with sodium and potassium. The
electrolytes help maintain normal distribution of water by maintaining osmotic
pressure. Chloride also helps to maintain the acid/alkaline (pH) balance
in conjunction with phosphate and sulfate ions. Chloride is an essential
part of hydrochloric acid (HCL). HCL is necessary for protein digestion
in the stomach. And to stimulate the secretion of pancreatic bicarbonate
and digestive enzymes. Chloride ions are needed to transport carbon dioxide
(CO2) through the blood as bicarbonate, to the lungs for excretion. Along
with the other electrolytes, chloride, calcium and magnesium are required
for nerve conduction and muscle relaxation/contraction. |
| RDA |
Infants, 180 to 300 mg. Children, 350 to 750 mg. Adults, 750 mg. |
| Therapeutic
dose |
Chloride is widely available in foods and thus is not supplemented. |
| Deficiency symptoms |
Chloride deficiency is rare, as it is present in so many foods, particularly
salt. Deficiency can be caused by adrenal insufficiency, prolonged use of
diuretics, excessive sweating, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, or systemic
acidosis. Metabolic acidosis can result from chloride deficiency. The
symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and sweating. Other symptoms of chloride
deficiency include weakness, poor digestion, loss of appetite, and hair
loss. |
| Toxicity |
Chloride is so efficiently excreted in the urine that toxicity and side
effects have not been reported. |
| Best
forms
|
Widely available in animal and vegetable foods. Supplementation is not recommended.
A bioavailable form of chloride is miso, tamari or sea salt. |
| Food
sources |
Chloride
is present in nearly all foods, most commonly as sodium chloride (table
salt). |
| Lab
tests |
Serum chloride. |
| Drug
interactions |
None noted. |
| Nutrient interactions |
Normally found combined with sodium as table salt. |
| Metabolism |
Chlorine exists in
the body as chloride. It accounts for about 3% of the total of the minerals
in the body. It is most highly concentrated in the spinal fluid and in
the gastric secretion, hydrochloric acid. 85% of chloride exists outside
the cells, in the intercellular fluids.
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