What is Chloride?
Chloride is a compound of hydrochloric acid containing chlorine and another element. Chlorine is a halogen gas named by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1810. In the past chlorine was known as oxymuriatic acid gas and dephlogisticated marine acid. Chlorine is derived from the Latin word “khloros” in reference to its pale green color and also means “to shine”.
The name chloride comes from chlorine and ‘ide’ which is a negative ion which works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and bicarbonate. The ide in chloride indicates this is a compound made from two elements such as sodium chloride (NaCl).
Chloride is one of the major electrolytes in the body found in the fluids around the cells with sodium. It has an important role in regulating the amount of fluid inside (intracellular) and outside of the cells (extracellular). Around 0.15% of body weight is made up of chloride with small amounts of chloride found in the bones. Similar to sodium and potassium it has the role of maintaining pH of the body’s fluid (acid-base balance), blood volume and blood pressure.
Chloride is absorbed in the intestines and is eliminated through the regulatory function of the kidneys.
While chloride has a number of health benefits within the body in the correct amount, chlorine can be toxic due to the overexposure in harmful amounts since it can be found in drinking tap water, hot tubs, swimming pools and even in the air which unsuspecting individuals absorb through their skin or lungs.
Health benefits of Chloride
Needed for electrolyte balance
Electrolyte balance is important for optimal health. Chloride, sodium and potassium are some of the most important electrolytes to keep in balance as levels which are too high or too low can have many health implications including inducing coma. Other electrolytes that are important and include calcium, magnesium and phosphate.
Most people leading an active lifestyle and working out often may quickly develop low electrolyte balance and require restoring levels either through supplements or various beverages. While there are many products on the market to replenish electrolyte levels it is best to stick with zero preservatives for optimal health and a good balance of electrolyte levels.
Maintains body pH
Chloride works with the other electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to regulate the pH balance of fluids in the body (acid-base). It helps regulate the amount of fluid inside and outside the cells by keeping it in balance.
Mantains fluid balance
Chloride helps to regulate the fluid level in the body. Chloride is involved in the cellular pumps which regulate the transport of water and nutrients through the cell walls.
Controls blood pressure and blood volume
Chloride with other electrolytes sodium and potassium assists with maintaining blood volume and a consistent blood pressure. [1] [2]
Aids in healthy digestion
The presence of sodium chloride contributes to the formation of stomach acid with the addition of potassium chloride and hydrochloric acid. The chloride in salt (sodium chloride) is needed to stimulate hydrochloric acid which helps with digestion and absorbing important nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12 which need stomach acid to be absorbed properly. Chloride also assists in digesting protein. Individuals on low salt diets can end up with hypochlorhydria which is likely to impair digestion. [3]
Agonist / Synergist
Minerals: Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mo,
Other: Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Flouride (F-)
Flouride and chloride at normal levels work synergistically [4]
Antagonists
Minerals: Ca, Mg, Br, F-, V (vanadium)
Other: Tin (Sn), Flouride (F-), Chloride channel blocker*
Flouride is antagonistic with chloride when levels are too high. [5]
*Chloride channel blocker is a type of drug which inhibits the transmissions of ions (Cl−) through chloride channels. [6]
Food sources of Chloride
Chloride is found in sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride. The addition of salt with food is one of the main dietary source of chloride. Chlorine is found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. It is also found in nightshade vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Celery and lettuce also contain some chloride.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
|
Age |
Chloride: Adequate Intake (AI) in grams (g/d) |
|
INFANTS AND CHILDREN |
|
|
0-6 months |
0.18 g |
|
7-12 months |
0.57 g |
|
1-3 years |
1.5 g |
|
4-8 years |
1.9 g |
|
|
|
|
Age |
Chloride: Adequate Intake (AI) in grams (g/d) |
||
|
MALES |
|||
|
9-13 years |
2.3 g |
|
|
|
14-18 years |
2.3 g |
|
|
|
19-30 years |
2.3 g |
|
|
|
31-50 years |
2.3 g |
|
|
|
51-70 years |
2.0 g |
|
|
|
70+ years |
1.8 g |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEMALES |
|||
|
|
|
Pregnancy |
Lactation |
|
9-13 years |
2.3 g |
|
|
|
14-18 years |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
|
19-30 years |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
|
31-50 years |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
2.3 g |
|
51-70 years |
2.0 g |
|
|
|
70+ years |
1.8 g |
|
|
The tolerable Upper Intake Levels for chloride is set at 3.6g per day for healthy adults. [7] [8]
Chloride Supplementation
Standalone chloride supplements are not available but can be found in sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride.
1g of salt provides 387.6 mg of sodium and about 600 g of chloride. 1g of potassium chloride provides 476 mg of chloride and 520 mg of potassium.
Supplementing with potassium citrate instead of potassium chloride may be better for preventing excess calcium excretion induced by sodium chloride which could lead to the build-up of kidney stones. Potassium chloride is the preffered form if potassium levels are too low. [9]
Deficiency symptoms of Chloride
Deficiency of chloride is rare since most food contains salt and most people obtain adequate amounts of chloride. Deficiency of chloride is known as hypochloremia.
Signs and symptoms of a chloride deficiency include:
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Lethargy
- Apathy
- High blood ph (alkalosis)
- Low potassium
- Metabolic alkalosis (Hypokalemic)*
- Slowed growth and delayed speech (in children)
*Caused from loss of chloride where the body has high blood pH and loss of potassium. This can lead to symptoms such as muscle control malfunction and difficulty breathing and swallowing. [10] [11]
The following are some of the possible causes for chloride deficiency:
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excess coffee
- Diuretics
- Laxatives
- Excess fluid intake
- Heart failure
- Impaired kidney function
- Burns
- Chloride-deficient infant formula
- Addison’s disease
[12]
Toxicity symptoms of Chloride
Excessive blood levels of chloride is known as hyperchloremia, however is rare and may not cause many health problems as it is excreted by the body.
Symptoms of chronically excessive intake usually with the addition of sodium include:
- Acid-base (ph) imbalance
- Fluid retention
- Edema
- High blood pressure
- Ringing sounds or other noises in the ear (tinnitus)*
- Hearing loss
- Risk of certain cancers
*This may be a symptom of iron deficiency as its absorption is dependent on hydrochloric acid and proper digestion
High chloride levels may be caused by:
- High intake of sodium chloride
- High intake of potassium chloride
- Water retention
- Low serum bicarbonate
- Dehydration
- Cancer
- Digestive problems
- Kidney impairment
- Medications
Precautions and warnings
When taking any medications it is important to discuss with your doctor or other health professional before supplementing with any form of supplements containing chloride as it may interact or inhibit the effects of various drugs.