Chloride

Basic Information

Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No

NATURAL SOURCES

Salt substitutes (potassium chloride)
Sea salt
Table salt (sodium chloride)
Found in combination with other molecules

REASONS TO USE

Regulates body's electrolyte balance. Regulates body's acid-base balance.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

None known

WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements. Older people (over 55 years). Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs. People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery. Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical activities. Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed. People with recent severe burns or injuries.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Continuous vomiting When chloride is intentionally neglected in infant-formula preparations, infant develops metabolic alkalosis, hypovolemia and significant urinary loss. Psychomotor defects, memory loss and growth retardation also occur. Upsets balance of acids and bases in body fluids (rare) Nausea Vomiting Confusion Weakness Coma

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

None

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

Serum chloride

DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

What this mineral does:

• Chloride is a constituent of acid in the stomach (hydrochloric acid).
• Interacts with sodium, potassium and carbon dioxide to maintain acid-base balance in body cells and fluids. It is crucial to normal health.
• Concentrations of sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide and chlorine are controlled by mechanisms inside each body cell.

  Miscellaneous information:
  

• Healthy people do not have to make any special efforts to maintain sufficient chloride.
• Eating a balanced diet supplies all daily needs.
• Extremely ill patients, with acid-base imbalance, require hospitalization, frequent laboratory studies and skillful professional care.

  Available as:
  

• Sodium-chloride (salt) tablets. These may cause stomach distress and overload on kidneys.
• A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.

  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  Don't take if you:
  

• No known contraindications.

  Consult your doctor if you have:
  

• No known contraindications.

  Over age 55:
  

• No special problems expected.

  Pregnancy:
  

• No special problems expected.
• Don't take megadoses.

  Breast-feeding:
  

• No special problems expected.
• Don't take megadoses.

  Effect on lab tests:
  

• No special problems expected.

  Storage:
  

• Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

  OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

  Signs and symptoms:
  Upset balance of acids and bases in body fluids can occur with
  "too-much-chloride" or with "too-little-chloride." Symptoms of
  either include weakness, confusion, coma.
  

  What to do:
  

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking a large amount): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

  ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

  None expected
  

  INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

  Interacts with	Combined effect
  Chlorine	Maintains normal acid-base
  	balance in body.
  Potassium	Maintains normal acid-base
  	balance in body.
  Sodium	Maintains normal acid-base
  	balance in body.

  INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

  None known