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Chloride (the major mineral

and electrolyte mineral)

Chloride:

The major mineral required by the human body.

Chloride is one of the seven major minerals needed by human bodies. Chloride, along with the major mineral sodium, is the most common mineral in our daily life, as the salt we intake daily is sodium chloride.

 

The salt we take in our diet is sodium chloride. In sodium chloride, sodium is the positive ion, and chloride is the negative ion.

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Chloride is one of the three electrolyte ions.

Chloride, along with potassium and sodium, are collectively called electrolyte minerals.

 

Chloride is an electrolyte ion regulating the fluid balance in our bodies. Electrolytes transmit nerve or electrical impulses in the human body and regulate fluid balance in and out of body cells.

 

Chloride is the major negative extracellular ion maintaining fluid balance in and out of human cells. The other electrolyte minerals, sodium, and potassium, are the positive ions. In addition, chloride, potassium, and sodium are major minerals the human body needs.

 

Chloride and sodium are necessary to maintain extracellular fluid volume and plasma osmolarity. The anion chloride and cation sodium are typically found together in salt sodium chloride.

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What does chloride do in our bodies?

In summary, the three significant functions of chloride in our bodies are the following:

 

  • First, chloride helps regulate fluid balance in and out of body cells.

  • Second, chloride is a component of stomach acid, and it helps with the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients.

  • Third, chloride transmits nerve impulses and signals.

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How much chloride is needed by the human body?

Table salt is the primary source of chloride. As processed foods also contain salt, they are an additional source of chloride.

 

The recommended adequate intake (AI) of chloride for people ages fourteen to fifty is 2.3 grams daily. The AI of chloride for women pregnant or lactating is 2.3 grams daily; for ages 51-70 is 2 grams daily; and for ages 71+ is 1.8 grams daily.

 

AI means Adequate Intake. The definition of Adequate Intake (AI) means intake at this level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy.

 

Chloride deficiency is rare as chloride accounts for 60% of salt, and the left 40% of salt is sodium. In addition, salt is a standard part of the diet, and it is not likely for healthy people to have a chloride deficiency.

 

The UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level) of chloride is 3600 milligrams daily for people 14 years and older including females in pregnancy and lactation.

 

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects for almost all people. Members of the general population should not routinely exceed the UL.

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