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Chlorine (Cl) as a dietary mineral
In a nutshell

In a nutshell

  • Chlorine is most commonly found in the human diet as sodium chloride or regular table salt.
  • Table salt provides enough chlorine in most diets.
Key sources:
Table salt

Table salt

eggs

Eggs

Vegetables

Vegetables

Chicken

Chicken liver

Essential for:
Blood

Blood

Stomach

Digestive system

Liver

Liver

Chlorine

Chlorine- in its natural elemental form is a poisonous gas. Rarely found naturally in its gaseous form, this element is generally found combined with other elements in a salt form called chloride. When this element combines with certain other elements such as potassium or sodium, essential minerals are formed. Chlorine is most commonly found in the human diet as sodium chloride or regular table salt.

Chlorine (In the form of chloride ions) combines with elements such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium to maintain proper fluid balance within cells as electrolytes. This helps keep an appropriate balance of fluids for proper cell hydration and functioning. This nutrient is also essential for healthy joints and connective tissues and in the distribution of hormones throughout the body. Chlorine is necessary for healthy digestion- it secreted by the stomach in the form of hydrochloric acid to regulate the activity of digestive enzymes. Chlorine functions to stimulate the liver to help remove waste and toxins from the body.

Chlorine deficiency
In today's diet, there is little risk of deficiency. However, deficiencies may occur with excessive loss of fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, and even profuse sweating. Deficiency may result in
• dehydration,
• lethargy,
• loss of appetite,
• muscle weakness.
Chlorine overdose

While the body typically excretes excess amounts of chloride from the body, continued high amounts in the diet may result in an overdose. This is generally due to the excess sodium in the common chloride compound. Symptoms may include fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and pH imbalance. Excess chloride produces free radicals, leading to cell damage.

Maximum Recommended Allowance
Tolerable upper intake levels are set at a range from 2300 mg/day for young children and up to 3600 mg/day for teens and adults - it is  equivalent of one teaspoon of table salt.
Sources of chlorine
Table salt provides enough chlorine in most diets. Other sources include:
• Table salt (1 teaspoon) - 3650 mg;
• Egg, yolk, raw, fresh (100g) - 1267 mg;
• Chicken liver (100g) -327 mg;
• Egg, whole, raw, fresh (100g) -294 mg;
• Tofu, fried (100g) -106 mg;
• Tomatoes, sun-dried (100g) -104 mg;
It was named "Chlorine" from the ancient Greek word ...

This element is a yellow-green gas that easily combines with other elements to form compounds. Confirmed as an element in 1810, it was named "Chlorine" from the ancient Greek word for "pale green."

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