Chloride (mineral)

a simple presentation about chloride

1. Minerals Minerals are substances found in food that your body needs for growth and health. The minerals form only a small portion of the total body weight. They form only 7% of the composition of human body. They are Inorganic elements essential to the nutrition of humans. Minerals are necessary for three main reasons: Building strong bones and teeth Controlling body fluids inside and outside cells Turning the food you eat into energy. Minerals are classified into 2 groups: Macro minerals (needed in large amounts) (Major) Micro minerals (needed in small amounts) (Minor)

2. Chloride Cl - It is a major mineral nutrient that occurs primarily in body fluids. Chloride is a prominent negatively charged ion of the blood, where it represents 70% of the body’s total negative ion content. Chloride is principle anion of body fluids and closely connected with sodium in foods, body tissues, fluids, excretions and even in its plasma concentration. It is associated with sodium and potassium in acid -base balance and osmosis. The chloride concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is higher than that in other body fluids, including the gastrointestinal secretions.

3. Sources Chloride is a part of sodium chloride with exception of fish and meat meals , the chloride contents of most of the foods is very low . The main sources of chloride ion are: Table Salt “Chlorinated” Water Leafy Vegetables Except for the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice, practically all the chlorine involved in metabolism enters, exists in, and leaves the body in the form of chlorides but much greater as sodium chloride.

4. Functions As a part of sodium chloride, chloride is essential for water balance , regulation of osmotic pressure and acid - base balance . Chloride combines with hydrogen to form hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The enzyme salivary amylase is activated by chloride ion. Chloride shift involves the active participation of Cl⁻. It is involved in the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis in the RBCs. Needed for keeping the right amounts of water in the different parts of your body which goes with Na+ and K+ to maintain fluid balance and prevent edema .

5. Concentration and Dietary Intake The normal adult range for chloride in plasma is 96-106 mEq /L. It is recommended that healthy adults between the ages of 15 and 90 consume 5-10 grams of chloride per day in order to replace the amount of chloride lost each day due to sweating . Women who are pregnant or persons who are ill require a higher intake of chloride. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) 5-10 gm Chloride is the major anion in the ECF Approximately, 88% of the chloride is found in the ECF, 12% in the ICF. Cerebrospinal fluid contains higher level of Chloride(125mEq/L).

6. Absorption Dietary Chloride: absorbed completely by the intestinal tract. It is filtered out by glomerulus and passively absorbed in conjunction with sodium by proximal tubules.

7. Excretion Chloride ion is normally excreted in the urine, sweat, and bowels. Excess sweating stimulates Aldosterone secretion ,which acts on sweat glands to conserve sodium and Chloride ions. Chloride is excreted as sodium chloride mostly by the kidney. About 2% is eliminated through feces.

8. Disorders of Chloride Metabolism Hyperchloremia and Hypochloremia ((high and low serum Chloride ions concentration respectively)) Cystic fibrosis ((Genetic Chloride channel is defective)) Achlorhydria ((Absence of HCL in gastric secretion)) Hyperchlorhydria ((Hyperchlorhydria refers to increase in concentration free acid)) Hypochlorhydria ((Hypochlorhydria refers to decrease in concentration of free acid)) Achylia Gastrica ((refers to the absence of both acids and pepsin and is associated with pernicious anemia))

9. Hypochloremia Reduction in serum chloride due to vomiting diarrhea, respiratory alkalosis, Addison's disease and excessive sweating. It is caused by GI and renal loss of chloride GI loss occurs by vomiting because Bicarbonate (HCO3) decreases. Renal loss occurs by Addison’s disease (Aldosterone decreases, renal reabsorption of chloride ion decreases, excretion of chloride ions increases Chloride ion concentration decreases). You may receive intravenous (IV) fluids, such as normal saline solution, to restore electrolytes to normal levels.

10. Hyperchloremia Increase in serum chloride due to dehydration, respiratory acidosis and Cushing's syndrome and Renal tubular acidosis. Severe diarrhea loss of bicarbonate compensatory retention of chloride Respiratory acidosis shallow breathing CO₂ conc increases H₂CO₃ conc increases HCO₃⁻decreases Cl⁻ conc increases If hyperchloremia is due to dehydration, then isotonic intravenous fluids should be given slowly without chloride.

11. References Netzer , C. The Complete Book of Vitamin and Mineral Counts; Delta, USA, 1997 2) Shane, Ellison. Over the Counter Natural Cures. Gelb SB, Anderson MP. Sources of chloride and sulfate in ground water beneath an urbanized area in Southeastern Wisconsin (Report WIS01 NTIS). Chemical abstracts, 1981, 96(2):11366g. Kaleita TA. Neurologic/behavioral syndrome associated with ingestion of chloride-deficient infant formula. Pediatrics 1986 Oct;78(4):714-5 Gropper, S.S., Smith, J.L. & Groff, J.L. (2005). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (4thEd.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth Whitney, E. & Rady Rolfes , S. (2005). Understanding Nutrition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth Schumann, Walter (5 August 2008). Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Sterling. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-4027-5339-8. OCLC 637302667. Milo, Ron; Philips, Rob. "Cell Biology by the Numbers: What are the concentrations of different ions in cells?". book.bionumbers.org. Retrieved 24 March 2017 Jentsch, Thomas J.; Stein, Valentin; Weinreich , Frank; Zdebik , Anselm A. (2002-04-01). "Molecular Structure and Physiological Function of Chloride Channels". Physiological Reviews. 82 (2): 503–568. doi:10.1152/physrev.00029.2001. ISSN 0031-9333. PMID 11917096.