Chloride is an essential mineral widely distributed throughout the body as an anion form of chlorine-a very poisonous gas. It forms an important negative ion for the extracellular fluid and its negative charge balances the positive charges of sodium ions to bring about electrolyte balance. Chloride helps to maintain pressure that allows fluids to enter or exit cell membranes until concentration of dissolved particles have reached equilibrium on both sides of the cell membranes.
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Chloride is a component of hydrochloric acid that it is produced by the stomach and a part of the immune defense when white cells attack foreign cells. It helps in the removal of toxic waste such as carbon dioxide by way of air exhaled by the lungs. It also aids the preservation of joint shape and quality of tendons and helps the distribution of hormones. Highest concentrations of chloride in the body are found in the gastrointestinal tract secretions and cerebrospinal fluid.
Chloride is provided almost exclusively in the diet from sodium chloride or salt added in food preparation. Foods that are naturally good sources of chloride are ripe olives, rye, seaweed, and some fruit and vegetables. Chloride is almost completely absorbed in the small intestine and colon and excreted through the kidneys, skin and gastrointestinal tract. The minimum requirement of chloride for health is 700 mg per day. A deficiency is unlikely as intake of salt is usually too high.
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