Dietary deficiency of chloride

The element chlorine is a poisonous gas. When chlorine reacts with sodium or hydrogen, however it forms the negative chloride ion. Chloride, an essential nutrient, is required in the diet.

Chloride accounts for approximately 0.2% of the body’s weight and it is widely distributed throughout tissues.

Chloride losses may occur in conditions such as heavy sweating, chronic diarrhea, and vomiting. Because the normal intake and output of chloride from the body parallels that of sodium, conditions leading to a sodium deficiency also can lead to a chloride deficiency.

Severe deficiency may result in alkalis (an excess of alkali in the blood), which is characterized by slow and shallow breathing, listlessness, muscle cramps, loss appetite and occasionally convulsion.
Dietary deficiency of chloride