Chloride

What It Is
Chloride is a component of hydrochloric (stomach) acid. This mineral is also found in various salt products. Natural and synthetic supplements are available.

What It Does
Chloride helps maintain the acid balance in the body's cells and fluids.

Why You Need It
Chloride is essential to good health. Without it, the delicate chemical balance in the body will go awry.

Can You Take Too Much?
Too much--or too little--chloride in your system can lead to weakness or confusion. At the extreme, you could go into a coma.

Recommended Daily Allowances

ADULTS


The RDA for everyone 18 years of age and older is 1.75 to 5.1 grams.

CHILDREN
Infants up to 6 months: 0.275 to 0.7 grams
Ages 6 to 12 months: 0.4 to 1.2 grams
Ages 1 to 3 years: 0.5 to 1.5 grams
Ages 4 to 6 years: 0.7 to 2.1 grams
Ages 7 to 10 years: 0.925 to 2.775 grams
Ages 11 to 17 years: 1.4 to 4.2 grams

Best Dietary Sources:
Most of our chloride intake comes from table salt, which contains sodium chloride; salt substitutes, which contain potassium chloride; and sea salt.

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Revised: June 10, 2006 .