Chlorine: Antiseptic or Cancer Provoker?
Chlor (Cl)
For humans – antiseptic or cancer provocateur?
Chlorine, like sodium, is an element of table salt and is also vital for the human body. It is one of the main elements of water-salt metabolism in all living organisms.
The daily requirement of the human body for chlorine is about 1.6–2 g. The minimum requirement for chlorine is about 800 mg per day. An infant receives the necessary amount of chlorine through breast milk, which contains 11 mmol/L of chlorine.
A diet without added table salt would contain about 1.6 g of chlorine.
A typical diet contains an excess amount of chlorine – 7–10 g. The majority of chlorine (up to 90%) is obtained by adults from table salt. About 4 g of chlorine is obtained from bread and 1.5–4.6 g from table salt.
A typical diet contains an excess amount of chlorine – 7–10 g. The majority of chlorine (up to 90%) is obtained by adults from table salt. About 4 g of chlorine is obtained from bread and 1.5–4.6 g from table salt.
The body of an average person (body weight – 70 kg) contains 95 g of chlorine. About 85% of chlorine is found in the extracellular space. Human muscle tissue contains 0.20–0.52% chlorine; bone – 0.09%; blood plasma – 0.35%.
Chlorine accumulates in visceral tissue, skin, and skeletal muscles. In the stomach and skeleton of humans, the chlorine content is three times higher than in other organs and tissues. In cells, 10–15% of total chlorine is accumulated, of which 1/3 to 1/2 is in erythrocytes.
Chlorine is primarily absorbed in the large intestine. The absorption and excretion of chlorine are closely related to sodium ions and bicarbonates, to a lesser extent – to mineralocorticoids and the activity of Na+/K+–ATPase.
Chlorine is excreted from the body mainly through urine (90–95%), feces (4–8%), and through the skin (up to 2%). Chlorine excretion is associated with sodium and potassium ions, and reciprocally – with HCO3– (acid-base balance).
Chlorine accumulates in visceral tissue, skin, and skeletal muscles. In the stomach and skeleton of humans, the chlorine content is three times higher than in other organs and tissues. In cells, 10–15% of total chlorine is accumulated, of which 1/3 to 1/2 is in erythrocytes.
Chlorine is primarily absorbed in the large intestine. The absorption and excretion of chlorine are closely related to sodium ions and bicarbonates, to a lesser extent – to mineralocorticoids and the activity of Na+/K+–ATPase.
Chlorine is excreted from the body mainly through urine (90–95%), feces (4–8%), and through the skin (up to 2%). Chlorine excretion is associated with sodium and potassium ions, and reciprocally – with HCO3– (acid-base balance).
Biological role in the human body. In animals and humans, chloride ions participate in maintaining osmotic balance; the chloride ion has an optimal radius for penetrating cell membranes. This explains its joint participation with sodium and potassium ions in creating constant osmotic pressure and regulating water-salt metabolism. Under the influence of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), chloride ions exert an inhibitory effect on neurons by reducing the action potential. Chloride channels are present in many cell types, mitochondrial membranes, and skeletal muscles. These channels perform important functions in regulating fluid volume, trans-epithelial transport of ions, and stabilizing membrane potentials, participating in maintaining cell pH.
In the stomach, chloride ions create a favorable environment for the action of proteolytic enzymes in gastric juice; it is a component of hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach, necessary for the digestion of most food products. Chlorine is important for the formation of blood plasma, acts as an activator of certain enzymes, and plays a significant role in maintaining the acid-base balance of blood. It participates in all biochemical reactions that occur with the involvement of sodium.
Chlorine also plays an important role in the body by maintaining normal fluid balance. It is often assumed that consuming the recommended daily allowance of sodium automatically includes the chlorine requirement. However, recent findings suggest that this is not always the case.
In the stomach, chloride ions create a favorable environment for the action of proteolytic enzymes in gastric juice; it is a component of hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach, necessary for the digestion of most food products. Chlorine is important for the formation of blood plasma, acts as an activator of certain enzymes, and plays a significant role in maintaining the acid-base balance of blood. It participates in all biochemical reactions that occur with the involvement of sodium.
Chlorine also plays an important role in the body by maintaining normal fluid balance. It is often assumed that consuming the recommended daily allowance of sodium automatically includes the chlorine requirement. However, recent findings suggest that this is not always the case.
Synergists and antagonists of chlorine. Chlorine is a synergist of sodium.
Chlorine deficiency may occur in diseases of the stomach and duodenum, where the chlorine content is significantly reduced. Chlorine deficiency may also occur with adherence to a salt-free diet, which is prescribed for hypertension, kidney diseases, and other conditions.
Signs of chlorine deficiency: loss of taste and appetite, nausea, lethargy, muscle weakness.
Chlorine and its compounds are very toxic.
The main manifestation of chlorine excess is growth inhibition.
Chlorination for water disinfection was recognized as a panacea in the 1820s by European doctors concerned about the extremely high mortality rates due to emerging epidemics. Free chlorine in water oxidizes and kills microorganisms; however, it also interacts with other substances, forming toxic compounds.
The main manifestation of chlorine excess is growth inhibition.
Chlorination for water disinfection was recognized as a panacea in the 1820s by European doctors concerned about the extremely high mortality rates due to emerging epidemics. Free chlorine in water oxidizes and kills microorganisms; however, it also interacts with other substances, forming toxic compounds.
Scientists suggest that chlorine excess, as well as the accumulation of products from its interaction with other substances, may be a cause of increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, allergic reactions, and miscarriages in pregnant women. Scientific studies show that the consumption of chlorinated water is often associated with an increase in bladder cancer and the occurrence of rectal cancer. It has even been noted that chlorine-related toxins may be “the most important environmental carcinogens causing tumors.”
The use of disinfected (chlorinated) drinking water, as well as visiting indoor swimming pools, may lead to allergic reactions associated with chlorine exposure. Children who regularly use indoor pools for swimming may also be more prone to developing asthma – chlorine used in pools for water purification can increase the risk sixfold. This occurs because the by-products of chlorination contaminate the air in the pool area, irritating the airways and lungs, making them more susceptible to allergens.
The use of disinfected (chlorinated) drinking water, as well as visiting indoor swimming pools, may lead to allergic reactions associated with chlorine exposure. Children who regularly use indoor pools for swimming may also be more prone to developing asthma – chlorine used in pools for water purification can increase the risk sixfold. This occurs because the by-products of chlorination contaminate the air in the pool area, irritating the airways and lungs, making them more susceptible to allergens.
Chlorine is necessary: in diseases of the stomach and duodenum.
Food sources of chlorine. Chlorine is usually consumed in excess through food in the form of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Foods particularly rich in chlorine include bread, meat, and dairy products; among plant sources, these include black radish and kelp (seaweed).