Re: what happens toyour body when a deficentcy of chlorine occurs?

Aloha, Scott,
     I need to restate your question.  I believe that you may have meant 
'chloride' rather than 'chlorine.'  Chlorine (two atoms of chlorine bonded 
together, actually) is a gas and quite toxic.  Chloride is the ion 
(negatively-charged particle)...and is found in living tissue.  Chloride is 
considered a nutrient for humans.  That is, chloride is necessary for life.
     The information that I'm passing on to you comes from the textbook 
that I use to teach introductory nutrition, here at University of Hawai`i 
at Manoa.  That text, Contemporary Nutrition, by Gordon Wardlaw, identifies 
chloride as the major ion in the fluid found outside of the cells.  It also 
is part of the hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach (which helps in 
the digestion of proteins that you eat);  it is important in the 
functioning of the immune system;  and, it helps your nervous system 
function by aiding in the transmission of nerve impulses along nerve cells. 
    If you don't have enough chloride in your body, it can lead to problems 
in the nervous system...sort of makes sense, doesn't it?  In infants who 
have been accidently given baby formula with the chloride left out, they 
develop convulsions and have been known to die from chloride deficiency.
     Too much chloride in the diet may have some effect on blood pressure. 
Along with sodium (as in table salt:  sodium chloride), an excess of 
chloride seems to be a factor in some people developing high blood 
pressure.  However, this is only one of about ten different possible causes 
of high blood pressure.
     You are at almost no risk for being chloride deficient, if you are 
eating a normal, US diet.  We get plenty of sodium chloride 
(salt)...probably way more than you actually need.  This is not a danger, 
though, since your body has ways of getting rid of the excess chloride if 
you are taking in a lot.  If you were very sick and vomiting a lot for 
several days, then you might actually be losing enough chloride (and other 
ions) to where you might be at risk for chloride deficiency. Treatment for 
this is simply some water with a little bit of sugar and salt...called 
'oral rehydration therapy.'
     Most of your chloride probably does come from table salt and salt used 
in processed foods.  You might be getting a little from some fruits and 
vegetables, too. The minimum chloride requirement for health is about 700 
milligrams for someone your age...however, we take in maybe 2-3 times that 
amount.  So, there is no need for you to consider getting chloride from any 
supplements.