Chlorine Cl Atomic Number: 17 Atomic Weight: 35.45 _____________________________________________________________________________ Human Physiology: - Needed for protein digestion - Helps regulate acid-base balance - Necessary for B12 absorption as well as other essential metallic minerals - Essential part of hydrochloric acid (digestive stomach acid) - RDA: 1.8-5.1 g/day Prevalence: - Exists abundantly in seawater and in the earth's crust Source: - Salt - Sea water - Celery, tomatoes, olives, lettuce - Salt substitutes (potassium chloride) Deficiency: - Metabolic alkalosis - Apathy - Dehydration - Slowed growth and delayed speech in children Excess: - Edema - Increased blood pressure - Increased risk for some cancers