What Causes Mineral Deficiencies?

4. Sodium And Chloride

The body requires small quantities of sodium chloride or table salt to help balance the level of fluids. Chloride is also essential for digestion as it pairs with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid, a digestive enzyme required for the breakdown of food. Sodium chloride deficiencies are uncommon as people today are more likely to overconsume salt. Overconsumption can cause hypertension and heart disease. Salt occurs naturally at low levels in many foods. In addition, frozen meals, cheese, processed meat, canned foods, and some breakfast cereals contain added salt.