Nitrite Ion is a symmetric anion with equal N–O bond lengths. Nitrite is important in biochemistry as a source of the potent vasodilator nitric oxide. Nitrate or nitrite (ingested) under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation has been classified as "Probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A) by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. Sodium nitrite is used for the curing of meat because it prevents bacterial growth and, as it is a reducing agent (opposite of oxidation agent), in a reaction with the meat's myoglobin, gives the product a desirable pink-red "fresh" color, such as with corned beef. This use of nitrite goes back to the Middle Ages, and in the US has been formally used since 1925. Because of the relatively high toxicity of nitrite (the lethal dose in humans is about 22 milligrams per kilogram of body weight), the maximum allowed nitrite concentration in meat products is 200 ppm. At these levels, some 80 to 90% of the nitrite in the average U.S. diet is not from cured meat products, but from natural nitrite production from vegetable nitrate intake. Under certain conditions – especially during cooking – nitrites in meat can react with degradation products of amino acids, forming nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. However, the role of nitrites (and to some extent nitrates) in preventing botulism by preventing C. botulinum endospores from germinating have prevented the complete removal of nitrites from cured meat, and indeed by definition in the U.S., meat cannot be labeled as "cured" without nitrite addition. They are considered irreplaceable in the prevention of botulinum poisoning from consumption of cured dry sausages by preventing spore germination. Nitrite is a member of the drug class antidotes and is used to treat Cyanide Poisoning.

Phosphate is a major intracellular anion in mammals. Hydrogen phopshate is a protonated form of phosphate. In serum, phosphate exists in two forms, dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4) and its salt, mono-hydrogen phosphate (HPO4). At the physiologic pH of 7.40, the pK of H2PO4 is 6.8 and the ratio of HPO4 to H2PO4 is 4:1. Altered level of phosphate can be an indicator of various disorders, such as chronic renal failure, hypoparathyroidism, familial intermittent hyperphosphatemia, endocrine disorders, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, juvenile hypogonadism, etc. These disorders may lead to either hyper- or hypophosphatemia, which can be caused by cellular shifts of phosphate. Patients with hypophosphatemia can be treated with dietary phosphate supplements (potassium phosphate, for example).

Phosphate is a major intracellular anion in mammals. Hydrogen phopshate is a protonated form of phosphate. In serum, phosphate exists in two forms, dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4) and its salt, mono-hydrogen phosphate (HPO4). At the physiologic pH of 7.40, the pK of H2PO4 is 6.8 and the ratio of HPO4 to H2PO4 is 4:1. Altered level of phosphate can be an indicator of various disorders, such as chronic renal failure, hypoparathyroidism, familial intermittent hyperphosphatemia, endocrine disorders, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, juvenile hypogonadism, etc. These disorders may lead to either hyper- or hypophosphatemia, which can be caused by cellular shifts of phosphate. Patients with hypophosphatemia can be treated with dietary phosphate supplements (potassium phosphate, for example).

SULFATE (as sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate) is a component of SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit. It is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults. Sulfate salts provide sulfate anions, which are poorly absorbed. The osmotic effect of unabsorbed sulfate anions and the associated cations causes water to be retained within the gastrointestinal tract. SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit, when ingested with a large volume of water, produces copious watery diarrhea.

SULFATE (as sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate) is a component of SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit. It is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults. Sulfate salts provide sulfate anions, which are poorly absorbed. The osmotic effect of unabsorbed sulfate anions and the associated cations causes water to be retained within the gastrointestinal tract. SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit, when ingested with a large volume of water, produces copious watery diarrhea.

Phosphate is a major intracellular anion in mammals. Hydrogen phopshate is a protonated form of phosphate. In serum, phosphate exists in two forms, dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4) and its salt, mono-hydrogen phosphate (HPO4). At the physiologic pH of 7.40, the pK of H2PO4 is 6.8 and the ratio of HPO4 to H2PO4 is 4:1. Altered level of phosphate can be an indicator of various disorders, such as chronic renal failure, hypoparathyroidism, familial intermittent hyperphosphatemia, endocrine disorders, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, juvenile hypogonadism, etc. These disorders may lead to either hyper- or hypophosphatemia, which can be caused by cellular shifts of phosphate. Patients with hypophosphatemia can be treated with dietary phosphate supplements (potassium phosphate, for example).

SULFATE (as sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate) is a component of SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit. It is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults. Sulfate salts provide sulfate anions, which are poorly absorbed. The osmotic effect of unabsorbed sulfate anions and the associated cations causes water to be retained within the gastrointestinal tract. SUPREP Bowel Prep Kit, when ingested with a large volume of water, produces copious watery diarrhea.

The ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic ion with the chemical formula NH4+. Ammonium ions are a waste product of the metabolism of animals. In fish and aquatic invertebrates, it is excreted directly into the water. In mammals, sharks, and amphibians, it is converted in the urea cycle to urea, because urea is less toxic and can be stored more efficiently. In birds, reptiles, and terrestrial snails, metabolic ammonium is converted into uric acid, which is solid and can therefore be excreted with minimal water loss. Ammonium is an important source of nitrogen for many plant species, especially those growing on hypoxic soils. However, it is also toxic to most crop species and is rarely applied as a sole nitrogen source. The ammonium ion (NH4+) in the body plays an important role in the maintenance of acid-base balance. The kidney uses ammonium (NH4+) in place of sodium (Na+) to combine with fixed anions in maintaining acid-base balance, especially as a homeostatic compensatory mechanism in metabolic acidosis. When a loss of hydrogen ions (H+) occurs and serum chloride (Cl–) decreases, sodium is made available for combination with bicarbonate (HCO3–). This creates an excess of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) which leads to a rise in blood pH and a state of metabolic alkalosis. The therapeutic effects of Ammonium (as Ammonium Chloride) depend upon the ability of the kidney to utilize ammonia in the excretion of an excess of fixed anions and the conversion of ammonia to urea by the liver, thereby liberating hydrogen (H+) and chloride (Cl–) ions into the extracellular fluid.

Phosphate is a major intracellular anion in mammals. Hydrogen phopshate is a protonated form of phosphate. In serum, phosphate exists in two forms, dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4) and its salt, mono-hydrogen phosphate (HPO4). At the physiologic pH of 7.40, the pK of H2PO4 is 6.8 and the ratio of HPO4 to H2PO4 is 4:1. Altered level of phosphate can be an indicator of various disorders, such as chronic renal failure, hypoparathyroidism, familial intermittent hyperphosphatemia, endocrine disorders, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, juvenile hypogonadism, etc. These disorders may lead to either hyper- or hypophosphatemia, which can be caused by cellular shifts of phosphate. Patients with hypophosphatemia can be treated with dietary phosphate supplements (potassium phosphate, for example).

Nitrite Ion is a symmetric anion with equal N–O bond lengths. Nitrite is important in biochemistry as a source of the potent vasodilator nitric oxide. Nitrate or nitrite (ingested) under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation has been classified as "Probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A) by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. Sodium nitrite is used for the curing of meat because it prevents bacterial growth and, as it is a reducing agent (opposite of oxidation agent), in a reaction with the meat's myoglobin, gives the product a desirable pink-red "fresh" color, such as with corned beef. This use of nitrite goes back to the Middle Ages, and in the US has been formally used since 1925. Because of the relatively high toxicity of nitrite (the lethal dose in humans is about 22 milligrams per kilogram of body weight), the maximum allowed nitrite concentration in meat products is 200 ppm. At these levels, some 80 to 90% of the nitrite in the average U.S. diet is not from cured meat products, but from natural nitrite production from vegetable nitrate intake. Under certain conditions – especially during cooking – nitrites in meat can react with degradation products of amino acids, forming nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. However, the role of nitrites (and to some extent nitrates) in preventing botulism by preventing C. botulinum endospores from germinating have prevented the complete removal of nitrites from cured meat, and indeed by definition in the U.S., meat cannot be labeled as "cured" without nitrite addition. They are considered irreplaceable in the prevention of botulinum poisoning from consumption of cured dry sausages by preventing spore germination. Nitrite is a member of the drug class antidotes and is used to treat Cyanide Poisoning.