Doctors frequently administer blood tests to measure the levels of vitamin B-12 in patients. This vitamin assists in a number of complex body processes, including methylation of DNA in the body. Keeping adequate levels of this vitamin in your body...
Weight loss in the elderly is common. However, when accompanied by other symptoms or when the weight loss is sudden; you should see your doctor. Sudden weight loss accompanied by elevated liver enzymes in the elderly may be a sign of something...
There are four main types of dietary fats: saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats. Although you should eliminate trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats from your diet, saturated and unsaturated fats are OK to...
Vitamin B-12 is just one of the B vitamins you need for health and proper functioning. This essential vitamin is found primarily in beef, poultry and fish, as well as in supplement form. A simple blood test can determine the amount of B-12 in the...
The liver, an organ located in the right side of the abdomen, is responsible for breaking down glucose, making proteins and metabolizing medications and alcohol. Sometimes, the liver can become scarred or infected. Sometimes, the cells within the...
Liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma, is a debilitating disease that is often caused by a scarring of the liver. This scarring, or cirrhosis, may be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, hepatitis, or excessive iron intake....
Elevated liver enzymes are the result of inflamed or injured liver cells, which may indicate a temporary condition or a chronic disorder. The most common liver enzymes on blood tests are ALT, or alanine transaminase, and AST, or aspartate...
The liver stores glucose for future energy needs and breaks down this stored energy when the body needs it. It filters toxic substances out of the bloodstream, breaks down fats and makes proteins and substances to help form clots. When it is...
Hepatitis C is the infection of the hepatitis C virus, or HCV, that leads to the inflammation of the liver. Unprotected sex, drug abuse, blood transfusion, and long-term kidney dialysis are the major risk factors for hepatitis C. Chronic HCV...
Your body needs vitamin K2 for functions such as blood clotting. The small intestine can form some vitamin K2; however, supplementation may benefit health in a number of ways. Talk to your doctor before beginning a vitamin regimen to prevent,...
Of the K vitamins, K-2 is one of the most bioavailable forms, meaning that it can be readily used by the body. Although vitamin K-2 is produced by the body, supplementation may help improve health conditions, especially where a deficiency is...
Physicians use liver function tests to measure how well the liver is functioning as well as to indicate the presence of a disease and manage liver diseases. MayoClinic.com notes that some of the things liver function tests look at include proteins...
The liver serves many functions. It stores glucose so you have an energy reserve, makes and stores proteins, makes hormones and the factors that are needed for clotting, and gets rid of toxins. Several diseases can affect the liver and impair its...
Diabetes is a disease caused by insufficient insulin. Although more prevalent in type 2 diabetics insulin resistance is fairly common in type 1 diabetics. Insulin resistance refers to a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to circulating levels of...
Since the liver is the major site of ethanol metabolism, it sustains the most damage from chronic alcohol consumption. Alcoholism has long been associated with aggressive liver diseases such as cirrhosis and cancer. Curcumin, the biologically...
Testosterone plays an important role in your physical and mental health. Elevated levels of this hormone cause unwanted hair growth and feelings of aggression. Ovarian and adrenal tumors sometimes cause these symptoms in women, according to a May...
The development of liver cancer is linked to several known risk factors including liver infections, cirrhosis, genetic disorders, lifestyle choices and toxin exposures. The American Cancer Society reports more than 22,500 Americans were newly...
