According to Janet Thomas, M.D., of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, approximately 1 in 1,500 children has a congenital metabolic disease. Called inborn errors of metabolism, just one defective gene...
Metabolic diseases and disorders occur when your organs and tissues, such as the pancreas, liver, kidneys or muscles, become damaged or dysfunctional, causing abnormal chemical reactions that induce too much or too little of one or more biological...
Metabolism is a body process in which energy is acquired from ingested food. Chemicals in the body break food down into sugars and acids, which provide energy to the body. This energy may be used immediately or stored in the body for later use,...
Lipids are various types of body fats, including cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and others. Fats have many vital roles, ranging from facilitating transmission of nerve impulses to serving as building blocks for...
The bones of the human body are in constant action. Beyond giving the body its form and protecting internal organs, bones have their own set of building processes, in which their formations are regenerated through bone-building cells....
Bone tissue consists of cells surrounded by a substance called calcified matrix, which contains minerals like calcium and phosphorus, and proteins like collagen. The bones grow and develop throughout life--new bone is continually deposited and old...
The term metabolic bone disease describes bone abnormalities caused by disorders including rickets, or osteomalacia, and osteoporosis. Although their specific causes and symptoms vary, bone diseases generally involve weak bones and a high risk of...
The kidneys keep your body's fluid and electrolytes in balance and they filter harmful substances that can build up in the bloodstream. Some people have kidneys that are diseased or damaged, and, thus, they must carefully manage their health to...
The inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn's inflames the lining of your digestive tract. Its symptoms include bloody or watery diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and in some cases, malnutrition. Research studies have not offered substantial proof...
Studies have shown that people with type-2 diabetes, or late-onset, diabetes, are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. The mechanism underlying the correlation between diabetes and Alzheimer's is still...
Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped gland that lies directly under the muscles in the front of your neck. The thyroid gland produces different hormones that directly control your metabolism, which includes breathing, blood circulation,...
Vitamin D is a hormone-like vitamin essential for strong bones, healthy immunity and balanced mood. When you consume dietary vitamin D or produce it within your skin in response to sunlight, it needs activation by your liver to become biologically...
The skeletal system supports the human body, protects the body's vital organs, gives the basis for movement, provides the site for the development of various blood cells and stores minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. There are 33...
The metabolism of the carbohydrate glucose, which takes place in the liver, provides the energy for most of the cells and tissues. The liver of someone with chronic liver disease, however, may not be able to fulfill this function. The liver may...
The term metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions and physical functions in your body necessary for the conversion of food into energy and the use of that energy. Although many people equate metabolism with digestion, it involves much...
Numerous diseases can affect a person's metabolism. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur in a person's body to derive energy from...
Calcium is an important mineral that is utilized inside the body to signal cells, build strong bones and contract skeletal muscle. Unfortunately, if your body does not have sufficient calcium intake, it can seek to correct the deficiency by...
The biochemical processes in your body that provide energy generate toxic byproducts. The liver is responsible for filtering and detoxifying those byproducts along with other harmful substances that enter your body, such as drugs, alcohol and...
There are many disorders that can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption and metabolism. Malabsorption syndromes encompass a broad range of diseases that generally involve damage to the intestines and subsequently, difficulty absorbing...
Hypothyroidism describes the medical disorder in which the thyroid gland does not secrete its hormone, resulting in several effects on the metabolism. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a liver disorder that can develop as a result of...
Addison's disease is a rare condition in which failure of the adrenal glands to produce enough of the steroid hormones glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids leads to symptoms including low blood pressure, fainting and abnormal levels of important...
Anator-p70 is a muscle growth supplement manufactured by Muscletech and targeted to bodybuilders. Muscletech claims that the product works with your genes to manipulate master genetic muscle regulators. Anator-p70 supposedly increases genetic...
Lambrusco is a carbonated red wine with a dry flavor that is suitable for serving with sausage or cheese tortellini. While you should always drink wine -- or any alcohol -- in moderation to avoid health problems, there are some health benefits you...
Whey protein isolate is a high-quality protein that contains very little carbohydrates and fat. It’s also low in lactose, a sugar many people can’t digest. Although whey protein isolate is used by athletes to increase protein intake...
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the lower section of the front of the neck. The thyroid plays a role in the endocrine system by producing hormones that help control metabolism. In some individuals, the thyroid begins to...
Dr. Christopher Maloney of Maloney Medical in Augusta, Maine, notes that adrenal fatigue is a commonly occurring condition but can be misdiagnosed. The symptoms of adrenal fatigue can be confused with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or depression....
Having a really skinny tummy can look super sleek in swimsuits and tight tops, and it can also greatly improve your health. Stomach fat has been shown to contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes. To...
Hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder caused by a defective thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is located at the base of your throat, right above your collarbone. Your thyroid gland is responsible for releasing...
High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease all by itself, as does obesity and high blood pressure. Put these risk factors together, and your risk for cardiovascular disease skyrockets. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of factors that...
