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Category: Genetic disorders

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

How to Treat E3 Deficiency: A Comprehensive Guide

4 min read
Affecting less than 1 in 35,000 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, E3 deficiency—also known as Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase (DLD) deficiency—is an extremely rare inherited metabolic disorder with no established cure. Treatment for this condition focuses on managing symptoms, preventing severe metabolic episodes, and providing supportive care through a combination of dietary adjustments and supplementation.

What Causes Carnosine Deficiency? Investigating the Root Causes

4 min read
According to research published by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the rarest form of carnosine deficiency, known as carnosinemia, is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder. While this genetic condition is a key factor, a deficiency can also stem from dietary restrictions, the natural aging process, and certain neurological conditions. This article investigates the primary causes of carnosine deficiency and its potential implications.

The Crucial Role of Nutrition in the Management of Phenylketonuria

4 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, a lifelong, meticulously planned dietary regimen is the primary treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder. This strict nutritional approach is essential for controlling phenylalanine levels, thereby preventing severe health complications, particularly intellectual disability. The role of nutrition in the management of phenylketonuria is central to patient well-being from infancy throughout adulthood.

Dietary Management: How can PKU be treated by limiting phenylalanine intake?

4 min read
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States. For individuals with PKU, the primary and most critical treatment involves a strictly controlled, lifelong diet to manage the intake of the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe). This dietary approach is essential because their bodies lack the necessary enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), to properly process Phe, leading to a toxic buildup in the brain if left unchecked.

The Primary Cause of Atransferrinemia: A Genetic Perspective

4 min read
Affecting an extremely limited number of individuals worldwide, congenital atransferrinemia is a very rare genetic disease. The primary cause of atransferrinemia is a specific genetic mutation that disrupts the body's ability to transport iron, leading to a complex and paradoxical set of symptoms involving both a lack of iron delivery and toxic iron accumulation.

Which Vitamin is Deficient in Hartnup Disease?

4 min read
Hartnup disease is a rare inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism that directly impacts the body's nutrient processing, which answers the question: which vitamin is deficient in Hartnup disease? The condition is caused by a genetic defect that impairs the absorption and reabsorption of neutral amino acids, especially tryptophan.

What disease prevents you from eating protein?

4 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, phenylketonuria (PKU) affects approximately 1 in 25,000 newborns in the United States, making it one of the most well-known examples of a disease that prevents you from eating protein. This article explores several inherited metabolic disorders that require severe, lifelong protein restrictions to prevent serious health complications, such as brain damage.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID): An Example of a Primary Deficiency

4 min read
According to the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is one of over 400 types of primary immunodeficiency diseases caused by genetic changes. As a quintessential example of a primary deficiency, SCID profoundly impairs the immune system, leaving individuals susceptible to life-threatening infections.