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Tag: Genetic disease

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

What's it called when you can't process protein? Understanding amino acid metabolism disorders

4 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, amino acid metabolism disorders affect 1 in 2,500 births collectively. A condition where you can't process protein is often called an amino acid metabolism disorder or an inborn error of metabolism. These are genetic conditions in which a specific enzyme is either missing or malfunctioning, disrupting the body's ability to break down certain amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

What causes vitamin D dependent rickets?

4 min read
Affecting fewer than 1 in 200,000 children, vitamin D dependent rickets (VDDR) is a rare genetic disorder of bone development. Unlike nutritional rickets, it is not caused by a simple lack of vitamin D in the diet but rather by inherited defects that disrupt the body's ability to properly use the vitamin.

What is it called when your body cannot break down protein?

4 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, a condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU) affects approximately 1 in 25,000 newborns in the U.S., where the body cannot break down a specific protein component. This is a prime example of what is it called when your body cannot break down protein, a situation known broadly as an inborn error of metabolism.

Why are CF patients underweight? Unpacking the Causes and Management

5 min read
According to a study on CF children, underweight was diagnosed in 28% of patients at the start of the study, and progressed to 41.2% a year later, highlighting a significant and worsening nutritional challenge. The primary reasons involve a complex interplay of malabsorption, high metabolic demand, and chronic inflammation.

What is adenine deficiency?

4 min read
Affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 individuals in Caucasian populations, adenine deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder that primarily impacts the kidneys. Caused by mutations in the *APRT* gene, this inherited condition disrupts adenine metabolism, leading to the accumulation of a toxic byproduct that can cause severe health problems if left untreated.

What is the diet for tyrosinemia? A comprehensive dietary guide

3 min read
Affecting approximately one in 100,000 live births in the United States, tyrosinemia requires lifelong dietary management to prevent severe health complications. The core of this treatment involves a strictly controlled, low-protein diet to limit the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine.

Understanding the Symptoms of Serine Deficiency

4 min read
Serine deficiency disorders are a group of rare neurometabolic diseases caused by defects in the biosynthesis of the amino acid L-serine. These disorders manifest with a wide range of neurological symptoms, which can vary significantly depending on the age of onset, emphasizing the critical role of L-serine in brain development and function.

Phenylketonuria: What Is a Rare Disease That Can't Have Protein?

3 min read
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare inherited disorder that affects approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 babies born in the United States. It is the most well-known example of a rare disease that can't have protein in the conventional sense, as it involves the body's inability to metabolize a specific amino acid found in protein.