Skip to content

Tag: Metabolic disorder

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

Why Does Phenylalanine Need to Be Broken Down? Understanding the Metabolic Necessity

4 min read
Approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States are affected by Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder where the body cannot properly break down phenylalanine. This vital process of breaking down phenylalanine is necessary to prevent the amino acid from accumulating to toxic levels, which can lead to serious and irreversible neurological damage if left untreated.

What do people with VLCAD eat?

4 min read
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Very Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (VLCADD) is a genetic condition affecting the body's ability to convert certain long-chain fats into energy. This means individuals must follow a strictly managed diet focused on restricting these fats while ensuring a constant supply of energy from other sources.

What type of diet is recommended for a person with PKU?

5 min read
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States, identified through routine newborn screening. The recommended diet is a strict, lifelong low-protein eating plan that significantly restricts phenylalanine intake to prevent severe health consequences, especially brain damage.

Understanding the Essential Diet for Isovaleric Aciduria

4 min read
Isovaleric aciduria (IVA) affects approximately 1 in 250,000 individuals worldwide, making it a rare inherited metabolic disorder. For those affected, the diet is not merely a recommendation but a foundational part of daily management to prevent life-threatening metabolic crises.

What is Feeding Tube Syndrome? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Explained

6 min read
In critical care, one serious but preventable metabolic disturbance is feeding tube syndrome, a potentially fatal condition caused by a feeding regimen that provides insufficient water relative to its high protein content. This metabolic imbalance can profoundly affect a patient's fluid and electrolyte levels, requiring urgent medical correction.

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.

Which Excipients Should Be Avoided in Patients with Phenylketonuria?

4 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), any product containing the artificial sweetener aspartame must include a warning for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU). This essential labeling requirement highlights the most critical excipient to avoid for those managing this rare genetic metabolic disorder.

What Does a PKU Diet Look Like? An Essential Guide

3 min read
Phenylketonuria (PKU) affects approximately 1 in 10,000 newborns in the United States, making a strict, lifelong PKU diet the primary treatment for managing this rare genetic disorder. This dietary regimen is essential for preventing intellectual disability and other serious health problems caused by the accumulation of the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe).

Metabolic Disorder: The term for any disorder caused by defective nutrition or metabolism

4 min read
Over 34 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes in 2018, a common metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to process blood glucose. The medical term for a broad range of illnesses arising from problems with the body's chemical processes is metabolic disorder, an issue that can be triggered by either defective genetics or poor nutritional intake.

How to Break Down Phenylalanine: Understanding Metabolism and PKU

4 min read
Approximately 1 in 25,000 newborns in the United States are screened for phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder that prevents the body from properly processing the amino acid phenylalanine. Understanding the normal metabolic pathway is crucial for grasping why management strategies are so important for those with this condition.