Metabolic disorders – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 by Ralph Flores

Metabolic disorders refer to any condition that interferes with metabolism – the process by which the body transforms the nutrients it receives from food (i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) to essential substances it needs to function.

Given its broad scope, the condition covers a lot of disorders. However, a metabolic disorder covers at least one of the following conditions:

A missing enzyme needed for a chemical reaction;
An abnormal chemical reaction that interferes with metabolism;
A disease in the liver, endocrine glands, or other organs that are part of a metabolic process; and/or
Nutritional deficiencies.

Metabolic disorders also cover mitochondrial diseases, which affect the cell’s ability to process energy.

Diabetes mellitus, a condition that affects over 400 million people around the world, is an example of a metabolic disorder.

Known risk factors and kinds of metabolic disorders

For the most part, a metabolic disorder is caused by either an impairment in function in certain organs, deficient or lacking enzymes caused by genetics, or a consuming too much of certain food items.

In particular, inherited metabolic disorders – genetic conditions that are inherited from a parent – affect at least one in 5,000 newborns. Parents who have had a child with a metabolic disorder may also produce offspring that are affected by the condition. Certain racial and ethnic groups are also predisposed to certain metabolic disorders. Sickle cell anemia, the presence of distorted red blood cells, is common among people from Africa. Those of European descent, on the other hand, are more prone to get cystic fibrosis, a progressive disease that leads to lung infections and impairs breathing over time.

There are a lot of inherited metabolic disorders. Some examples include the following.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited congenital disorder that causes LDL cholesterol levels to run very high.
Gaucher disease is a rare, inherited disorder that results in the buildup of fatty substances in the spleen, liver, lungs, bones, and at times, the brain. This is a lipid metabolism disorder caused by the body’s inability to produce an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase.
Hunter syndrome, medically referred to as mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), is a condition where the body does not have enough or completely lacks an enzyme needed to process long chains of sugar molecules, which causes them to be deposited in different parts of the body and cause problems.
Krabbe disease is a severe neurological condition marked by the buildup of lipids that can destroy brain cells.
Maple syrup urine disease is an inherited disorder that gets its name from the distinctive sweet odor of infants affected with the condition. It is caused by the inability of the body to process certain amino acids properly.
Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a metabolic disorder characterized by the buildup of a fatty acid called sulfatide in the brain and other areas of the body.
Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a multi-organ disorder that causes the accumulation of lactic acid in the body. People with MELAS can experience symptoms similar to a stroke before age 40.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited disorder that is caused by the body’s inability to process an amino acid called phenylalanine, causing it to accumulate in the body.
Nieman-Pick is a condition that results from the body’s inability to break down cholesterol and lipids within cells.
Tay-Sachs disease is an inherited disorder that destroys neurons in the brain and in the spinal cord.
Wilson disease is a condition where the liver is unable to discharge excess copper from the body. This results in a buildup of the chemical in the brain, eyes, and other organs.

Body systems affected by metabolic disorders

Metabolic disorders, for the most part, affect various organ systems in the body, depending on its type and severity.

If left untreated, metabolic disorders are not only serious, but they can potentially be fatal in certain cases. Complications can include organ failure and dysfunction, seizures and tremors, and comas.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent or relieve metabolic disorders

Most metabolic disorders affect how the body processes certain proteins and fats – in particular, amino acids and lipids. Thus, healthcare professionals recommend a low-protein diet to prevent the accumulation of amino acids in the body.

In a low-protein diet, the following foods are avoided:

Meat, poultry, and fish
Nuts and legumes, including peanut butter
Dairy products like milk and cheese

Food items such as potatoes and pasta which are high in starch, as well as fruits and vegetables should be eaten in controlled amounts. Olive oil can also be used in meal preparation, as it contains needed dietary fat but no protein.

Treatment and management options for metabolic disorders

The first step in treating metabolic disorders is to seek the advice of a healthcare professional. He will then provide a treatment approach for the condition, which will address the specific disorder that a person has. For cases of inherited metabolic disorders, this is treated with nutritional counseling and support, regular monitoring, physical therapy, as well as other supportive care options.

Those with acquired metabolic disorders, such as those from consumption of certain food items, will undergo treatment to restore metabolic balance by reversing the cause and medication.

Where to learn more

Summary

Metabolic disorders interfere with metabolism, in particular: a missing enzyme needed for a chemical reaction; an abnormal chemical reaction that interferes with metabolism; a disease in the liver, endocrine glands, or other organs that are part of a metabolic process; and, nutritional deficiencies. It also covers mitochondrial diseases, which affect the cell’s ability to process energy.

Since a lot of metabolic disorders affect how the body processes amino acids and lipids. Thus, healthcare professionals recommend a low-protein diet to prevent the accumulation of amino acids in the body.

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