Metabolic disease

Metabolic Disease

A metabolic disease occurs when the metabolism process fails and causes the body to have either too much or too little of the essential substances needed to stay healthy. Our bodies are very sensitive to errors in metabolism. The body must have amino acids and many types of proteins to perform all of its metabolic functions. For example, the body must have glucose, a type of sugar, to produce energy.

Types of Metabolic Diseases

There are many different types of metabolic diseases, but some are more common than others. These include:

• Diabetes: This is a condition in which the body cannot properly process food for use as energy.
• Obesity': This is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat.
• Metabolic Syndrome: This is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU): This is a birth defect that hampers the body's ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine.

Causes of Metabolic Diseases

Metabolic diseases can be caused by a variety of factors. Some people are born with a genetic disorder that makes them prone to certain metabolic diseases. Other causes can include a diet that is too high in certain types of foods, lack of physical activity, or an underlying health condition.

Treatment of Metabolic Diseases

Treatment for metabolic diseases usually involves lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. In some cases, medication or other treatments may be necessary. The goal of treatment is to help the person manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

See Also

• Endocrine System
• Metabolism
• Genetic Disorders
• Diet and Nutrition