Zinc and copper not effective for acute diarrhea

Purpose of study: Zinc and copper are lost in significant amounts in acute diarrhea and zinc has been suggested as a therapy for its possible facilitation of water and electrolyte transport across intestinal mucosa to prevent villous atrophy and modulate immune response. This study evaluated whether or not zinc and copper supplementation had any beneficialContinue reading “Zinc and copper not effective for acute diarrhea”

Armour Thyroid vs Synthroid

Armour thyroid is the “natural” therapy from dessicated porcine thyroid gland while Synthroid is produced synthetically as levothyroxine. Armour thyroid contains both T3 and T4 while Synthroid only contains T4. There is debate on whether or not use of both or one is better. Synthroid came into use because it was standardized unlike the naturalContinue reading “Armour Thyroid vs Synthroid”

What Controls Basal Metabolic Rate

To regulate basal metabolic rate, the thyroid gland synthesizes hormones thyroxine, or triiodo-L-thyronine (T4), and the more active triiodo-L-tyronine (T3) (1).When secreted into the bloodstream, they associate with transport proteins (thyroxine-binding globulin, albumin, and transthyretin), which circulate the hormones (2). There is nearly 50 times T4 than there is T3, but T3 is more potent.Continue reading “What Controls Basal Metabolic Rate”

Iron Deficiency Symptoms

As iron deficiency develops gradually without anemia, symptoms can appear that can include pallor and problems of behavior, cognition, learning and attention span. These can particularly manifest themselves in children. Adults may witness problems related to work performance and productivity. The effects may be related to impairment of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) used toContinue reading “Iron Deficiency Symptoms”

Hemochromatosis a Neolithic adaptation?

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder caused by one of several mutations related to double-than-normal iron absorption, which increases susceptibility to iron overload (1). Although the disorder affects about one in 200 in the U.S., it’s still largely unrecognized and can lead to deposits in organs—such as the liver—leading to organ damage and failure if notContinue reading “Hemochromatosis a Neolithic adaptation?”

Korsakoff syndrome

Korsakoff’s syndrome, or Wernicke encephalopathy, is a serious neurological disorder occurring under conditions of thiamine deficiency. It’s usually caused by long-term abuse of alcohol, which breaks down thiamine in the body. It is characterized at autopsy by lesions in the brain stem. Thiamine is necessary for proper glucose metabolism in the brain (1). As aContinue reading “Korsakoff syndrome”

Diabetes: Women and Men

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both men and women, but CVD pathogenesis biochemistry can differ between the sexes. Both sexes are affected by insulin resistance, which generally precedes the diabetes, and accompanying metabolic syndrome factors dyslipidemia and hypertension (1). The insulin resistance leads to elevatedContinue reading “Diabetes: Women and Men”