Americans consume nearly 100 pounds of sugar and sweeteners each year. The #1 source? Soda and fruit drinks. On average Americans consume nearly 100 pounds of sugar and high-calorie sweeteners each year. Nearly half comes from soda or fruit drinks that contain sugar or other sweeteners; together such drinks are the top source of calories in the American diet. For more facts about our national sweet tooth, click to view todayâs infographic in full. Then join todayâs discussion below on this page.
Wilson's disease or hepatolenticular degeneration is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues; this manifests as neurological or psychiatric symptoms and liver disease.he condition is due to mutations in the Wilson disease protein (ATP7B) gene. A single abnormal copy of the gene is present in 1 in 100 people, who do not develop any symptoms (they are carriers). If a child inherits the gene from both parents, the child may develop Wilson's disease.
With Wilson disease, the copper builds up in your liver, and it releases the copper directly into your bloodstream. This can cause damage to your brain, kidneys, and eyes. Wilson disease is present at birth, but symptoms usually start between ages 5 and 35. It first attacks the liver, the central nervous system or both. The most characteristic sign is a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye. A physical exam and laboratory tests can diagnose it. Treatment is with drugs to remove the extra copper from your body.