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Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are broken down into sugars and acids, providing fuel to the body. Disruption in this process leads to metabolic disorders, which can result in serious complications affecting vital organs like the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas.​​

Metabolic disorders occur when metabolism is disrupted by abnormal chemical reactions, leading to the production of essential nutrients in amounts that are either too high or too low for the body’s needs. Any malfunction in these chemical reactions affects metabolic processes, causing substances to accumulate or become deficient, resulting in symptoms. These disorders can be particularly serious when they affect major organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas.
There are hundreds of hereditary metabolic disorders caused by various genetic defects. Some disorders can be diagnosed through routine newborn screenings, while others may only be detected when symptoms appear in children or adults. The treatment for a metabolic disorder depends on the type and severity of the condition, with recommendations ranging from dietary restrictions to liver transplants.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMDs)
Inborn errors of metabolism encompass a wide range of genetic conditions that affect metabolic processes such as amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the most common IEMDs include:
Phenylketonuria (PKU): Caused by a deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase, leading to the accumulation of phenylalanine, which can cause intellectual disability if left untreated.

Galactosemia: Results from enzyme deficiencies in galactose metabolism, leading to toxic accumulation of galactose.
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD): Caused by a deficiency in a complex enzyme, leading to the accumulation of amino acids.
Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder primarily affecting the lungs but with metabolic implications due to abnormal ion transport.
Medium-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCAD): Affects fatty acid oxidation, leading to energy production issues during fasting.
Urea Cycle Disorders: Affect the urea cycle, leading to hyperammonemia, which can cause severe neurological damage.

Mitochondria are responsible for converting energy from the food you eat into usable “currency” known as ATP, the molecular energy currency behind all biological functions. The body converts a volume of ATP equal to its entire weight every day. Mitochondria also play a critical role in cell death, maintaining and controlling the cell cycle, and reproduction, and they are involved in many diseases.

Mitochondrial function declines with age, contributing to health issues such as diabetes and heart failure. However, researchers have discovered that this decline can be reversed using cellular stimulants that help preserve mitochondrial function. These issues begin to manifest almost a decade before permanent DNA damage occurs. Importantly, early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction is reversible, allowing cells to live longer and stay healthier at the molecular level. The key is early intervention to ensure mitochondria are functioning properly before irreversible DNA damage happens.

Role of Mitochondria in Metabolism
Mitochondria play a vital role in cellular metabolic processes, acting as the powerhouse of cells by generating the energy needed for essential biological functions. Dysfunction in mitochondria can result in significant metabolic disorders, affecting overall human health.
Types of Metabolic Diseases Related to Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of neuromuscular disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to muscle weakness and pain.
Mitochondrial Diabetes: Certain forms of diabetes, particularly those associated with mitochondrial mutations, can lead to insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism.
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome, contributing to insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the development of NAFLD by affecting lipid metabolism and promoting fat accumulation in the liver.

The microbiome is the collection of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies. They protect us from pathogens, help our immune system develop, and enable us to digest food to produce energy.

Two “G’s” in Our Health: The Gut and Gluten
Gut Health
We all know that the gut is responsible for breaking down and absorbing nutrients from the food we eat, which our body needs to function properly. But beyond digestion and energy production, the gut plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. One of the most significant roles the gut plays is in our immune system.
Our gut microbiome—a complex community of microorganisms—helps protect the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In fact, over 70% of our immune function resides in the microbiome.
Moreover, the gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating inflammation. When the balance of bacteria in the microbiome is disrupted, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which is linked to a range of health issues including autoimmune disorders, heart disease, and even cancer.
Our gut health is also connected to mental health, as the microbiome can influence brain function. Research has shown that poor gut health is associated with conditions like depression and anxiety.

Gluten, The Gut, and The Microbiome
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, responsible for the elastic texture of dough. It can cause significant harm to gut health by disrupting the balance of bacteria in the microbiome, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a reduction in beneficial ones. This imbalance can result in inflammation and damage to the gut lining.
For individuals with celiac disease—an autoimmune disorder—gluten triggers a damaging immune response in the gut. However, gluten can also negatively affect the gut of anyone by causing inflammation and triggering an immune response.
The reason gluten has this effect is because it is not easily broken down by enzymes in the body. Additionally, gluten tends to bind to proteins in immune cells, which detect pathogens, leading to inflammation.

Gluten and Increased Gut Permeability
The walls of our intestines serve as an important barrier, determining which substances pass through to the bloodstream and organs and which ones to keep out. There are small gaps in the cells called “tight junctions,” and gluten has been shown to loosen these critical junctions.
When these tight junctions are compromised, the gut becomes “leaky,” allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and skin disorders.

Role of Zonulin
Zonulin regulates the tight junctions between intestinal cells. When zonulin levels rise, these junctions become more “leaky,” allowing larger molecules to pass through the intestinal barrier. Gluten can trigger the release of zonulin, which increases gut permeability in some individuals.