Excess Iron in brain can develop many diseases – A new study.

Iron overload, usually caused by the genetic condition hereditary hemochromatosis, can cause a wide number of health issues, but this study sheds light on its impact on the brain. 

Research has been conducted by the researchers based on the studied data gathered by the UK Biobank to see if hereditary hemochromatosis and the subsequent iron overload had an impact on the brain. In the study, it was observed that some people with two copies of the HFE gene mutation, meaning they would have hereditary hemochromatosis, had iron buildup in the brain.  While studying the iron deposition seen in the brain's motor circuits. The researchers concluded that the iron buildup in the brain was linked to a higher risk of developing movement disorders.

According to a new study, the iron buildup in the brain may have a higher risk of developing movement disorders like Parkinson's disease But interestingly, the increased risk for movement disorders was only present in males. However, this isn't too surprising, as the iron buildup in males will almost always be more severe due to the lack of mensuration.

These findings hold implications for the further extent of how hereditary hemochromatosis and iron overload can impact the body and how they can lead to movement disorders. But even more importantly, the importance of the findings for medical purposes is especially notable because they can be applied immediately - after all, the safe and approved treatments for iron overload already exist.  

Usually overloading iron in the brain is caused by the genetic condition hereditary hemochromatosis, and develops a wide number of health issues. The findings of this study were published in the peer-reviewed academic journal JAMA Neurology. Before explaining hereditary haemochromatosis, it's important to understand the role of iron in the human body. 

Iron is an essential mineral that the body needs to function, and it is especially prevalent in the human blood. This, in turn, is why the level of iron in the body must be balanced and controlled. The exact amount of iron needed in the body can vary, but it usually tends to be just 4-5 grams of iron, with 2.5 being used to bring oxygen into the blood and the rest being used in cells throughout the body, especially the liver, spleen and bone marrow - the former of which is where the primary iron reserve storage. 

Much research has already been conducted on what happens when iron levels in the body are too low, which is known as iron deficiency, something that is generally more common among those who menstruate due to the loss of blood. 

Further, there is also a significant amount of research that has been done on how to compensate for this, which can be done in the form of iron supplements or making sure one's diet contains a necessary amount of iron. Indeed, food is the main source of iron. But less well-known, especially among the general public, is that it is also possible for the body to have too much iron, which is known as iron overload or hemochromatosis. This can happen in a few days, such as repeated blood transfusions, too much dietary iron, or too many iron supplements. But hereditary hemochromatosis is the most well-known means for this to happen. This condition is genetic and is linked to a specific gene, the HFE gene, and is most common among those of Celtic descent. Both parents would need to have the gene for it to manifest as the condition, similar to other genetic conditions like Tay-Sachs disease. 

Hereditary hemochromatosis essentially causes the body to absorb far too much iron from food, increasing the amount of iron in the body. Unlike iron deficiencies, which can be solved by simply having more iron, iron overloads are harder to solve because humans don't actually have a way to release the excess iron outside of menstruation and pregnancy. In fact, the ability of menstruation and pregnancy to release excess iron from the body is why symptoms appear in people who menstruate much later than in others, really only appearing after menopause. 

However, according to the study, symptoms tend to appear late across the board, with males on average only showing symptoms after the age of 40 and females after the age of 60. When undergoing iron overload, the iron will accumulate in the body, often in the liver, skin, heart, thyroid, pituitary gland, and more. This, in turn, is linked to numerous other symptoms and diseases. These include, but are not limited to: 

·                     Joint and abdominal pain

·                     Liver cirrhosis

·                     Liver cancer

·                     Arthritis

·                     Diabetes

·                     Severe fatigue and weakness

·                     The skin turning bronze or gray color

·                     Abdominal pain

·                     Lack of sex drive

·                     Liver failure

·                     Heart failure

·                     Erectile dysfunction and sexual impotence

·                     Memory fog 

Considering how many of these conditions can be life-threatening, treating hereditary hemochromatosis is very important. 

Treatment-  Blood donation under consultancy with your doctor is the best treatment as any iron overload can simply be prevented by getting phlebotomy (essentially bloodletting, just safely getting rid of blood in comparable amounts to a blood donation) on a regular periodic basis - sometimes just a couple of times a year. Apart from that medications also exist, and diets used to limit iron intake can help as well.

Diabetes patient has more risk to Tuberculosis....

The National Institute of Health has confirmed that a diabetic patient has more risk of tuberculosis than a common person. The NIH Scientist and Scientific Director,  ICER stated that diabetes can increase the risk of TB and vice versa. Both diseases can pace up each other's occurrence, the scientist confirmed. 

They told that diabetes even can worsen the situation while treating TB patients. There is an increased risk of TB replace even after being cured in the presence of diabetes. Diabetics can give the worst effect in treating TB patients said the scientist. 

In Chennai, a pioneer study has been conducted by Professor M. Vishwanathan, Diabetic Research Centre (MVDRC) has shown that over fifty percent of the people with TB are either Diabetics or pre-diabetics. ICER- INDIA, MVDRC, and ICMR-NIRT have also done studies on whether TB can trigger the onset of diabetes in TB patients. Dr. Babu explained, " TB can triger a process called stress-induced hyperglycemia and hence increase diabetes risk n non-diabetic individuals".

He further added that several studies including many of his clinical trials have shown the impact of diabetes on TB. TB may also increase the chances of developing severe complications with diabetics. 

Researchers told that TB is curable but it may take a longer time and more intensive care more than a couple of years even after completing treatment. It is also told by them that the lungs of the TB patient recover more slowly due to expansive damage to the lungs caused by the TB bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis responsible for damaging the lungs. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which either the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin or the body organs do not effectively utilize the insulin produced in the body.  

  

Best 7 Tips to Avoid Childhood Obesity

Children and adolescents are very much affected by the important medical disease known as childhood obesity. It is especially concerning because childhood obesity often predisposes children to health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol once thought to be the domain of adults. Also, sadness and low self-esteem in children can result from obesity. Improving your family’s eating and exercise habits is one of the best ways to combat childhood obesity. Obesity in children is treatable and preventable, helping to safeguard your child’s current and future health.

[An Obese Child]

Obesity is frequently associated with a number of chronic diseases. Another dangerous problem that requires rapid intervention is childhood obesity. In every nation of the world, childhood obesity is one of the most important global public health concerns of the 21st century, according to the WHO. Obesity among school-age children and adolescents has increased more than tenfold in just 40 years, from 11 million to 124 million. Childhood obesity can have a severe impact on a child’s physical, emotional, and social well-being if left unchecked. Though, there are many points to be adopted to avoid childhood obesity, however, here I would like to emphasize the following 7 tips that are practically working well. These are-  

1. Healthier eating habits- This is very important to monitor what type of diet, we are giving to our children? There is no place except own home to provide good and nutritional food to the children.   A child can have a very good day of dietary intake with careful planning. It includes a variety of whole-grain foods, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products in your child’s diet, along with low-fat or fat-free milk. They will receive most of the nutrients they need to build their bodies and minds from this.

2. Sleep well- It is very important to get proper sleep in childhood. Good and sound sleep in children more than 6-8 hours daily can help in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, obesity, accidents, poor mental health, and attention and behavior problems.  Did you know that teens ages 13-18 require 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night and teens ages 6-12 require 9-12 hours? Obesity is related to lack of sleep in part because it can cause us to eat more and do less physical activity. Make sure your kids are active during the day, keep screens out of their beds, and maintain a regular sleep routine even on the weekends to help them sleep better.

3. Consuming enough water- Water is vital for human health, as we all well know, and it is crucial to teach this to children as well. It is recommended to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Give them a water bottle and explain that they should empty it completely four times (depending on the capacity of the water bottle) throughout the day to include this in their regular routine. This would help them establish a habit, but keep in mind that it may take some time and your child may not initially drink the entire bottle during the designated time. 

4. Never let children skip breakfast- This crucial meal jump-starts your metabolism, increases calorie expenditure, and prevents you from overeating later in the day. Notice what they are drinking as well. Most young people do not drink as much water as suggested. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, children ages 4 to 8 should have seven cups a day, while children ages 9 to 13 should have nine to 10 cups and teens should have 10 to 14 cups a day. Juices, sports drinks, and sodas are not healthy alternatives because they usually contain a lot of sugar. Instead, stick to drinking water or low-fat milk. 

5. Avoid distractions/entertainment during the meal- Children can now frequently eat while using a screen, for instance, watching TV, playing games on the computer, or using a mobile phone. It is a serious and harmful activity. The child is distracted by looking at a screen, which causes him to consume less or much more than he should. Enjoy the company of your family as you eat together without interruption. 

6. Reduce screen time- Not counting sleep, adults and children spend more than 7 hours a day sitting. Many of these sedentary hours are spent using a phone, tablet, or computer while sitting or lying down, watching TV, or playing video games (also known as screen time). Among health terms, excessive screen time is linked to poor sleep, weight gain, poor academic performance, and poor mental health in youth. Reducing screen time leaves more time for family activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developing a family media plan, including tips such as avoiding technology use during meals, charging electronic devices out of bedrooms at night, turning off screens an hour before bedtime, and more.

7. Eliminate the temptations- Your child is more likely to eat junk food if you have it in the pantry. Children look up to their parents as role models for eating. So, set a good example for your kids by keeping high-calorie, sugar-laden, salty snacks out of the house. Remember that sugary drinks also include calories, so try to limit the amount of soda and juice you buy for your family.

Stay healthy, stay safe...