Limerick-based Handbook of TRACE MINERALS and VITAMINS

 

CURRENT CONTENTS 

Nutrient deficiency (intro) 

Avitaminosis A

Vitamin B12 and erythropoiesis

Zinc and anosmia

Beri-beri (B1 deficiency), (3 verses -- a 'brief saga')

More to follow

Authors' Note:  

N.B.: abbreviation for the Latin nota bene; as a verb—'take careful note', as a derived adjectival phrase — 'important'

Readers interested in nutritional health might be enthused that the author is undertaking a project entitled "The Limerick-based Handbook of Trace Minerals and Vitamins" as a follow-up to his "Limerick-based Handbook of Medical Testing".

Although treatment of disorders produced by the relevant deficiencies is often delightfully simple, the underlying biochemistry, pharmacology, epidemiology and health delivery issues may be extremely complex, and warrant further understanding. 

Authors' Note: Deficiency of vitamin A

Avitaminosis, an absence of vitamins, causes deficiency diseases.  Some of these deficiency states affect all cells in the body, and are manifest as diffuse or multi-system disorders. But many seem targeted at the weakest metabolic link or at a unique buochemical mechanism, and produce a characteristic disease pattern

Avitaminosis A, the absence of vitamin A, is the most common cause of childhood blindness in parts of Africa and South Asia, resulting in specific eye damage, including corneal ulceration and retinal damage. Early symptoms include xerophthalmia (severely 'dry eyes') and loss of night vision; however, in appropriately nourished populations (developed countries), these symptoms are most often due to other causes.    

Authors' Note: The myelin sheath is an envelope of lipid-rich material that wraps around peripheral nerve fibers, acting as a form of insulation; its development and maintenance is dependent on vitamin B12. 

Authors' Note:  Patients who have suffered a loss of sense of smell (anosmia) are known as anosmics. Rarely, this sensory disorder along with manifestations in other body functions can be attributed to a marked deficiency of dietary zinc. Whether zinc supplements can help with recovery in well-fed anosmics remains unresolved. The metallic element osmium, which has no known biologic role, is named for the stench emitted by its poisonous tetroxide derivative.

(Note that the three verses of this "brief saga" can be found in more readily legible format on the blog "Daily Illustrated Nonsense"; click HERE.) 

Readers with an interest in medical/health issues might also enjoy our "Limerick-Based Handbook on Medical Testing". Click HERE.

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