The human body consists of a complex network of processes all working together in a seamless rhythm. Most of the time, we only learn of certain bodily processes when there is a problem with one of them. In fact, you probably won’t even know what certain substances are contained in your body until you have either too much or too little of them.
There are ten substances in particular that can cause problems, especially when it comes to people at risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or anemia. The substances, while necessary for proper bodily function, can cause a lot of trouble if their levels are skewed one way or the other. They include:
Citrulline
Citrulline is essential in the process of converting ammonia into urea. When you have too much of it, problems with the liver, kidneys and even the central nervous system can arise. But if you have too little, a condition known as citrullinemia could manifest itself. This condition causes ammonia to build up in the blood, which causes a variety of symptoms including vomiting, seizures and mental retardation.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a major player in the body’s stress response. Produced in the adrenal cortex, cortisol is a hormone that can increase the blood pressure and blood sugar. When you have too much of it, it is called Cushing’s Syndrome, which causes symptoms like weight gain, thin skin and psychosis. If you have too little cortisol, you may have a disease called Addison’s disease, which includes symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, vomiting and tremors.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a water soluble version of Vitamin B9. It is vital for cell development and even the process of DNA replication. However, when you have too little of the substance, you are put at a greater risk for developing cancer, losing your sense of hearing, losing your mental faculties and developing a very severe form of anemia associated with neuropsychotic disorders.
Homeocysteine
Homocysteine is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine. In high levels, this substance can be corrosive to the arteries and cause cholesterol to move in and put you at an elevated risk for heart attack and stroke. Some children have a disorder called homocysteinuria, which means they cannot process homocysteine and it stays and builds up in the body. This is very dangerous and has serious symptoms including flushed face, mental retardation and eye abnormalities.
Magnesium
Magnesium is essential to all things living and is a part of the basic nucleic acid chemistry. However, having too little of this substance can cause a whole host of problems including irregular hearth rhythm, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Manganese
Manganese is found only in trace amounts in the human body, but its presence is vital to the function of many enzymes and normal glandular activity. Too much manganese results in damage to the internal organs, emotional problems, sexual dysfunction and uncoordinated movements. Having too little manganese can cause the malformation of bone and cartilage.
Niacin
Niacin is another name for Vitamin B3 and it works hard in the area of metabolism and the production of hormones. Too much niacin can cause blindness, liver damage, diabetes and jaundice, Too little niacin causes a condition called pellagra which has sensitivity to sunlight, skin lesions, diarrhea and dementia as its symptoms.
Selenium
Selenium is a toxic substance, yet trace amounts of it are essential to the formation of several enzymes that are required by all cells. Having too much selenium in your system can cause gastrointestinal problems, hair loss, nail changes and neurological damage. Too little of this substances can cause diseases such as Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease which have the weakening of the heart and necrosis of cartilage tissue as their symptoms, respectively.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 works alongside other substances in the body as a component of amino acid metabolism. There are many benefits associated with the intake of Vitamin B6, such as its ability to treat morning sickness and its link with reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease. However, when too much enters the body, neurological symptoms may develop. When a person has too little Vitamin B6, they may experience symptoms such as depression, insomnia and weight gain
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is very complex and works in the process of DNA synthesis. When you have too little of this vitamin you become Vitamin B12 deficient, which is often caused by an underlying condition that prevents the absorption of the substance. Symptoms include anemia, memory loss, tingling extremities and confusion.
Come on, admit it. You had not heard of some of these substances until now, right? Or, maybe you just did not know they were so important to your overall wellbeing. Regardless of your previous knowledge, the important thing is that you know just how important these ten substances are now. What is even more important is that you work to manage your levels of these substances. Do not wait until you suddenly develop a toxicity or deficiency to take action.
You can be proactive and take preventative action by using a wellness panel from the comfort of your own home. A wellness panel works by testing your levels of all ten substances in one convenient test. All you need to do is take oral fluids samples periodically throughout a 24-hour period. Once you have four samples collected, seal them up and ship them overnight to the lab. All of these fees are included in the cost of the test.
Then all you can do is wait for a day or two while your samples are tested. Once you receive your results, look over your levels compared to the normal ranges. Are your levels normal? If not, it may be time to set up a visit with your doctor. Because even though you may not be experiencing any symptoms, you are not necessarily off the hook. By taking action before symptoms present themselves you can ensure a long, healthy life for yourself.
This Article is written by Lena Butler, the author of Home Testing Blog – Testing It Up and a constant contributor to Home Health & Drug Testing Forum, a longer version of this article is located at Home Wellness Testing and resources from other home health and wellness testing.
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