Hereditary hemochromatosis

Hereditary hemochromatosis or also called an iron overload disorder is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron from the diet.

These rare genetic disorders are characterized by the accumulation of iron in the body's tissues and organs such as the liver, heart and pancreas.

Because humans cannot increase the excretion of iron, excess iron can overload and eventually can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as liver disease, heart problems and diabetes.

The genes that cause hemochromatosis are inherited, but only a minority of people who have the genes ever develop serious problems.

The symptoms of classic hereditary hemochromatosis develop gradually over many years and may include weakness, lethargy, arthralgias, and impotence. Later manifestations include arthralgias, osteoporosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular cancer, cardiomyopathy, dysrhythmia, diabetes mellitus, and hypogonadism.

Symptoms usually become apparent at some point between 40-60 years of age, but may develop early or later. Symptoms rarely develop before 20 years of age.
Hereditary hemochromatosis

Dietary deficiency of sodium

A dietary deficiency of sodium is virtually unheard of in healthy adults. The element is widely distributed in food stuffs. Plant source contain less than animal products and are therefore prominent on low sodium diets.

Processed food of all kinds tend to have a high sodium content since many sodium compounds are used in preserving, tenderizing and flavoring.

Therefore, human diet generally contains more sodium than necessary. Sodium is readily absorbed and it circulates though the entire body. It is excreted through the kidney as chlorides and phosphates.

Excessive loss of sodium may result from vomiting, diarrhea, or profuse sweating. Depletion is usually, although not always, associated with concurrent later loss and it is the balance of sodium and water losses that will determine whether serum sodium is increased, decreased or remain normal.

The excessive loss can lead to a shocklike syndrome as blood volume falls, perfusion of tissue becomes insufficient, and veins collages.

There was a research that men deprived of food in an arctic environment lose large amount of sodium during the first days of starvation, but because this loss is accompanied by diureses, serum sodium levels remain unchanged.
Dietary deficiency of sodium 

Toxicity of zinc

In humans, most of the body’s zinc is in the skeletal muscle (about 60%) and one third in the bone, skin, liver, brain, kidneys and the heart have small total amounts in this regard. Excessive intakes of zinc cause toxicity.

Zinc has low human toxicity by the oral route, but high levels can cause gastrointestinal distress. An acute zinc toxicity (such as from 4 g of zinc gluconate, which provides 570 mg of elemental zinc) produces some of the following symptoms: metallic taste, headache, weak heart beat, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea.

Tachycardia, hemolytic anemia, pancreatitis, renal damage and death have been reported on this occasion.

Long term oral intakes of zinc at levels of 18,5 to 25 mg/day can interfere with copper absorption and intakes 10 to 30 items the RDA can impair immune responses and decrease serum high density lipoprotein.

The most common sources of zinc poisoning in human are metal fumes, and illness arising the ingestion of acidic foods prepared in zinc galvanized containers. The inhalation of zinc phosphide or phosphine gas also results in acute toxicity.
Toxicity of zinc

Copper

Copper
Among its many functions, copper aids in the formation of bone, hemoglobin and red blood cells and works in balance with zinc and vitamin C to form elastin, an important skin protein.

It is involved in the healing process, energy production, hair and skin coloring, and taste sensitivity.

This mineral is also needed for healthy nerves and joints. One of the early signs of copper deficiency is osteoporosis.

Copper is essential for the formation of collagen, one of the fundamental proteins making up bones, skin and connective tissue.

Other possible signs of copper efficiency include anemia, baldness, diarrhea, general weakness, impaired respiratory function and skin sores.

A lack of copper can also lead to increased blood fat levels.

Excessive intake of copper can lead to toxicity, which has been associated with depression, irritability, nausea, and vomiting, nervousness and joint and muscle pain.

Ingesting a quantity as small as 10 milligrams usually causes nausea.

Sixty milligrams generally results in vomiting and just 3.5 grams (3,500 milligrams) can be fatal. Children can be affected at much smaller dosage levels.
Copper