What are metabolic diseases

When eating, all kinds of substances enter the body, which are digested into small pieces in the gastrointestinal tract. The substances then enter the cells. Metabolism takes place in the cells.

Metabolism is the conversion of the starting material to the end material. Usually the conversion takes place in a number of steps with the aid of a protein. That protein is called an enzyme. If one of the enzymes does not work properly, a metabolic disorder occurs.

Intermediates can also be created; these may have harmful properties. If these substances accumulate in the cells, problems also arise.

Metabolic diseases are rare hereditary diseases. There are more than 600 different metabolic diseases (also called metabolic diseases). Every metabolic disease manifests itself in a different way. Complaints can arise shortly after birth, but also in the following years or even in adulthood.

Metabolic diseases are also referred to as hereditary metabolic diseases.