Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Porphyria
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Porphyria is a condition that affects how heme is made and broken down by the body. Heme is the part of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to the cells of the body.
What is going on in the body?
Hemoglobin is the main oxygen-carrying component of blood. Porphyrins are compounds in the body that affect the way hemoglobin is made, stored, and used.
A person with porphyria makes and excretes excessive amounts of porphyrins. This often causes abnormally high levels of heme in the blood. There are several kinds of porphyria. Porphyrias are classified by where in the body the excess porphyrins are made. They include:
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Most cases of porphyria are caused by genetic disorders. Some cases are caused by toxic substances, such as ingestion or exposure to lead. Menstruation may increase symptoms in women.