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Mitochondrial diseases – By Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Mitochondria-an organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner part being folded inwards to form layers (cristae). First, before we discuss mitochondrial dysfunctions or diseases, we need to understand what mitochondria are. It is a structure found in the cytoplasm of every cell in your body, covered by two thin membranes, the inner one corrugated, that generate most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell’s biochemical reactions. It is an energy powerhouse. The word cytoplasm refers to the fluid that surrounds the cell nucleus. The chemical energy produced by these organelles is stored within the cells in a small molecule called adenosine triphosphate or ATP. When your mitochondria function properly, storing energy in ATP, and using that energy to perform your daily ...

Jul 17, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , , , ,
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What is the significance of eGFR? – By Dr harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Transcript: It stands for-Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Kidneys are vital for your body. Well-functioning kidneys remove waste and excess fluids from your blood, keep essential minerals in balance, help regulate blood pressure, and produce red blood cells and vitamin D. In other words, your kidneys make sure your body stays healthy and balanced. Now let’s talk about what a glomerulus is. The kidney’s filtering unit’s glomerulus is a specialised bundle of capillaries uniquely situated between two resistance vessels. These capillaries are each contained within the Bowman’s capsule, and they are the only capillary beds in the body that are not surrounded by interstitial tissue. Your kidneys filter your blood by removing waste and extra water to make urine. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) shows how well the kidneys filter. An estimated 37 million adults in the ...

Feb 4, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , ,
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Salt, how much is too much – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Transcript: Salt is sodium chloride, the white crystals left over when seawater evaporates. Experts have been arguing about this for decades. One side says everyone needs to cut back on salt and that doing so would substantially reduce heart disease. The other side says universal salt reduction would have little effect on public health and would be a needless deprivation for most people. In Japan, the daily intake is a whopping 26,000 mg (more than 11 teaspoons of salt). But their lifespan seems to be more than in most other countries. How salt affects your blood pressure and health depends on your genes, age, and medical conditions. The human body requires a small amount of sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract  and relax muscles, and maintain the proper water balance and minerals. It is estimated that we need ...

Jul 19, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , , , , , ,
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How much water should you drink per day? – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com “Thirst is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to make sure that we drink an adequate amount of fluids but not too much” First, let us discuss why you need to drink water a fair quantity daily. Water’s role as a solvent helps cells transport and use substances like oxygen and nutrients. It is an essential constituent within the living cells because it is directly involved in many biological reactions like photosynthesis and respiration. Without water each cell could not move waste and biproducts, take nutrients, perform intracellular transportation, functioning and signaling. Water makes 60-75% of human body weight. A loss of 4% water leads to dehydration, and a loss of 15% can be fatal. One could survive for weeks without food but without water one couldn’t survive for more than 3 days. Hydration is not fully ...

Jul 14, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , ,
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