Gastrointestinal

Question 1

Strict vegans are prone to be?

Answer 1

Vit B12 deficient

Question 2

Important things to remember about the liver?

Answer 2

• it metabolizes things. So, if it not working it is unable to break down stuff. For example, medications.
• it produces albumin
• it produces thrombopoietin
• it convert ammonia to urea for the kidneys to excrete. Ammonia build up is dangerous and lead to hepatic comma

Question 3

What are medications given to reduce ammonia levels?

Answer 3

• lactulose (a laxative that can bind with ammonia)
• neomycin & rifaximin (reduces bacteria production of ammonia in the gut when we eat protein)