Open Directory - Health:Conditions and Diseases:Nutrition and Metabolism Disorders:Cholesterol and Other Fats:Gaucher's


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Top: Health: Conditions_and_Diseases: Nutrition_and_Metabolism_Disorders: Cholesterol_and_Other_Fats: Gaucher's

Gaucher (pronounced "go-SHAY") disease is an inherited illness caused by a gene mutation. Normally, this gene is responsible for an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase that the body needs to break down a particular kind of fat called glucocerebroside. In people with Gaucher disease, the body is not able to properly produce this enzyme and the fat cannot be broken down. It then accumulates, mostly in the liver, spleen and bone marrow.