Behenic acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).

Behenic acid is a saturated fatty acids, in particular it is part of the group of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs).

Behenic acid is a VLSFA which contains 22 carbons (22:0). Its name is derived from Ben oil (behen oil) from the Moringa oleifera tree. Commercially, products containing Moringa oil have high amounts of behenic acid in them such as hair conditioners, topical moisturizers, and other cosmetic oils. It can also be obtained through the diet in canola (rapeseed) oil and peanut oil. Using the elongase enzyme, it can be synthesized from arachidic acid.

Short chain fatty acids are saturated fatty acids consisting of no more than 6 carbons. The most common forms—acetate, propionate, and butyrate—are also helpful for colon and overall health. Thus, they are called beneficial SCFAs.

Classified as a hydrocarbon, Benzene [C6H6] is an organic chemical compound composed of 6 carbon atoms forming a hexagonal ring arrangement. Benzene is a solvent found in crude oil; because it has a high octane number, it is utilized in gasoline. Benzene is also used as a precursor to heavy chemicals (i.e. ethylbenzene, cumene from which acetone and phenols are derived). Most solvents are neurotoxic and many are carcinogenic.

Acute inhalation exposure to high concentrations of benzene can cause drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, narcosis, and other symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) depression; however, the most damaging health effects associated with benzene exposure are chronic effects due to repeated exposure to low concentrations over many years.

Benzene Ring Compounds: Benzene, Pheno, Toluene, Xylene

Classified as a hydrocarbon, Benzene [C6H6] is an organic chemical compound composed of 6 carbon atoms forming a hexagonal ring arrangement. Benzene is a solvent found in crude oil. Because it has a high octane number, it is utilized in gasoline. Benzene is also used as a precursor to heavy chemicals (i.e. ethylbenzene, cumene from which acetone and phenols are derived).

Most solvents are neurotoxic and many are carcinogenic.

Benzoate, was one of the compounds first found to be elevated in urine from patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth of various origins.

Benzoate, was one of the compounds first found to be elevated in urine from patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth of various origins.

Benzoate, was one of the compounds first found to be elevated in urine from patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth of various origins.

→ Benzoic acid is primarily made endogenously by gut bacteria acting upon dietary polyphenols.

→ Benzoic acid acts as an acidifier and can inhibit pathogenic microorganisms.

→ Benzoic acid is found in broccoli, pepper (C. annuum), fruits, corn. It is also an additive.

→ Hippuric acid is the main metabolite of benzoate.

→ Benzoic acid + butyrate-CoA ligase = butyryl-CoA + glycine + glycine N-benzoyltransferase (GLYAT) → hippuric acid 

→ Phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid have been proposed as a way to modulate release of glycine, glutamine/glutamic acid, and taurine, as a neuroregulatory process.

→ Phenylacetic acid and benzoic acid have both been used clinically to scavenge glycine and glutamine for the purpose of excess nitrogen excretion in urea cycle defects.

Benzoic acid and hippuric acid are formed from the bacterial metabolism of polyphenols. Urinary benzoic acid may also come from ingestion of food preservatives such as sodium benzoate. Hippuric acid is made when sodium benzoate is conjugated with glycine.

Benzoic Acid was one of the compounds first found to be elevated in urine from patients with intestinal bacterial overgrowth of various origins.

Benzoylform is also known as Phenylglyoxylic Acid and a marker for Styrene exposure. Styrene is a chemical used to make latex, synthetic rubber, and polystyrene resins. These resins are used to make plastic packaging, disposable cups and containers, insulation, and other products. Styrene is also produced naturally in some plants.

Breathing high levels of styrene may cause changes in color vision, tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, or balance problems. Hearing loss has been observed in animals exposed to very high concentrations of styrene.

Styrene used in insulation, fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts, shoes, drinking cups and other food containers, and carpet backing.

Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to styrene include the following:

• Workers in the reinforced plastics industry
• Workers involved in styrene polymerization
• Factory workers in rubber manufacturing
• Workers in industries that use styrene polyester resin
• Employees of photocopy centers

→ Benzoylformate has been associated with metabolism of adrenaline and noradrenaline, and phenylketonuria.

→ In a review of 2005–2006 and 2011–2012 NHANES data (N=4690), smokers had 2-fold and 1.6-fold higher levels.

→ Eating more vegetables and fruit was associated with decreased levels.

Beryllium is a silvery-white metal that is lighter than aluminum but stronger than steel. Its strength-to-weight ratio, reflectivity, transparency to X-rays, thermal stability and conductivity, and high melting point makes it an essential material in the defense, nuclear, aerospace, medical, information technology, and telecommunications industries.

Beryllium is toxic as both a skin irritant and an inhaled substance and can result in dermatitis, acute pneumonitis, and chronic pulmonary disease. The first signs of serious or life-threatening acute beryllium exposure may involve difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Despite increasing governmental regulations limiting exposure to beryllium in high-risk occupations, any amount of beryllium can cause short-term and long-term diseases.