Biochemistry makes you appreciate the little things in life

The last couple of days I've been reviewing metabolism in biochemistry. There is a disease that I never really thought about before ( in regards to the implications on daily life for a patient), but it is one of the many disease that makes me thankful for my health: Hereditary Fructose Intolerance. Hereditary fructose intolerance probably isn't the worst disease imaginable, however, it sounds pretty horrible. Basically, multiple enzymes break down sucrose (table sugar) into glucose and fructose (in fruits and honey). One of those that further breaks down fructose doesn't work. This means that you cannot eat any sucrose (table sugar) or fructose (fruits and honey) because you have a buildup of fructose-1-phosphate that causes problems. The symptoms of the disease include lethargy, vomiting, liver damage, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoglycemia, hyperuricemia (gout) and renal proximal tubule defects (Fanconi's syndrome). Can you imagine no table sugar or fruits? I have a lot of food allergies and have to avoid things, like shell fish, but how do you avoid sugar?? Like I said earlier, this isn't the worst disease out there; however, it would definitely be horrible. I never thought biochemistry would make me so grateful for the little things in life, like sugar in my tea or a fresh peach.