Amino acid-
Building blocks of protein. Some can be made by the body and others must be obtained through the diet.
Anemia-
A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, hemoglobin, or in total volume. Many medical conditions cause anemia. Commonly anemia is caused by iron deficiency (the bone marrow needs iron to make red blood cells).
Antioxidant-
A molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves.
Arthritis-
Arthritis is a complex disorder that includes more than 100 different conditions, it can affect people at any stage of life. Arthritis can range from mild forms of tendinitis to crippling forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gout, fibromyalgia, and ankylosing spondylitis are also types of Arthritis. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which not only affects seniors but also affects infants and adults as well.
BMI-
Body mass index helps determine if the amount you weigh is healthy.
Burning Feet Syndrome-
A sign of pantothenic acid deficiency first observed among prisoners of war and malnourished individuals in the Far East.
Calorie-
The amount of digestively available food energy (heat) that will raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius.
Carbohydrates-
Carbohydrates are simple organic compounds that are aldehydes or ketones with many hydroxyl groups added, usually one on each carbon atom that is not part of the aldehyde or ketone functional group. The basic carbohydrate units are called monosaccharides, such as glucose, galactose, and fructose.
Cardiac arrhythmia-
A group of conditions in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular.
Cardiomyopathy-
Disease of the heart muscle. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, enlargement of the heart, or heart failure.
Celiac disease-
A disease characterized by sensitivity to the protein in many grain products leading to chronic inflammation of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal distension, diarrhea, malabsorption, fatty stools and vitamin deficiencies.
Cellulose-powdered-
An excipient used in the formulation of tablets and capsules. It can be used as a binding agent, due to its excellent compression properties. It also has uses as a disintegrant, in order to increase the biological availability of a medicine, and as a lubricant to aid in the tableting procedure. It is also physiologically inert, odorless and tasteless, making it suitable as a diluent in order to fill out a tablet and make a more convenient and accurate dosage form.
Cholesterol-
Cholesterol, which your body produces for building cells, is the main substance in fatty deposits (plaques) that can develop in your arteries. Plaques that build up can reduce blood flow through your vessels, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Coagulation-
Clotting or thickening. The process of changing from a liquid to a solid, especially as with blood.
Crohn's disease-
A chronic inflammatory disease involving any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Dermatitis-
Inflammation of the skin. There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens.
Free radical-
An unstable and highly reactive atom that carries an unpaired electron (e.g., oxygen molecules formed in the process of metabolism). The production of free radicals may also be increased by many factors such as aging, stress, pollution, or excess alcohol intake. Because they are highly reactive, free radicals can damage cells possibly leading to numerous diseases. The antioxidant nutrients- vitamins E, C, and beta carotene and the minerals zinc, copper, selenium, and manganese- may neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging cells.
Glucose-
Sugar or dextrose found in certain foods and in the normal blood of all animals.
Hemoglobin-
A red iron-containing respiratory protein that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues where the oxygen is released. Also assists in carbon dioxide transport back to the lungs.
HDL-
High-density lipoproteins often referred to as "the good cholesterol." Transports cholesterol from the arteries to the liver to be disposed of. High levels are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
Homocysteine-
An amino acid that, in high levels, has been linked to heart disease. Individuals with a low intake of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid tend to have higher homocysteine levels since these nutrients are needed to convert homocysteine into other compounds.
Hypertension-
High blood pressure. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk for stroke and kidney failure.
Insoluble fibre-
Does not absorb or dissolve in water. It passes through our digestive system in close to its original form. Insoluble fibre offers many benefits to intestinal health, including reducing the risk and occurrence of colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, and constipation. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, corn bran, nuts and seeds, dark leafy vegetables, fruit and vegetable skins.
Insomnia-
Difficulty sleeping. Insomnia is often classified as transient or chronic. Transient insomnia lasts from one night to three or four weeks, and can return periodically over months or years. Chronic insomnia persists nightly for at least one month.
IU-
An abbreviation for International Units. These are the units of measurements used for some vitamins.
LDL-
(low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (sometimes referred to as "the bad cholesterol") causes plaque to build up in arteries. This increases the risk of heart disease.
Magnesium Salt-
Used in caplet production to prevent ingredients from sticking to machinery.
Metabolism-
The entire physical and chemical events by which the human body is organized and maintained, also the transformation by which energy is made available.
Monounsaturated fat-
remains liquid at room temperature but may start to solidify in the refrigerator. Foods high in monounsaturated fat include olive, peanut and canola oils. Avocados and most nuts also have high amounts of monounsaturated fat.
Neurotransmitters-
Chemical substances that transmit information from one cell to another, in the space between nerve cells.
Omega-3 fatty acids-
polyunsaturated fats found mostly in seafood. Good sources of omega-3s include fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring. Flaxseeds, flax oil, and walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids and small amounts are found in soybean and canola oils.
Osteomalacia-
A disease of adults that is characterized by softening of the bones.
Osteoporosis-
Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which an individual has a below normal bone mass combined with a gradual deterioration of the structure within the bone. This leads to a general fragility in the skeleton of an individual most often in the hips, spine, and wrists.
Oxidation-
Oxidation is a process in which the use of oxygen causes electrons to be lost from molecules, which causes them to be unstable or reactive. These unstable molecules can cause cell damage.
Parkinson's disease-
A chronic progressive nerve disease that is marked by tremors, weakness and a shuffling gait.
Pellagra-
A disease marked by inflammation of the skin, gastrointestinal, nervous and mental disorders. Associated with a diet deficient in niacin.
Pernicious anemia-
A chronic, progressive condition of older adults characterized by numbness and tingling, weakness, a sore smooth tongue, shortness of breath, faintness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever. Caused by the lack of intrinsic factor which is needed to absorb vitamin B12.
Polyunsaturated fat-
usually liquid at room temperature and in the refrigerator. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include vegetable oils, such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy, and cottonseed oils.
Rickets-
A disease that affects the young during the period of skeletal growth. Characterized by soft, deformed bones. Caused by an inability to use calcium and phosphorus normally due to inadequate vitamin D.
Seborrheic dermatitis-
Also known as eczema. Scaly patches that occur primarily on the face, scalp, back, and pubic area.
Soluble fibre-
Is fibre that is "soluble" in water. When mixed with water it forms a gel-like substance and swells. Soluble fibre has many benefits, including moderating blood glucose levels and lowering cholesterol. Good sources of soluble fiber include oats and oatmeal, legumes (peas, beans, lentils), barley, fruits and vegetables (especially oranges, apples and carrots).
Stearic acid-
The most common of the long-chain fatty acids. It is found in many foods, such as beef fat, and cocoa butter. It is widely used as a lubricant, in soaps, food packaging, deodorant sticks, toothpastes, and to prevent clumping while mixing ingredients for caplets.
Synthesized-
a process which combines together two or more pre-existing elements resulting in the formation of something.
Thyroid-
A gland that lies at the base of the neck which produces hormones necessary for metabolism.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome-
A condition often seen in alcoholics due to thiamin deficiency. Characterized by confusion, memory loss, tremors, and eye disturbances.
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