Glossary
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ANABOLISM: The building-up process of the body that’s needed for growth, repair and maintenance of all body tissues.
ANTICIPATORY RESPONSE: The secretion of insulin in response to an external stimulus such as the taste of an artificial sweetener or from the smell of food.
ANTIOXIDANT: A substance that binds to a free radical, neutralizes it and reduces the ability of free radicals to damage to cells of the body.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: The part of the nervous system that functions largely without conscious control. Examples include heart rate and digestion. The two types of the autonomic nervous system include the sympathetic (activating) and the parasympathetic (relaxing).
ADRENALINE (EPINEPHRINE): A hormonal stimulant secreted by the adrenal gland.
ANALGESIC: A pain relieving drug.
ARGININE: An amino acid that is a precursor to nitric oxide, a gaseous hormone that has dilating effect on blood vessels. Arginine has been shown to elevate both growth hormone and insulin levels.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE: A disease where an over respondent immune system attacks certain tissues of the body.
BLOOD PRESSURE: The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries.
BOMB CALORIMETER: An instrument developed to measure the amount of calories, or heat energy given off by a food when it is burned. This process breaks the actual bonds between the carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen. Since our bodies do not breakdown food in a similar fashion, caloric thinking is slowly becoming an obsolete concept in the nutrition field.
BLOOD SUGAR (GLUCOSE): Blood sugar is defined as the amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream. Glucose is the primary source of fuel for many cells of the body, including most cells of the brain, nervous system, retina, pancreas, intestinal and kidney cells.
CALORIE: When food is burned in a calorimeter, a calorie is a unit that was made up to measure the amount of heat energy given off by a food. One calorie is the amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water up by 1 degree Celsius.
CARBOHYDRATES (SUGAR): The three main categories of carbohydrates include:
Monosaccharides: (one sugar per unit) Examples include glucose (blood sugar), fructose (fruit sugar) and galactose (milk sugar).
Disaccharides: (double sugar units)
- Sucrose (table sugar) is made of glucose+fructose.
- Lactose (milk sugar) is made of glucose+galactose.
Polysaccharides: (many sugars linked together)
Starches include long chains of glucose found in foods like corn and potatoes). Polysaccharides also include glycogen (sugar stored in our own body) and fiber (carbohydrates we can not digest).
CARCINOGEN: A substance that has the potential of causing cancer.
Catabolism: When the body’s tissues break down at a greater rate than they are built up. Catabolism of protein is commonly referred to as “cannibalism of muscle.”
CELL MEMBRANE: Cell membranes are made of a “fatty acid bi-layer” consisting of glycerol heads and fatty acid tails. The glycerol heads are attracted to water and the fatty acid tails orient themselves away from water. Cell membranes act as a formidable barrier system that separates the water that’s found on the inside and outside of a cell.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain and spinal cord.
CHOLECYSTOKININ (CCK): CCK is an appetite suppressor hormone that gets produced by the small intestines in response to fat. CCK slows the digestive process, stimulates bile release from the gall bladder, and then travels to the brain, where it acts as the chemical equivalent to the feeling of fullness.
CHOLESTEROL: Cholesterol is only found in animal products and is a naturally occurring part of the body. The majority of the cholesterol in our body is generated by the liver, adrenal glands, intestines and sex organs like the ovaries and testes. The enzyme responsible for cholesterol production is “HMG CoA reductase.” This constant generation of this enzyme is driven by insulin and decreased by glucagon. Restricting your cholesterol intake would only cause the body to produce more of cholesterol.This is because cholesterol is involved in its own feedback loop that lowers HMG CoA reductase. Cholesterol lowering drugs work to knock out this chemical. The cholesterol in your diet contributes little to the total amount of cholesterol in your body. Only 15% of the cholesterol in the body comes from your diet and the other 85% is made within your own body. Thus, eating foods that are high in cholesterol will not dramatically effect the pool of cholesterol within the body. Unlike plant cell walls that are made of carbohydrates (fiber), animal cell walls are made of fat. This fat needs to be stabilized by the presence of cholesterol. If it wasn’t for strong, yet pliable substances like cholesterol, the body would fall apart. Cholesterol is also the precursor to all the steroid hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Total cholesterol numbers should be less than 200 mgs/dl.
CHRONOTHERAPY: The science of giving drugs at the right time according to the body's biological rhythms.
CHYLOMICRONS: When humans digest fat, the fat is incorporated into chylomicrons. Chylomicrons are clusters of protein and fat. Since fat circulates poorly in the watery medium of the blood, fat needs to latch onto protein before it is able to travel to the liver and other tissues.
CONDITIONAL AMINO ACID: Normally the body can synthesize adequate amounts of an amino acid, however during times of stress the body many need more.
CORTISOL: Cortisol is the body's stress adaptation hormone that gets secreted during both physical and/or mental stress. Stress can be a traumatic experience or nutritional deprivation and cause excessively high cortisol levels. High levels of cortisol will over stimulate their receptors located on brain cells, which can cause brain cells to overheat and die. Cortisol also causes muscles to break down its
own protein into amino acids. These amino acids are released into the bloodstream, then pass through the liver where they are changed into glucose (blood sugar). Cortisol directly inhibits eicosanoid production by blocking the enzyme “phospholipase A2.” This enzyme liberates fatty acids out of the cell membrane to make an eicosanoid. Without phospholipase A2, eicosanoid synthesis comes to a halt. This is why doctors can not prescribe corticosteroids for an extended period of time without causing long term damage to health. to bring your blood sugar back down to normal levels. This sustains the availability of sugar and ultimately prolongs the time between meals. Fast absorbing carbohydrates, on the other hand absorb quickly, command greater amounts of insulin and bring about greater blood sugar swings.
DIET: The word diet in Greek means “way of life.” To eat a balanced diet means to get a eat a proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats as well as optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals.
DOWN REGULATION: A decrease in the amount of functioning receptors due to elevated levels of either a hormone or a drug. Normal receptor function becomes “jammed” and disallows proper communication.
EICOSANOIDS: Eicosanoids are information chemicals used by the body to control just about every function in the body including pain perception, blood clotting, reproductive, nervous system, cardiovascular, kidney, digestive, and immune system functioning. Eicosanoids are made from the fat sitting within the cell membrane. They modulate the individual actions and reactions of a cell. Eicosanoids oppose each other to create balance. For example, one eicosanoid will cause cell contraction and another kind will cause cell relaxation. The fatty acids within the cell membrane are used to make eicosanoids. Eicosanoids differ than most other hormones since they do not travel in the bloodstream. Instead, they diffuse short distances and only stimulate themselves or the cells in close proximity to them.
ENDOCRINE: Secreting an internal biologically active substance
directly into the bloodstream. Endocrine glands include the pancreas, pituitary gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus, thymus, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and the gonads.
ENDOCRINOLOGY: The study of hormones that are secreted into the blood via a gland that has an effect on tissues in another part of the body. To study the way the body that secretes hormones
directly into the bloodstream. Endocrine glands include adrenal gland, the pancreas, pituitary gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus, thymus, and the thyroid gland.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS: Amino acids that must be supplied through the diet.
GLUCAGON: Glucagon is a hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the alpha cells of the pancreas. Glucagon’s primary role is to raise blood sugar by causing the liver to break down its glycogen (sugar
reserves). Glucagon is considered the counterpart to insulin because of their opposing actions.
GLYCEMIC INDEX: The glycemic index measures the time it takes the body to convert a specific carbohydrate containing food into actual blood sugar. Low glycemic, or “slow absorbing” fruits, vegetables and whole grains are beneficial because they take an extended time for your body to break down and convert into pure glucose (blood sugar). Subsequently, less insulin will be needed.
GLYCEMIC LOAD: The glycemic load is a measure of the type of carbohydrate (glycemic index) versus the quantity of carbohydrate you eat at one sitting. Pasta has a low glycemic index and a high
glycemic load. Pasta absorbs slowly, but if you eat enough of it at one time, there would be a considerable amount of sugar being fluxed into the bloodstream.
FREE RADICALS: Free radicals can be thought of as the sparks that are produced from the metabolic fire. Free radicals can damage, or “oxidize” cell components.
HDL (HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN): HDL’s carry cholesterol from the cells of the body and transports them to the liver for recycling or disposal. HDL also carries phospholipids.
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE: A holistic healing approach that treats the whole person instead of treating merely the symptoms of disease.
HORMONE: A chemical messenger released by the body that gets secreted in the bloodstream and eventually reaches its target cell, where it seeks to carry out a specific function.
INSOLUBLE FIBER: The dry roughage of plants that helps speed transit of materials through the intestines. Examples include brown rice, fruits, legumes, seeds, vegetables and whole grains.
INSULIN: Insulin is the hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin acts as the main traffic controller in the bloodstream since it directs nutrients into cells of the body. Insulin pushes glucose and amino acids into muscle cells and ushers both glucose and fat into fat cells. For this reason insulin is called “the spoon that feeds the body.”
INSULIN RESISTANCE: Poor attachment of insulin to its receptors.
HYPOGLYCEMIA: A deficiency of blood glucose.
KETOSIS: Ketosis is a process that occurs from the incomplete breakdown of fat. When there is a depletion of carbohydrates, the end products of fat metabolism are not cleaned up and “ketone bodies” form. When the body’s ketone production builds up to a certain level, your body is said to be in a state of “ketosis.”
LDL (LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN): LDL’s are are formed from VLDL’s. As VLDL’s lose triglycerides and gain cholesterol, they become LDL’s. LDL contain a few triglycerides (blood fats) and high amounts of cholesterol. Total LDL cholesterol should be less than 130 mgs/dl.
LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE: is an enzyme bound to the outside surface of a cell that breaks down triglycerides from the bloodstream and directs their components into fat cells. Lipoprotein lipase is made by muscle, fat, liver, heart and kidney cells.
LIPOPROTEINS: Since blood is mostly water, it serves a poor medium to circulate fat. Fat needs to latch together with protein before it can travel in the bloodstream. The protein and the fat act together as
emulsifiers since they attract both water and fat. The body makes four main types of lipoproteins including chylomicrons, VLDL (very low density lipoproteins), LDL (low density lipoproteins and HDL (high
density lipoproteins).
LIVER: Doctors consider the heart the most important part of the body and nutritionists consider the liver the most important organ of the body. The liver is responsible for detoxifying our body and is capable
of manufacturing carbohydrates from protein or to turn excess carbohydrates, protein or alcohol into fat.
MACRONUTRIENT: Macronutrient means “food that nourishes”.
Macronutrients include nutrients that are required in the greatest amounts: protein, carbohydrate, fat or lipid, and water.
METABOLISM: The constant action of all chemical and physical changes that takes place within the body.
MICRONUTRIENT: Any dietary element essential only in minute amounts for the normal physiologic processes of the body. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals.
MONOUNSATURATED FATS: Monounsaturated fats are beneficial for cell membrane functioning because they are neither too solid (saturated) nor too liquid (polyunsaturated). Good monounsaturated food sources include olive oil, nuts and avocado. Another noted benefit to monounsaturated fat is they are low in omega-6 fats.
METABOLISM: is best described as the “use of food” after the food has been digested, absorbed and transported to the cells via the bloodstream.
MIND-GUT LINK: The fact that cells of the intestines secrete the same neuropeptides that the brain uses when it produces feelings nd emotions. These neuropeptides can cause cravings for specific foods such as fats or sugars.
NEUROPEPTIDE: A neurotransmitter made of amino acids.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS: are released at the far end of the axon that stimulates and adjacent cell. Examples of neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.
NITRIC OXIDE: The amino acid arginine is used for nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is involved in many physiological processes including decreased blood clotting and the dilation of blood vessels to reduce blood pressure.
NON ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS: Amino acids that can me made by the own body and therefore they can be missing from the diet with major consequence.
NOREPINEPHRINE (NORADRENALINE): An energizing hormone that also helps in focusing the mind. Norepinephrine is a major aminergic (daytime chemical).
NUTRITION: Nutrition is a term used to describe the food and drinks obtained through ones diet.
NUTRITIONAL INTELLIGENCE: The way a balanced diet provides a rich assortment of nutrients for the body to feed upon. The bloodstream carries these nutrients to each and every area of the body.
OSTEOPATH: A physician who uses more natural methods of healing. An osteopath is a fully licensed physician who is authorized to prescribe medication, perform surgery, and they are familiar with traditional
therapies. An osteopath has the letters D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) after their name. Osteopaths believe the best drugs are made by the body's own immune system.
PATHOGEN: A disease causing bacteria or viruses.
POLYUNSATURATED FAT: Polyunsaturated fat includes linoleic(omega-6 fats) and linolenic acid (omega-3 fats). Omega-6 fats come from corn, soybean, safflower and sunflower oils. These two fats are essential, meaning our bodies can not synthesize them and therefore must obtain these fats through the diet. The typical American diet contains too many omega-6 fats and too little of the omega-3 fats. The type of fats one eats is considered one of the most crucial factors in long term well being. Polyunsaturated fats are very liquid as opposed to the saturated fats that are considered somewhat solid.
SATURATED FAT: Saturated fat carries the maximum number of hydrogen atoms (H’s). Other more loosely packed fats like polyunsaturated fats have open spaces along their carbon chain.
SOLUBLE FIBER: The gels, gums, pectin and jelly like components of foods that slow glucose absorption and slows the movement of food through the digestive tract. Examples include apples, barley, beans and oatmeal.
SUGAR: Sugar is defined as “any of several water-soluble carbohydrates.” Carbohydrates are classified by the number of sugar molecules they contain.
TRIGLYCERIDES: The fat we obtain from food and the fat stored within the body is in the form of triglycerides. Triglycerides are the primary source of fuel for the body. They are composed of one glycerol unit and three units of fatty acids. The amount of triglycerides found in the blood is a good determinant of your body’s ability to burn fat. A desirable amount of triglycerides in the blood is less than 200 mgs/dl.
UP-REGULATION: Receptor up-regulation occurs when there are low circulating levels of a natural hormone which causes cell receptors to grow in number and become more sensitive to a hormone or a drug. For example, on an extreme low carbohydrate diet, when there is little circulating insulin, insulin receptors multiply and become more sensitive to insulin.
VLDL (VERY LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN): VLDL’s are primarily composed of triglycerides and a smaller amount of cholesterol. They are made by the liver to transport fats to various parts of the body. As VLDL’s travel throughout the body they lose cholesterol, pick up triglycerides and eventually become LDL’s.