glossary of terms
- Adaptogen
- A term for a substance, usually an herb, that produces suitable adjustment in the body. Adaptogens tend to normalize body function and are eliminated when the job is complete without side effects.
- Allergen
- A substance that provokes an allergic response.
- Alternative Therapy
- The treatment of disease by means other than conventional medical, pharmacological, and surgical techniques.
- Amino Acid
- Any of twenty-two nitrogen containing organic acids from which proteins are made.
- Antigen
- A substance that can elicit the formation of an anti-body when introduced into the body.
- Antioxidant
- A substance that blocks or inhibits destructive oxidation reactions.
- Arteriosclerosis
- A circulatory disorder characterized by a thickening and stiffening of the walls of large and medium sized arteries.
- Ascorbate
- A mineral salt of vitamin C. Ascorbates are less irritating and provide for better absorption of both vitamin C and the mineral.
- Autoimmune Disorder
- Any condition in which the immune system reacts inappropriately to the body’s own tissues and attacks them, causing damage and/or interfering with normal functioning.
- Bioflavanoid
- Essential for the stability and absorption of Vitamin C.
- Blood Sugar
- The glucose present in the blood.
- Blood-Brain Barrier
- A mechanism that prevents many substances from passing out of the blood vessels to be absorbed by brain tissue.
- Candida Albicans
- A type of fungus normally present in the body but in overabundance can cause a yeast infection.
- Carbohydrate
- Organic substances, almost all of plant origin, that are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and serve as the major source of energy in the diet.
- Carcinogen
- An agent that is capable of inducing cancerous changes in cells and or tissues.
- Cholesterol
- A crystalline substance that is soluble in fats that, in excess, can be a potential threat to health.
- Coenzyme
- A molecule that works with an enzyme to enable the enzyme to perform its function in the body; essential in the utilization of vitamins and minerals.
- Complex Carbohydrate
- A carbohydrate that releases its sugar in to the body relatively slowly and also provides fiber. Also known as polysaccharides.
- Diuretic
- Tending to increase urine flow, or a substance that promotes the excretion of liquids.
- Elastin
- A protein that gives tissue its elasticity.
- Electrolyte
- Soluble salts dissolved in the body’s fluids.
- Ellagic Acid
- A phytochemical found in strawberries and grapes that helps rid the body of free radicals.
- Endorphin
- Natural hormonelike substance found in the brain; suppresses the sensation of pain.
- Enzyme
- One of many specific protein catalysts that initiate or speed chemical reactions in the body without being consumed.
- Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
- Three unsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid-that are essential for health and cannot be manufactured by the body.
- Free Radical
- An atom or group of atoms that is highly chemically reactive because it has at least one unpaired electron. Free radicals can attack cells and cause damage in the body.
- Free Radical Scavenger
- a substance that removes or destroys free radicals.
- Gastritis
- Inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Gastroenteritis
- Inflammation of the mucous lining of the stomach and intestines.
- GERD
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; frequent indigestion or heartburn.
- Gingivitis
- Inflammation of the gums surrounding teeth.
- Glycogen
- A complex carbohydrate that is the main form in which glucose is stored in the body, primarily in the liver and muscles.
- HDL cholesterol
- A type of lipoprotein commonly referred to as “good cholesterol” because high levels indicate a low risk for heart disease.
- Herbal Therapy
- The use of herbal combinations for healing or cleansing purposes.
- Homeopathy
- A medical system based on the belief that “like cures like”, that illness can be cured by taking a minute dose of a substance that, if taken by a healthy person would produce symptoms like those being treated.
- Hyaluronic Acid
- An organic acid known as the most effective natural skin moisturizer.
- Hydrocloric Acid
- A strong, corrosive inorganic acid that is produced in the stomach to aid digestion.
- Hypoallergenic
- Having a low capacity for inducing allergic responses.
- Immunodeficiency
- A defect in the functioning of the immune system. It can be inherited or acquired, reversible or permanent.
- Insulin
- A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the metabolism of glucose in the body.
- Intestinal Flora
- The friendly bacteria present in the intestines.
- Isoflavones
- A class of phytochemical that inhibits the uptake of estrogen, which may help prevent estrogen based cancers such as breast cancer.
- IU
- International Unit. A measure of potency based on an accepted international standard.
- LDL Cholesterol
- A type of lipoprotein that is commonly referred to as bad cholesterol because high levels indicate a high risk of heart disease.
- Lecithin
- A mixture of phospholipids that is composed of fatty acids, glycerol, phosporus, and choline or inositol. All living cell membranes are largely composed of lecithin.
- Lipid
- Substances found in nature that are soluble in the same organic solvents as fats and oils.
- Lipoprotein
- A type of protein molecule that incorporates a lipid.
- Lutein
- A phytochemical found in kale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables that is beneficial for eyes.
- Lycopene
- A phytochemical found in tomatoes that appears to afford protection against prostate cancer and to protect the skin against harm from ultraviolet rays..
- Metabolism
- The physical and chemical processes necessary to sustain life, including the production of cellular energy, the synthesis of important biological substances and degradation of various compounds.
- Microgram
- A measurement of weight equivalent to 1/1000 milligram.
- Millogram
- A measurement of weight equivalent to 1/1000 gram.
- Naturopathy
- A form of health care that uses diet, herbs, and other natural methods and substances to cure illness without the use of drugs.
- Nutraceutical
- A food or nutrient based product or supplement designed and/or used for a specific clinical and/or therapeutic purpose.
- Nutrient
- A substance that is needed by the body to maintain life and health.
- Organic
- A term used to describe foods that are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals.
- Osteoporosis
- A disorder in which minerals leach out of the bones, rendering them progressively more porous and fragile.
- Oxidation
- A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with another substance, resulting in a chemical transformation.
- Pathogen
- A toxin or small organism that can cause disease.
- Peptide
- A substance composed of two or more amino acids.
- PH
- Potential of Hydrogen. A scale used to measure the relative acidity or alkalinity of substances.
- Placebo
- A pharmacologically inactive substance, primarily used in experiments to provide a basis for comparison with pharmacologically active substances.
- Probiotics
- Elements that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the body.
- Serotonin
- A neurotransmitter found principally in the brain that is considered essential for relaxation, sleep and concentration.
- Sublingual
- “Under the tongue”.
- Toxicity
- The quality of being poisonous.
- Triglyceride
- A compound consisting of three fatty acids plus glycerol.
- Virus
- Any of a vast group of minute, often disease-causing structures not affected by antibiotics.
