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Glossary of Diet and Nutrition Terminology
Antioxidants
Definition - Antioxidants are chemical
substances in food that protect the cells against damage caused by
substances called free radicals. Some popular and powerful antioxidants
are vitamin A, lycopene,
vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and omega-3-fatty
acids. Free radicals are formed when oxygen is liberated during
certain biological processes. If these oxygen molecules or "free
radicals" are not mopped up (by antioxidants) and removed from
the body, they can lead to cell damage and poor health. Foods rich
in antioxidants protect against degenerative diseases by helping to
get rid of free radicals.
Vitamin
Definition - A
vitamin is an organic substance needed by the body for biological
processes, but that is not made by the body. Vitamins A, the B vitamins,
vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B12, biotin, and
folacin (folic acid) are key vitamins. The best source for vitamins
is food. But if you cannot get enough from food, a vitamin supplement
may be necessary. The sun is a powerful source of vitamin D. Different
vitamins play different, but vital, roles in the body.
Mineral
Definition - A
mineral is an inorganic substance found in foods and needed by the
body for certain life processes. A lack of essential minerals could
lead to ill health, and death. Some common minerals include calcium,
copper, iron, sodium, potassium,
zinc, iodine, chloride, magnesium, manganese, flouride, boron and
selenium. The proper balance of minerals in the diet is essential,
as too much of one may interfere with the absorption and/or utilization
of another.
Food
Definition
Diabetes
Definition -
diabetes is a medical term used to describe
a condition in which the body fails to properly store and use sugar.
As a result, too much sugar may build up in the blood and lead to
serious health problems, including coma, blindness, heart disease,
kidney disease and amputation of the feet. There are two main classifications
for diabetes. Type 1 diabetes and type
2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is mostly seen in children and is
a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin. Type
2 usually occurs in adults and is sometimes referred to as adult onset
diabetes. But it is seen more and more in children, and is associated
with the growing incidence of obesity. In type 2 diabetes, the body
produces a great deal of insulin, but the cells do not respond to
the circulating insulin, making it difficult for the sugar to be transported
into the cells where it is needed.
Cholesterol
Definition
Vitamin
B 12 Definition
Obesity
Definition
Osteoporosis
Definition
High
Blood Pressure Definition
Hypertension
Definition
Diet
Definition
Nutrition
Definition
Dietitian
Definition
Registered
Dietitian Definition
Nutritionist
Definition
Nutrition
Definition
Fiber
Definition
Constipation
Definition
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome Definition
Fasting
Definition
Hunger
Definition
HIV
AIDS Definition
Lycopene
Definition