Antibiotics - a broad category of drugs that fight infection
caused by bacteria.
Anemia - a medical condition in which a deficiency in the size or number of red blood cells or in which the quantity of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) these cells contain hampers the blood from carrying sufficient oxygen to the cells of the tissues and removing carbon dioxide from them. Most anemias result from a deficiency in the foods that are required for normal erythrocyte synthesis, principally iron, vitamin B-12, and folic acid. Other anemias are caused by several physical ailments, such as severe bleeding, hereditary medical problems, chronic illness (illness marked by long duration or frequent recurrence) or adverse effects of drugs.
Simple Carbohydrates - single-molecule sugars such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. They are known as `simple` sugars because their chemical makeup consists of just 1 sugar molecule (called `monosaccharide`) or 2 sugar molecules (called `disaccharides`), as opposed to complex carbohydrates, which contain many.
Sugars - the subunits of simple and complex sugars which can be broken down by the body to create energy. While most people associate sweetness with sucrose or table sugar, table sugar is just one type of sugar providing a sweet flavor. Simple sugars (fructose and glucose) are naturally present in fruits; additional foods have sugars, like corn syrup, which are organic blends of glucose and fructose. Another simple sugar present in milk, called lactose, is a combination of glucose and the simple sugar galactose. All simple or complex sugars are carbohydrates containing 4 calories for each gram, and all carbohydrates comprise of one or more simple sugar molecules. When digestion has been completed, sugars move through the blood to the cells and tissues of the body, where they are used as the primary fuel for the body, to assist in breaking down and digesting fat, produce proteins, or keep them as body reserves to be used when needed. Sugars have a much larger function than simply sweetening foods. In addition, they give food singular functional qualities, such as browning and texture and also enhance the enjoyment of relishing a healthful diet. Even though today`s consumer can pick from an extensive range of sugars - table sugar, raw sugar (a minimally-processed light-brown sugar resembling coffee crystals), turbinado sugar (partially-refined raw sugar of a pale gold color with a mild brown sugar flavor), brown sugar (refined sugar with a thin coating of molasses), honey, corn syrup - there is no noticeable distinction in the amount of nutritive calories each provides, and consequently no advantage of one, nutrition-wise, over any other variety. In addition, there is no evidence that the human body can recognize the difference between naturally-occurring or added sugars in food products.
Stretch Reflex - a protective, instinctive nerve reflex, which causes contraction of the muscles. Overstretching the muscles or vigorous bouncing could set off this reflexive action, by which muscles are trying to protect themselves from damage or injury.
Zeaxanthin - a carotenoid found in eggs, citrus fruits, and corn, which helps in the maintenance of eye vision.
Microfiber - a fine, synthetic fiber of tightly woven polyester or nylon fibers that is fairly resistant to light rain and to wind and is also a breathable fabric. Shells used in outdoor workouts are often fashioned from this light and convenient synthetic fabric.
Renal - a term that refers to the kidneys.
Hydrogenation - the process of adding hydrogen molecules directly to an unsaturated fatty acid from sources such as vegetable oils to convert it to a semi-solid form such as shortening. Hydrogenation gives important texture to food products. The level of hydrogenation influences the consistency and spreadability of margarine products, flakiness of pie crust and the smooth, rich texture of desserts. Hydrogenated oils are sometimes utilized in lieu of other fats that contain a greater percentage of fats from animal sources, like butter or lard. Consuming a great deal of trans fatty acids might raise heart disease risk.
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) - a compound that is the chief source of energy for most metabolic processes in living organisms, including muscle contraction, and several other functions.
Basal Metabolism - the amount of energy required to maintain the basic metabolism of an individual in a resting state. It is closely related to the muscle mass.
Salmonella - a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause food-borne illnesses, occurring in several species of birds and animals, specially poultry and pigs. In ecological surroundings, salmonella is found in soil, insects, factory and kitchen surfaces, animal feces, and uncooked meats, poultry (including eggs), and seafood.
Quadriceps - also referred to as quads, the group of 4 muscles on the anterior portion of the thigh. Quads bend the legs at the hips and extend the knee. Keeping them strong could help ward off injuries to the knee.
Tendon - the tough, fibrous band of tissue that attaches muscles to bones; the condition of having a damaged (inflamed and painful) tendon is known as tendonitis.
Insulin Resistance - a medical condition in which the cells have an impaired biological response to insulin. Quite a few individuals who have adult-onset (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes produce enough insulin, but their bodies fail to react properly to the action of insulin. This may occur because the individual is overweight or obese and has an abnormal number of fat cells, which fail to adequately react to insulin. Furthermore, as people get on in years, their body cells no longer have the same capacity to react efficiently to insulin.
LDL - the chief cholesterol-carrying blood substance. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) seems to be the cause of heart ailments and is better known as the `bad` cholesterol. By contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is increasingly considered healthy and known as the `good` cholesterol. (Also refer to Low-Density Lipoprotein.)
Post-Exercise Energy Consumption - the continuing elevated (above resting) amounts of calories being used up due to recovery from a physical activity or workout. During the recovery phase, energy is used for the body to repair muscles and tissues and replenish oxygen levels in muscle tissues.
Whole Grains - the whole seed of grain, including the bran (outer coating or `shell`), germ (core that is packed with nutrients) and endosperm (storehouse of complex carbohydrates). The health advantage the body derives from whole grains is the reduced chances of developing cardiovascular illness, which results from the combination of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals present in whole grains.
Alpha Cells - cells in the pancreas (the area called the islets of the Langherans), which produce glucagon, a hormone which, in turn, causes a rise in blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Alveoli - tiny air sacs inside the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Candida - an yeast like fungus often occurring around the female genital area.
Sodium Nitrite - a kind of salt used for smoked or cured fish and in meat-curing preparation. It functions as a preserving agent and color fixative. It is able to blend in with chemical secretions present in the stomach to form nitrosamine, a cancer-causing chemical substance.
Hypertension - blood pressure that is consistently high. This ailment is the most common public health disease in developed countries. The current focus on health-benefiting changes to living patterns has given diet a prominent function for both the primary prevention and management of hypertension.
