Agrochemicals - the expression for artificially produced chemicals - such as additives used in animal feed, medical drugs, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They are utilized in agriculture in order to better the yield of crops or rearing of domesticated farm animals, or those raised for commercial purposes. In addition, people use pesticides within the home and/or outdoors in order to do away with termites and cockroaches, clean mold off shower curtains, stave off crabgrass in their gardens, get rid of ticks and fleas on pets and sanitize outdoor pools, to list just a few `specialty` uses for chemical pesticides.
Nutraceutical - a biological food (such as soya or garlic) or dietary supplement (such as cod liver oil or garlic capsules) reported to provide medical or health benefits over and above just nutrition, which includes protection against chronic disease. Studies show that the term `nutraceutical` (a combination of the words `nutritional` and `pharmaceutical`) may not be popular with consumers. (Also refer to `Functional Foods`.)
Unsaturated Fat - a fat which is in liquid form at room temperature. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (from vegetable and plant oils) belong to this category. When unsaturated fats are used instead of saturated fats (fats in animal meats and skin, dairy products, and palm and coconut oil) in the diet, they help lower blood cholesterol levels and thus decrease the risk of cardiac disease. The 6th edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued in `05, suggests limiting the total amount of fat consumed to within 20 and 35% of total caloric intake, with most fats being contributed by sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids like fish that have omega-3 fats (such as salmon, herring, and mackerel), vegetable oils, and nuts. Canola, olive, peanut, high oleic safflower and sunflower oils, and nuts are abundant sources of monounsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats that are essential as a dietary component are alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids, which are found in walnuts, flaxseeds and vegetable oils.
Artheriosclerosis - look at `Arteriosclerosis`.
Synergistic Effect - the multiplied (instead of just added) effect achieved by the blending of two or more than two substances or organisms which is greater than the sum of the individual components.
Buffed - colloquial expression used to describe a health buff who has good muscle size and definition.
Lipids - a group of compounds, which includes triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids, and sterols.
Biomechanics - the science that studies the effects of internal and external forces on the body`s muscular activities.
Herbicides - a class of crop protection and specialty chemicals utilized to inhibit or kill hostile plants such as weeds on agricultural farms and in wooded areas, as well as in non-agricultural purposes, such as on golf links, public tracts of land and household gardens.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) - an additive used to enhance the flavor of foods. Monosodium Glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, which is among the most common amino acids occurring in nature.
Thermal Effect of Food - the increase in amount of energy expended during the biological processes of digestion, assimilation and synthesis of food intake; this figure represents about 10 % of an individual`s total energy usage, which includes facultative thermogenesis and obligatory thermogenesis (energy dissipated as heat in the many energetic transformations inherent to life); commonly called DIT (diet-induced thermogenesis).
Nitrite - a safe food additive which has been used for centuries to preserve meat and poultry, as well as fish. It also is responsible for the inimitable flavor and aroma, color and consistency of processed meats like hot dogs. Because nitrite safeguards cured meats against the most fatal foodborne bacterium ever known, Clostridium (C.) botulinum, its utilization is promoted by public-health groups. The human body produces substantially more nitrite levels than are used as food additives. Nitrates consumed in foods such as green vegetables and carrots are converted to nitrite during digestion. Nitrite in the human body is absolutely vital in helping blood clotting, healing burns and wounds, and boosting immune function to kill tumor cells.
Xylitol - a sweetener found in fruits and vegetables (such as strawberries, lettuce, and carrots) and used as a sugar substitute.
Cancer - the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells. In `05, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee stated `the evidence between total fat intake and certain cancers is suggestive but not conclusive`. Research data report that the regular consumption of foods that are relatively low in vitamin B (folate) and calcium and meat, and alcohol are associated with a higher risk of developing cancer of the colon and/or rectum. The data also suggests that dietary fat from animal sources may be associated with a higher probability of prostate cancer. The present research provides some evidence that, as a rule, the amount of fat in the diet does not appear to be linked to the probability of breast cancer. An important question that remains is whether the reported links between dietary fats and the danger for developing a malignancy are interrelated with the amount of fat, or is directly related to the kind of fatty acid, or linked with some other food factor. Analyzing the relationship between cancers and specific kinds of fats is a vital topic of current research.
Stearate - a saturated fatty acid comprised of 18 carbon atoms that form its molecular structure, which is fundamentally non-reactionary in terms of leading to coronary heart illness in humans (in the sense that it does not noticeably raise low-density lipoprotein levels in the blood). Because of the heart disease neutrality and resistance to oxidation/breakdown, stearate-containing oils make excellent cooking oils.
Digestion - the organic process by which the stomach and intestines convert food into substances that can be absorbed into the body.
Controlled Experiment - a controlled set of variables in a research study. In this sort of research, study subjects (whether animal or human) are selected based on applicable qualities, and subsequently randomly assigned to either a test group, or a control group (that will not be given the experimental treatment). Random assignment makes certain that factors known as variables, which could have an impact on the outcome of the research study, are diffused equally between the two groups and hence could not lead to differences in the effect of the treatment being studied. The testing group is next provided with a treatment (also called an intervention), and the conclusions are evaluated against the control group, which is not given treatment. A placebo (an inactive substance resembling the test medication and given for psychological effect), or other inactive treatment, might be given to the control group. Given that each of the other variables has been controlled, differences between the experimental and control may be ascribed to the treatment under study.
Adult-onset Diabetes - look at `type 2 diabetes`.
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) - the unit of energy required to keep the body functioning when it is at rest. BMR is the energy level required to keep involuntary body processes going. These processes include heartbeat, breathing, generating body heat, sweating to keep cool, and sending messages to the brain. The basal metabolic rate is generally calculated based on the amount of oxygen that is used. For a sedentary individual, Basal Metabolic Rate uses up about 60 to 70 percent of the total energy expended during a day; the remaining 30-40 percent is from physical movement and action and from body heat produced after a meal. Physical activity is responsible for up to 50 to 60% of the of the total energy expenditure in those who include regular aerobic workouts in their lifestyles.
USDA (US Department of Agriculture) - the United States Department of Agriculture includes numerous institutions that each regulates a different task related to agriculture and food supply. Among these is providing a safe, affordable, nutritious and accessible supply of food products. In addition, the USDA enhances the standard of living for American citizens by promoting the generation of agricultural produce; caring for agricultural, forest, and range land; nurturing robust growth of rural populations; supplying financial prospects for rural and farming populations; globalizing the market for forest and agricultural products & services; and making a proactive effort to decrease hunger and poverty within the United States and all through the world.
Methionine - an indispensable amino acid, which provides the body with sulfur as well as labile (unstable) methyl groups, which are necessary for normal metabolism.
High Blood Pressure - an alternative term for `hypertension`. There is a rise and fall in blood pressure all through the day. The optimal BP (blood pressure) reading is less than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, which is the unit to measure blood pressure). When blood pressure stays high, greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg, it is said to be hypertension or high blood pressure. High blood pressure raises the health risk for heart ailments or a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), more commonly known as `stroke`.
ADI (acceptable daily intake) - the level of chemical substances which, even if ingested daily over a lifetime, is apparently without substantial effect. Excessive levels of chemical intake have allegedly been associated with some birth defects. Based on the findings of the CDC, including sufficient folic acid can efficiently remove the health risk of NTD`s. (Also see Folic Acid.)
Comorbidity - a potentially deadly side-effect brought about by an ongoing health condition. With particular reference to morbid obesity (severe obesity with a BMI of over 40), excess accumulation of fatty tissue could cause comorbidities, like diabetes or cardiac arrest.
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