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Glossary of Terms

  1. Adaptogens – this term usually refers to herbs or foods that have a regulatory or normalising effect on the body. They work when the body is challenged by stress of one kind or another. Examples include ginseng and rhodiola.

  2. Anti-oxidants – beneficial chemicals that mop up free radicals in the body. This prevents damage in the body and aids repair of body cells. They are a vital component of a healthy immune system.

  3. Betaine – another name for trimethylglycine.

  4. Bioavailability – the availability of a substance for absorption by the body.

  5. Candida Albicans – one type of yeast that is found in small quantities in everyone’s gut. However, in certain circumstances (stress, antibiotics, hormonal replacement etc.) an overgrowth of candida can develop and symptoms such as flatulence and bloating may result. There are many other strains of Candida and of yeast that can also cause problems in the gut.

  6. Casein – protein found in milk and milk products that can cause dairy sensitivities and allergies.

  7. Choline – can be synthesised in the body in small amounts but not enough for health. Most choline in the body is found in fat molecules called phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine or lecithin. Without adequate phosphatidylcholine fat and cholesterol can accumulate in the liver. Choline is also a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter needed for muscle control and memory. Choline is also metabolised into betaine or tri-methylglycine to metabolise homocysteine into methionine.

  8. Cortisol – an adrenal stress hormone. Cortisol raises blood sugar, increases energy and gets you ready for action. Levels should be highest in the morning and gradually decrease over the day so that they are lowest in the evening so that you can sleep. Chronic stress can lead to excess cortisol levels; in excess cortisol suppresses the immune system, depletes the bones of minerals, interferes with sex hormone production, reduces DHEA levels, impairs skin healing, reduces muscle mass and causes insomnia. If stress continues the body’s ability to produce cortisol is reduced and adrenal fatigue results.

  9. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) – an adrenal steroidal hormone. DHEA increases muscle mass and decreases fat deposition, strengthens the bones thus preventing osteoporosis, improves resistance against infection, lowers cholesterol, aids the conversion of T4 to T3 and is a precursor to the sex hormones oestrogen and testosterone. It is also involved in brain function and cellular protection acting as an anti-oxidant. DHEA levels peak at around age 20 and decline linearly after that until the age of 70 when they stabilise.

  10. Electrolytes – these are substances that conduct an electrical charge when in solution. Sodium and potassium are important electrolytes within the body.

  11. Essential fats – the omega 3 and 6 fats are defined as essential because the body needs them to function but it cannot make them from other fats. They are needed for brain function, hormonal balance, skin, hair and nail health, energy and metabolism.

  12. Free Radicals – these are unstable chemicals that can cause damage in the body. Some are created internally during metabolism; others are created by the immune system to neutralise viruses and bacteria; others come from external factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, the sun, burnt foods etc. If insufficient anti-oxidants are available free radicals can damage cells and cause disease.

  13. Glands – these are organs in the body that secrete fluids, such as hormones, that have an effect elsewhere in the body. Examples include the adrenals, pituitary, thyroid, pineal and gonads.

  14. Gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt and kamut. It is a large and hard to digest protein that can cause digestive problems and other symptoms for many people. Wheat contains more gluten than the other gluten containing grains, so it is possible to be sensitive to wheat but fine with the other gluten grains.

  15. Homocysteine – an amino acid that should only be in the body for a fraction of a second before being metabolised into methionine. High levels of homocysteine have been associated with many disease states.

  16. Hyper – this is used as a prefix to denote excess or abnormal increases. Examples include hypertension meaning high blood pressure and hyper-thyroidism meaning an over active thyroid.

  17. Hypo – this is used as a prefix to denote deficiency or lack. Examples include hypotension meaning low blood pressure and hypo-thyroidism meaning an under-active thyroid.

  18. Inositol – works with choline in fat metabolism and is needed for healthy cell membranes, brain and neurotransmitter function. Levels are depleted by caffeine.

  19. Insulin – a protein secreted by the pancreas to carry glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells. High blood sugar levels are dangerous to the body so insulin is vital for keeping blood sugar levels in balance. Insulin encourages the storage of glucose as glycogen (the storage form of glucose) and as fat.

  20. Insulin Resistance – if blood sugar levels are constantly being raised due to stress or the intake of sugar, refined carbohydrates and stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine the body will constantly be being called on to produce insulin. This can lead to insulin resistance in which the cells of the body become deaf to insulin so that more insulin has to be produced for the glucose to be taken out of the blood and put in the cells. The higher the levels of insulin the more glucose is likely to be stored as fat, particularly around the middle of the body. Insulin resistance is also called metabolic syndrome and syndrome X. It is strongly implicated in many cases of cardiovascular disease and polycystic ovaries.

  21. Lactose – a type of sugar found in milk and milk products that requires the enzyme, lactase, to be digested. Many adults lack this enzyme and are therefore lactose intolerant.

  22. Lipids – another word for fats.

  23. Metabolic rate – the rate at which you burn calories and oxygen for energy and heat production. Your metabolic rate is controlled by the thyroid gland in the neck.

  24. Metabolism – linked to metabolic rate. When we talk about fat metabolism, for example, we mean the break down of fat for use by the body.

  25. Omega – this refers to the methylated end of fatty acids. It is symbolised by the letter w in chemical formulas. Examples include the essential fats omega 3 and 6.

  26. Parasites – organisms that should not be present in the body. Parasites feed off the host without providing any benefit. There are usually negative consequences to the health of the host.

  27. Probiotics – beneficial bacteria that should be resident in the gut and other body surfaces. These aid digestion, produce B vitamins, provide protection against incoming organisms and are a major part of the immune system. Without sufficient probiotics in the body you are more susceptible to developing an overgrowth of yeast, unhelpful bacteria and parasites. Examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria.

  28. Saccharomyces Boullardii – a type of yeast that increases the levels of SIgA in the gut. Useful in combating intestinal infections of bacteria, parasites and yeast and in supporting the function of the immune system and digestive system.

  29. SIgA (Secretory Immunoglobulin A) – the only non-inflammatory immunoglobulin in the body, much of which is found in the gut. This is the body’s first line of defence against invading organisms. Without sufficient levels of SIgA you will be susceptible to infections, inflammatory disorders and poor health. Low levels are often found in those with candida overgrowth, parasites, bacterial infections, ME, arthritis and chronic disease.

  30. Steatorhoea – fat malabsorption. Symptoms include fatty stools that are pale, bulky, float and are difficult to flush.

  31. Synergy – when 2 or more substances work together to produce an effect that is greater than the sum of their individual actions in isolation they are said to be working in synergy or to have a synergistic effect.

  32. T3 (tri-iodothyronine) – a combination of thyroxine and iodine produced partly by the thyroid gland and from the break down of T4 within the body cells. T3 is responsible for controlling your metabolic rate.

  33. T4 (thyroxine) – produced by the thyroid gland in response to Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. It is converted to T3 for control of your metabolic rate.

  34. Tri-Methylglycine (TMG) – also known as betaine. TMG is a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. It is found in small amounts in some foods but supplementation is often necessary in cases of high homocysteine or poor fat metabolism.

If there are any other terms or definitions you think would be useful to add, please send us a request.

 

 

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