Glossary
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40/30/30 - a food plan comprising an accurate balanced ratio of carbohydrates (40%), fat (30%) and proteins (30%) to achieve a balanced state of nutrition.
Allergen - A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Allergy - A condition in which the body has an exaggerated response to a substance (e.g. food or drug).
Amino Acid - an organic compound that is a basic structural unit of peptides and proteins.
Antioxidant - Substance that inhibits oxidation and can guard the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Astaxanthin - Carotenoid pigment supplement and antioxidant.
Asthma - A lung disease in which tightening of the air passages characterized by wheezing and difficulty breathing; usually of allergic origin.
Autoimmune - A process by which a person’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
Beta-sitosterol - is one of the main subcomponents of a group of plant sterols known as phytosterols.
Bioavailability - Rate and extent to which a drug is absorbed or is otherwise available to the treatment site in the body.
Bioflavonoid - Plant derivative with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
BMI - Body Mass Index, the number, derived by using height and weight measurements, that gives a general indication if weight falls within a healthy range.
BPH / Benign Prostate Hypertrophy - Enlargement of the prostate gland, which may interfere the flow of urine.
Bronchitis - Infection of the airways (bronchi) & Inflammation (swelling and reddening), leading to the lungs.
Carotenoid - Red to yellow pigments responsible for the characteristic color of many plant organs or fruits, such as tomatoes, carrots, etc. They have antioxidant properties.
Cholesterol - A fatty substance (lipid) found in body tissue and fat.
Chondroitin - Decreases the activity of enzymes which break down cartilage in a joint. Stimulates the secretion of joint fluid & increases viscosity, anti inflammatory in nature.
CMO - This is a compound of an unsaturated fatty acid commonly found in fish oils, whale oils, dairy butter etc.
Co Q-10 - an enzyme which is a constituent of every cell in the body that is used in the production of energy.
Colostrum - The antibody-rich first milk produced immediately before and after giving birth. It provides essential nutrients and infection-fighting antibodies.
DHA - This is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid - a vital component of the phospholipids of human cellular membranes, especially those in the brain and retina. It is necessary for optimal development.
Dietary Supplement - Vitamins, minerals, or other substances taken by mouth, and intended as an addition to the diet.
Digestive enzymes - Enzymes that speed the process of breaking large food molecules into smaller units that are absorbed into the cells.
Emollient - An agent that softens and soothes the skin when applied locally.
EMU - The Emu is a prehistoric bird thought to have roamed the outback of Australia some 80 million years ago.
EMU Oil - Rendered from the thick layer of subcutaneous fat on the back, it is a good emollient and water-binding agent and has anti-inflammatory properties.
EPA - a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, a precursor of the series-3 prostaglandins, the series-5 leukotrienes and the series-3 thromboxanes, which are anti-artherogenic and antithrombogenic.
Essential Fatty Acids - Unsaturated fatty acids which cannot be synthesized in the body and are considered essential for maintaining health.
EU - European Union.
Fibromyalgia - chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints, accompanied by fatigue.
Free Radicals - Highly reactive molecules capable of causing damage in the cells and other tissue.
Glucosamine - an amino sugar used to create cushioning fluids and tissues around joints.
Glycemic Index - A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food's effect on blood sugar levels. The higher the score, the faster is the increase in level of blood sugar.
HDL - High density lipoprotein, known as "good" cholesterol because it deposits cholesterol in the liver, where it is excreted by the body.
Homocysteine - A toxic waste product produced during cellular metabolism. This amino acid that is believed to damage cells that line arteries.
Immune system - The body's system of defenses that protects the body against diseases & invasion by foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, and from cancer cells.
Inflammation - a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat.
Insomnia - inability to sleep or to remain asleep throughout the night.
Isotonic - Having the same salt concentration as blood. An isotonic cellular environment occurs when an equal solute concentration exists inside and outside the cell.
Lactoferrin - A protein found naturally within milk and other parts of body that has been shown in research to be a natural antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antiviral, and immune booster.
LDL - Low density lipoprotein, known as "bad" cholesterol because high LDL is linked to coronary artery disease.
Lean body mass - Body weight minus body fat; primarily muscle, bone and other non-fat tissue.
Lutein - A carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables that is an excellent antioxidant. It is found in high concentrations in the eye, and has been shown to protect against blindness caused by macular degeneration.
Lycopene - A red pigment found in tomatoes and some fruits. It is a very potent anti-oxidant& detoxifier.
Macular degeneration - A chronic disease of the eyes caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, which is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye.
Metastasis - Spread of cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body.
MSM - Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) contains sulfur in a form the body can readily use. Sulfur is necessary for the production of collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin and certain anti-oxidants, all of which are vital to healthy cartilage and overall joint health.
Nano Technology - Technology dealing with matter on a molecular size scale of nanometers (1 billionth of a meter).
Nutraceutical - any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.
Obesity - A condition in which a person is more than 20 percent overweight due to excess fat accumulation in the body.
Oxidation - The process of combining oxygen with another substance or a chemical change in which an atom loses electrons.
Pathogens - Micro-organisms that cause disease
Pectin - A substance in fruit that cements the plant cells together & is an emulsifier and thickening agent.
Phytoesterogens - Plant compounds that have weak estrogen-like effects.
Phytosterols - Present in cell membranes of plants which act as cholesterol by providing support to the cell membrane.
Pituitary - An endocrine gland located at the base of the brain which secretes important hormones.
Policosanol - is the generic term used for a mixture of long-chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols. These alcohols are derived from the waxes of plants such as sugar cane & yams & also in beeswax.
Probiotic - A group of live microbial organisms which favors the beneficial bacteria in the body while inhibiting harmful microbes.
Prostate - A gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder which surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen.
Respiratory - Relating to breathing or the lungs.
Retina - A light-sensitive membrane lining the posterior part of the inside of the eye.
Saw Palmetto - A natural herb that has been shown to be an effective antiandrogen, used to treat an enlarged prostate.
Sea Cucumber - An elongated animal which is an excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. It also contains a potent anti-inflammatory that promotes the healing of injuries.
Secale cereale - Rye (Secale cereale) is a grass grown extensively as a grain and forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat, although it is the singular species in the genus Secale. Rye grain is used to make flour, feed, some whiskeys and most vodkas. Rye, alone or over seeded, is planted as a livestock forage or harvested for hay.
Sinusitis - An inflammation of the sinuses (hollow spaces in the bone of the cheeks and forehead) due to infection, with secretions from the nose, and headache.
Steroids - Any of a number of natural or synthetic substances that regulate body function.
Stevia Extract - A South American plant widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and is available in the US and Canada as a health food supplement. It is much sweeter than sugar with out negative effects.
Succulent - A plant that has a specialized fleshy tissue in roots, stems, or leaves for the conservation of water.
Surfactant - A soluble chemical compound that reduces the surface tension between two liquids.
Synergistic - simultaneous action of separate things that have a greater total effect than the sum of their individual effect.
Synovial fluid - A fluid within the joint which assists in lubrication and nutrition of the joint.
Thermo genesis - It is the process of heat production.
Thrombosis - The formation or development of a blood clot in a blood vessel.
Toxic - Harmful, destructive or deadly to living things.
Toxins - Term applied to poisons in living systems.
Trans fat / hydrogenated fat - vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen in order to make it more solid and give it a longer shelf life.
Transdermal - through the unbroken skin; refers to medications applied directly to the skin such as (creams or ointments) or in time-release forms (skin patches).
Urinary incontinence - A condition in which a person is unable to hold urine in the bladder and prevent its leakage.
Vegecap - Capsule shell made from vegetable / plant source usually carrageenan or cellulose. These are non-gelatin capsules which are suitable for vegetarians.
XBS - Extended benefit System.
