Amino Acid Score - a ratio of the actual quantities of individual
amino acids present in any food substance, or present in the diet relative to the bodily requirement for the amino acid. Does not measure if the amino acid is digestible.
Binge Eating Disorder - an eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled eating of vast amounts of food.
Background Retinopathy - a preliminary stage of diabetic retinopathy (leaking of retinal blood vessels) that typically does not impair eyesight. Also referred to as `simple retinopathy` or `nonproliferative retinopathy`.
Anthocyanidins - a kind of flavonoid present in various fruits, which supplies the health benefits of neutralizing free radicals, perhaps reducing the risk of cancer.
Cholesterol (Dietary) - cholesterol that comes from animal products in the diet. Cholesterol is not a fat, but is instead a fatty substance classified as a lipid. Cholesterol is crucial to sustain life and is found in all cell membranes. Cholesterol is necessary for the production of bile acids (that help digest fat) and steroid hormones (steroids that act like hormones). Dietary cholesterol is present only in animal foods. Abundant in animal-organ meats (such as liver, kidneys, etc.) and egg yolks, cholesterol is also found in meats and poultry. Unsaturated fats (vegetable oils and shortening) are cholesterol-free.
Crop Residues - parts of plants (stalks, seeds, leaves, etc.) left behind from the earlier crop that are left on the soil surface. These field residues reduce soil erosion, pollution of the air and surface-water bodies, maximize soil moisture, and supplement minerals in the soil by adding organic matter.
Moderating Dietary Fat - The Dietary Guidelines for Americans published in 2005 advocate a total fat intake between 20 and 35 percent of calories for adults to meet daily energy and nutritional needs while minimizing the danger of chronic illnesses. In `02, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that the intake of saturated (animal) fats should be under 10 percent of calories, cholesterol should be less than 300 mg/day, and the intake of trans fatty acid (hydrogenated fats) be kept to the absolute minimum. The intake of specific fats is encouraged due to their helpful health effects, which are discussed in-depth in the Functional Foods page of IFIC.org. The USDA`s MyPyramid food guidance program recommends oils from foods like certain kinds of fish, nuts, and vegetable oils, on account of their beneficial health-related properties. According to the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes of Individuals (CFII), the mean intake of overall fat within the US varies approximately between 32% to 34% of total caloric intake. The main contributors include butter, margarine, vegetable oils, egg yolks, nuts, baked goods, and visible fat on meat and poultry. Saturated fats (fats from animal sources) form approximately 11 to 12 percent of overall caloric intake in adult diets, according to the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) implemented between `88 and `94.
Body Wrap - a health and beauty treatment that assists in taking off inches, altering body shape, size, and contour and also in tightening and toning the skin. This treatment entails encasing the body in coverings made of hot linens and other therapeutic materials, which are steeped in specific ingredients. The treatment targets the specific areas of concern and it helps in slimming and diffusing the toxins that are responsible for `cottage cheese` skin or cellulite.
Obesity - excessively excessive quantity of body weight and body fat that is much more than what is considered conducive to good health: 20 percent more than ideal body weight. A person`s body weight is determined by numerous factors: hereditary, metabolic, behavioral, environmental impacts, cultural, and social and economic influences. Explorations into the cause of obesity reveal that energy intake, regardless of macronutrient source, plays a key role in body weight. For example, while the percent of calories from fats has dipped in the US diet, there is no proof that body weight is also on the decline. However, research has shown that a considerable decrease in the percentage of fat in the total caloric count will result in a minor reduction of body weight for those individuals with normal body weight or those who are moderately obese. Some scientists argue that the amount and distribution of a person`s body fat is a significant signaler of risk of certain diseases and, therefore, needs to be factored into the definition of overweight and obesity. Abdominal fat (that is, fat centrally distributed between the thorax and pelvis) has been linked to a greater health risk compared to fat in the thighs or hips. Consequently, some health professionals prefer measuring the waist-to-hip ratio in order to help decide whether a person is carrying excess weight.
Antigen - a foreign substance (almost always a protein) which, when introduced into body tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies by the immune system.
Albuminuria - a condition in which a protein known as albumin is present in a patient`s urine above a specified level - could be an indication of potential damage to the kidneys.
Saponins - the functional ingredient of soybeans, soy foods and soy protein-containing food, which may bring down low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and may contain anti-cancer enzymes.
Weight Control - attaining and being able to maintain an optimal weight through balanced nutrition (basically healthy eating behaviors) and including regular exercise.
Lactose - a complex sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products, and also called `milk sugar`. It is the least sweet of all natural sugars and is utilized in baby formulas and candies.
Malabsorption - impaired assimilation of nutrients by the digestive tract. It may be due to an adverse reaction to medication or a health problem (such as anemia) or a disease (such as irritable bowel syndrome).
No-till Farming - a method of farming in which the planter limits or eliminates using machines to plow or turn over the soil (such as, minimizing tillage). The plant residue (stems, leaves, etc.) left on the field after the previous harvest helps to control weeds and decrease the wearing away of the soil by wind or water, but this practice also supplies a hospitable environment for insects to live and reproduce, creating a need for stronger measures in pest control.
Abs - the collective name for the muscles of the section of the torso under the chest. These muscles are those that contribute to core conditioning and, when not in good shape, may be one of the factors causing back pain.
Blood Glucose - also known as blood sugar, means the sugar that is found in the bloodstream.