Biomechanics - applies mechanical principles to the study of
how the human body moves.
Set - the number of repetitions of a movement, for instance an arm curl or a squat. Squatting (by assuming a crouching position with the knees bent and then assuming an upright posture) or doing a bicep curl (lifting a barbell to shoulder height to work the biceps) is one repetition. Doing that 8 times comprises one set.
Morbid Obesity - a diagnosed condition for a person with a body mass index of 40 or 40+, which is roughly equivalent to 100 pounds or higher than the ideal body weight; an excess of weight that is considered to be a threat to life.
Islet Cells (Islets of Langerhans) - clumps of cells in the pancreas, which include the alpha and beta cells that produce glucagon and insulin respectively.
Diallyl Sulfide (DAS) - a class of sulphur compound /thoil found in pungent foods like garlic and onions, and green vegetables like leeks, scallions and olives, which may provide the health advantages of lowering `bad` cholesterol and of maintaining a healthy immune system.
Registered Dietitian (R.D.) - a health care practitioner who is a food and nutrition specialist. An individual who has studied diet and nutrition at an American Dietetic Association (ADA)-approved college program and successfully completed an examination in order to become an accredited dietitian.
Low-Calorie Sweeteners - sweetening agents that give a sweet flavor with few or no accompanying calories. These are sweeteners that don`t add calories or provide energy, also called `intense sweeteners`. These sweeteners can take the place of nutritive sweeteners (that supply calories and energy to the body) in almost every kind of food at a caloric savings of about 16 calories per teaspoon. Thus, a substantial caloric count could be reduced if full-calorie foods and beverages are replaced by low-calorie sweeteners. Before being authorized by the FDA for use in the US, non-nutritive sweeteners must undergo rigorous safety tests. All the FDA-approved low-calorie sweetening agents must match same safety standards. These low-calorie sweeteners may be safely ingested by children or pregnant women. The 6 intense, low-calorie sweeteners presently approved for use in the USA are acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and tagatose. The FDA is reviewing petitions to approve additional low-calorie, intense sweetening agents for use in the U.S. food supply chain: alitame and cyclamate. Both have been authorized for use in numerous other countries.
Catechins - a kind of flavonoid found in tea, which provides the health advantages of neutralizing free radicals and possibly lowering the health risk of malignancies.
Carcinogens (natural and synthetic) - any substance or agent that promotes cancer. The essential mechanism involved in carcinogenesis (the sequence of biological events that leads to the development of cancer) - starting with exposure to the carcinogen up to the expression of malignant tumors - are qualitatively alike, if not identical, for the man-made and biological carcinogens. Therefore, both organic and inorganic chemicals can be analyzed by the same epidemiological studies or experimental methods and procedures.
Quadriceps - also known as `quads`, the large group of 4 muscles of the front of the thigh. Quads flex the legs at the hips and extend the knee. Toning and strengthening this muscle group can help prevent knee injuries.
Triceps - the group of muscles on the back of the upper arms, which adduct the arm and allow pushing movements of the arms.
Buffed - slang term to denote a health buff with well-defined and well-developed muscles.
Candida - an yeast like fungal infection usually occurring around the female genital area.
Anorexia Nervosa - a psychological and physiological eating disorder, whose characteristic symptoms are refusal to maintain a minimal normal weight in terms of height and age and a pathological fear of becoming obese and, therefore, a skewed view of oneself. The illness includes losing a lot of weight, which causes weight going down to fifteen percent below the standard for that height and age; obsessive fear of becoming gross and unsightly due to excess weight disregarding the person actually being underweight; a disturbance in the self-awareness of one`s own body weight and shape; and in adolescent girls and young women, missing at least 3 successive menstruations that could normally be anticipated. It may also have symptoms such as throwing up, excessive exercise and other physiological changes. This disorder most often targets adolescent females, but might be found in males, children, and adults.
Hybridization (Crops) - the cross-breeding of 2 plant species or plants that are genetically different strains of the same species so as to breed hybrids possessing certain attributes of both parents. Those (hybrid) strains tend to be healthier when compared to their parent - an occurrence referred to as `hybrid vigor`.
Vitamins - organic micronutrients which are key nutrients in very moderate quantities to function as metabolic regulators in the body and cannot be synthesized by the body. Vitamins are generally grouped by their solubility, which, to a certain limit decides their stability; presence in dietary nutrients; body-fluid distribution; and capacity to be stored in body tissues. Vitamins are grouped into two classes: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (C, the B vitamins, which is a complex of several vitamins). The human body is able to keep a reserve of fat-soluble vitamins in fat tissues and the liver and use these stores when needed. Vitamins that are water-soluble do not have the same storage capability and must be replaced frequently. Vitamins are indispensable to maintain a healthy body. The majority of the water-soluble vitamins are constituents of necessary enzyme systems. A lot of them are involved in the biological processes that generate energy from food nutrients. These vitamins are not routinely stored as reserves for future use within the body in substantial amounts and are generally excreted in the urine. Thus, it is worthwhile to ensure daily consumption of these vitamins to safeguard against depletion and the impairment of everyday metabolic processes.
Methylcellulose - a class of gelatinous chemical compounds, produced from methyls (water-resistant chemicals) and cellulose. It is present in jellies and fruit butters (such as apple butter) and acts as an emulsifier to prevent such products from separating into their constituent liquids.
Lactobacillus - a kind of bacterium found in yoghurt and a few additional dairy products, which could be beneficial to the gastro-intestinal tract.
Background Retinopathy - an early stage of diabetic retinopathy (damage to the small blood vessels in the retina) that typically does not damage eyesight. Also called non-proliferative retinopathy.
Complex Carbohydrates - starches and vegetable fibers such as those present in rice and pasta, grains and breads, and also vegetables and beans.
Lignans - a type of phytoestrogen found in flax, rye, and pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and some berries, which can supply the advantages of lowering `bad` cholesterol, overall cholesterol levels and fats, thus providing a measure of protection against heart problems and certain malignancies.
Biopesticide - refers to any substance that is formed naturally and which is utilized as protection against pests, which is a product or byproduct of living organisms or microorganisms, like animal and plant cells, or bacteria.
Anthocyanidins - a type of flavonoid (plant substance) found in purplish-blue fruits, which supplies the health benefits of neutralizing free radicals, and, it is likely, lowering the risk of cancer.
Somogyi Effect - the recoil of high blood sugar following low blood sugar, because of too much insulin.
Bariatric - the medical science which studies and deals with the causes of obesity, and how it can be prevented or the available medical therapies, using both medical drugs and surgical options.