Obesity
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Phytochemicals: Neither vitamins nor minerals, these are naturally occuring substances in foods like fruits, vegetables and wholegrains that trigger beneficial chemical reactions within the body (“Phyto” means “plant”). There are thousands of phytochemicals including bioflavonoids, resveratrol.
Polyunsaturated Fat: This, (a liquid at room temperature) also called Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) is largely found in certain vegetable oils like corn, sunflower, and oily fish. This is generally known to lower bad as well as good cholesterol.
Prebiotic: This family of carbohydrates, mainly found in plant foods feed the probiotics (beneficial microorganisms present in the intestines).
Probiotic: This is a Greek word meaning “for life”. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms (bacteria) present in the intestines.
Protein: A complex compound formed from nitrogen and found in all animal and vegetable food tissues. Proteins contain amino acids and serve as enzymes, hormones and are needed for the growth and repair of body tissues.
Resveratrol: This phytochemical helps to ward off heart attacks and strokes with its blood-thinning property. It is found in grapes, especially in red, grape juice and wine.
Saturated Fat: This, also called Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA) is largely found in animal products such as milk, butter, meat. This is known to increase bad cholesterol.
Simple Carbohydrates: These, like refined starches and sugar are digested quickly resulting in sharp rise of blood sugar levels. Also called high glycemic index foods.
Sorbitol: A sweet-tasting crystalline alcohol found in some fruits and used in the industry as a food additive such as in sugar substitute for diabetes.
Spasm: A sudden involuntary contraction of the muscles occuring in an exaggerated form.
Sprouts: These are essential young living plants germinated from wholegrains and seeds. They rank as the freshest and most nutritious of all vegetables. Sprouted food acquires vastly improved digestibility and nutritional qualities when compared to non-sprouted embryo from which it derives.
Syndrome X: Also linked to Insulin Resistance, it is a term to describe a cluster of symptoms, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol and obesity which appear together in some individuals and indicates a pre-disposition to diabetes and heart disease. The main indicator of Syndrom X is a large potbelly.
Thermogenesis: This is food-induced heat production by burning calories in the process of eating, digesting, absorbing and assimilating food in the body.
Toxins: Any of a group of poisonous substances produced by living organisms, especially those formed in the body and stimulating the production of antibodies.
Trans Fat / Trans Fatty Acid: See Hydrogenation.
Triglycerides: A compound consisting of glycerol and a fatty acid. These are fat storage molecules and are the major lipid component of the diet.
Virus: Minute particles of any group of infectious agents that reproduce only in living cells and capable of infecting all animals, humans and plants. These are not affected by antibiotics.
Vitamin: Any of a group of organic compounds essential in small amounts for many living organisms to maintain normal health and development. They cannot be synthesised by the body.
