Minerals - the micronutrients vital for physical fitness. As
compared with other dietary nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), minerals do not provide the body with either calories or energy. In terms of diet and nutrition, minerals are divided into two groups: macro minerals (also called `bulk` minerals or just `minerals`) and micro minerals (also called trace elements). The body needs `bulk` minerals at a minimum of 100 milligrams per day. Micro minerals are needed in smaller quantities, though they are equally essential to the body. Minerals such as calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur are macrominerals. Minerals such as chromium, copper, fluorine, iodine, manganese, selenium, and zinc are microminerals.
Plateau - attaining a certain degree or period of stability. Those who have been dieting might reach a plateau at the time they have lost weight to the extent that that their new, lower metabolic requirements are equal to the number of calories they are consuming.
Maximum Heart Rate - The peak heart rate when the body is undergoing physical effort. Rather than actually calculating the fastest rate at which an individual`s heart is able to beat, it is simpler to predict what this speed should be. The maximum heart rate can be calculated by applying a simple formula: MHR (maximum heart rate) = 220 - age.
Diabetes - the expression for a group of medical disorders characterized by excessive blood sugar (glucose) levels. Usually, when people ingest food or drink, food is digested and much of it is converted into glucose (also known as dextrose) - a type of monosaccharide (simple sugar) that is a major energy source for all cellular and bodily functions. The blood carries the glucose to tissues and cells, where it is absorbed with the help of the hormone insulin. In the case of diabetics, though, the body does not produce enough insulin, or it is not able to efficiently respond to the insulin it does make. In the absence of insulin, sugar builds up in the blood rather than being conveyed into the cells. High blood sugar levels result.
Biotechnology - the simplest definition is `applied biology`. The application of a set of biological techniques to create useful products. It may be further defined as any technology that uses living organisms (or parts of organisms) to make or modify products, or to develop microorganisms for specific uses. By this description, the standard technologies used to breed animals and plants, and for fermenting or purifying natural or synthetic enzymes, are deemed to be biotechnology. The term is sometimes employed only to describe newer tools of genetic science. In this frame of reference, biotechnology could be explained as bio-technical processes by which living cells (usually plants or animals) are genetically engineered to perform useful functions or generate beneficial products. Examples include recombinant DNA technology, in which a copy of a string of DNA carrying either one gene or more is transferred from one organism to another or `recombined` within a single organism.
Intense Sweeteners - see `low-calorie sweeteners`
Cross Training - incorporating two or more dissimilar activities into one`s regular exercise routine to minimize the chance of chronic injuries to muscles and tissues and to prevent boredom. Cycling, running, and swimming are 3 common activities used to cross-train different muscle groups.
Saccharin - a zero calorie artificial sweetening agent. Saccharin, the earliest of the non-nutritional artificial sweeteners, is currently derived from purified, synthetic methyl anthranilate, a chemical substance naturally present in grapes. Saccharine is 300 times more sweet than sucrose, retains its properties when heated, and does not cause dental caries. This artificial sweetener is durable under storage, although it leaves a somewhat bitter taste after consumption. It is not metabolized in the human digestive system, is excreted rapidly in the urine, and does not accumulate in the body.
Carbohydrate - organic compounds made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. They vary from simple sugars containing anywhere between 3 - 7 carbon atoms to highly complex polymers. Just the hexoses (sugars consisting of six carbon atoms) and pentoses (monosaccharides made up of five carbon atoms) and their complex molecule chains play important roles in nutrition. Carbohydrates present in food yield 4 calories per gram. They are a primary energy source in the diet. There are two kinds of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are sugars (such as glucose, fructrose, and lactose), while complex carbohydrates include both starches and fiber. Carbohydrates are present naturally in foods like cereals, fruits and vegetables, breads, and milk and dairy products. Foods like frosted cereals, soft drinks (such as soda pops, fruit-juice based beverages and punches) and desserts (candy, cookies, cakes, and pies) are very rich in sugars.
Weight Lifting Equipment - equipment (such as barbells) necessary to perform weight-lifting exercises.
Neotame - a multi-purpose, newly-discovered non-caloric sweetening agent made up of two basic components of protein, the amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid, combined two natural functional groups, a neohexyl group and a methyl ester group. Neotame is about 7,000 to 13,000 times more sweet in comparison with sugar and, as such, represents the `essence of sweetness` with just a very small amount needed for use. The chemical constitution of Neotame makes it stable for use in baking. Neotame was granted approval by the FDA in `02 for overall utilization in food products and beverages after a large-scale review of over a hundred trial studies confirming its safety and functionality. Neotame is rapidly metabolized, completely eliminated, and does not build up in the body. Neotame is safe for use by all individuals, including pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding, children, and those who have diabetes.
CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) - also referred to as coronary artery disease. The major anxiety over abnormal levels of saturated and trans fats in the foods that are consumed, is based on their potential contribution in increasing the cholesterol level in blood, a health-risk factor in the onset of CHD. However, a saturated fatty acid that has attracted plenty of notice is stearic acid, present mostly in animal fat and cocoa butter, which has been found to have no significant impact on blood cholesterol. More studies are being carried out to establish the positive effect, if any, of stearic acid on other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Doctors and similar healthcare experts calculate the blood cholesterol levels to help decide an individual`s susceptibility to CHD. According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), under 200 mg/dl is considered a desirable blood cholesterol level; more than 240 mg/dl is deemed to be high. Scientific researchers have also identified individual kinds of blood cholesterol. Referred to as the `bad` cholesterol, LDL fractions have most of the cholesterol in the blood and are connected with cholesterol linings on the walls of arteries, usually known as plaque. Referred to as the `good` cholesterol, HDL fractions presumably carry cholesterol out of the bloodstream and back to the liver for breakdown and excretion. Therefore, retaining high HDL levels in total cholesterol (more than 40 milligrams for every deciliter of blood), could be as vital as having low LDL levels (less than l00 mg/dl), in order to reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition to diet, a wide range of risk factors affect blood cholesterol. Risk factors beyond one`s control include race, age, and gender. Even so, there are numerous health threats that individuals are able to control. These include adhering to a healthy diet, maintaining healthy weight, exercising enough, keeping high blood pressure under control, staying away from cigarettes, and good stress management. In the case of certain individuals, genetic traits could be an even stronger indicator of blood cholesterol than diet.
Dehydration - great depletion of fluid or water from the body. An abnormally high glucose (sugar) level in the urine results in the body losing a lot of water, and the person becomes extremely parched.
Saline Solution Port - in laparoscopic gastric banding (lapband surgery), a disc-like piece of equipment implanted beneath the skin of the patient`s torso, used to adjust the constriction of the lapband.
Ascorbic Acid - also popularly known as Vitamin C, it is crucial to maintain healthy cell structure, as well as healthy gums, teeth, and strong blood vessel walls. Vitamin C enhances the manufacture of new cells in wound healing and it`s an antioxidant, which prevents free radicals from adhering to other molecules to form compounds that could damage important cellular molecules (such as DNA or lipids or other parts of the cell). Ascorbic Acid boosts the functioning of the immune system, assists in combating infection, reduces the impact of allergic responses and plays a role in the synthesis of natural peptides or steroids (hormones) and several other body chemicals and neurotransmitters. Fresh fruits and vegetables - such as green peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruit, mandarins) tomatoes, strawberries - provide fair amounts of Vitamin C.
Lactic acid - a byproduct of anaerobic (or high-intensity) workouts that collects in the muscles and causes discomfort and exhaustion.
LapBand - a hollow, adjustable band placed around a patient`s stomach. It functions to curtail the intake of food into the stomach, and also to regulate the emptying of food into the small intestine.
Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) - among the most common bacterium used in the manufacture of natural insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. More than a few of the proteins manufactured by Bt, chiefly in the outer sheath of the bacterium surrounds itself with, are toxic to certain insect species. By using Bt in pesticide formulations, the targeted insects are able to be kept under control using an environmentally benign, natural agent. Insecticides derived from BT have been extensively used by home gardeners for many years, as well as on farms.
Alveoli - tiny air sacs inside the lungs that expel carbon dioxide from the bloodstream and accept oxygen in to it.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - A class of fatty acid present in cheeses and some meat products, which may provide the health advantage of improving reduction in body fat and lipid levels and reducing the risk of certain malignancies.
Confounding Variable / Factor - an unaccounted-for variable that may cause an association which the researcher attributes to other variables.
Counseling - the professional guidance given to an individual in a specific area.
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