Basophils - white blood cells which, when connected to IgE antibodies
(immunoglobulin E antibodies that are involved in allergic reactions like hayfever) produce histamine (a chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction) or additional bodily chemicals that produce a hypersensitive reaction to a foreign body.
Adipex - a brand name for Phentermine, an anorectic recommended to reduce the number of calories consumed.
Lactose - a kind of sugar naturally found in milk and dairy products, and also referred to as `milk sugar`. Of all the organic sugars, lactose is the least sweet and is utilized in candies and baby formulas.
Meridia - a prescription pill to encourage weight loss that decreases the craving for food by impeding the re-absorption of applicable hormones.
Pancreas - an organ at the back of the lower region of the stomach, which is roughly hand-sized. It makes insulin that is essential for the body to burn sugar (glucose) to generate energy. The pancreas also secretes enzymes that assist the body to break down and absorb food. Spread all over the pancreas are clumps of cells known as the islets of Langerhans. The cells in these areas each have a specific biological function. The alpha cells manufacture glucagon, which increases glucose levels in the bloodstream; the beta cells secrete insulin; the delta cells secrete somatostatin.
Triceps - the muscles that run along the back of the upper arms, which adduct the arm and enable pushing movements of the arms.
Intensity - the level of exertion demanded from the body during physical exercise. Broadly speaking, the faster the heart beats) the more exacting or intense the activity.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - the United States Department of Agriculture comprises of numerous departments charged with different tasks concerned with agriculture and food supply. Among these functions is providing a health-risk-free, inexpensive, nourishing and widely available food supply. The USDA also improves the quality of life for American citizens by giving support and help to the production of agricultural produce; caring for agricultural, forest, and range land; encouraging sound growth of rural communities; opening up profitable prospects for rural and farming residents; expanding the global demand for agricultural and forest products & services; and making a proactive effort to decrease hunger in America and throughout the world.
Lecithin - a natural antioxidant formed by processing fat in soya oil and is also present in spinach, nuts, eggs yolks, and red meat. Since many years, lecithin has been utilized commercially in food processing as an emulsifier and spreading agent. Lecithin is a source of choline when digested, and is a crucial component of the lipoproteins that transport fat and cholesterol molecules through the bloodstream. Lecithin (choline) plays an important role in breaking down high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) - also referred to as `good` cholesterol - by the tissues of the liver, when it is consumed by humans.
Angiopathy - any disease of the arteries, veins, or capillaries, which is a complication in long-term diabetes. There are 2 types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy and microangiopathy.
Antioxidant - free-radical scavengers such as beta carotene and vitamins C and E, which protect core cell components by counteracting the damage caused by free radicals, which are natural byproducts of normal chemical reactions occurring in cells. Free radicals form during oxidation, or when oxygen is processed for bodily functions. They move through the body`s cells, disrupting the composition of neighboring molecules, resulting in extensive damage of cell membranes. Such molecular damage presumably contributes to age-related deterioration and a number of health issues.
Chemical Diabetes - a term that has become obsolete; refer to Impaired Glucose Tolerance.
Lean Body Mass - the fat-free mass or part of the body including all its components with the exception of adipose tissue.
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) - a systematic method used in the food & beverage industry to pinpoint possible food safety risks. The basic strategy under HACCP to prevent food-borne diseases and to encourage high quality standards is to isolate the potential hazards and attempt to avoid them. Instead of putting the burden on the government to identify that a food safety problem exists, HACCP transfers accountability to the food sector to make certain that the food items it produces are free of potential health hazards. Food producers are obligated to take appropriate measures to prevent bacterial pollution from occurring in the first place. HACCP ensures food quality through these guidelines: Be aware of the possible health hazards for food & beverage consumers concerning a given product; Identify the key processing points (called `critical control points` or CCPs) which are the points when the health risks might occur; Establish security actions to prevent the health-hazard from taking place; Track procedures to ensure the protective practices are in effect; Organize an appropriate remedy if the control check highlights an issue that needs redressing; Set up in-depth record-keeping to document the tracking activity and remedies taken; Corroborate that the entire system is functioning smoothly.
Sibutramine - also known as Meridia, a medical drug used along with a reduced-calorie diet to help obese people achieve weight loss and prevent a recurrence of weight gain. This prescription drug is approved for those whose BMI (body mass index) is at a minimum of 30. Obese people who have other factors that increase health risk, for instance hypertension or diabetes, can also be treated with this drug if their body mass index is 27+. It might cause higher blood pressure and a faster pulse rate. While patients are taking sibutramine, their physician will check out their blood pressure and heart rate at regular visits. Individuals with chronic hypertension should avoid taking sibutramine/Meridia. Other adverse effects entail dry mouth, headaches, constipation, sleeplessness, nervous tension, extreme impatience or irritability, apprehension, blocked or runny nose, or trouble in sleeping.
Kick Board - a small board made of foam and used while swimming in order to build up the leg muscles and improve speed. It is clutched under the chest so that the arms are not involved in the swimming stroke.
Duodenum - the upper section of the small intestine, into which the stomach empties its contents.
Strength Training - workouts particularly designed to build muscle and augment strength. Strength training additionally helps in maintaining the volume of bone in the body and can assist in maintaining body weight.
Tagatose - technically called `D-tagatose`, a reduced-calorie sweetener processed from lactose, which occurs naturally in certain dairy products and other food products. This functional sweetener has been determined to be a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substance in the USA, which approves its use in foods and beverages.
Carbohydrate Foods - foods that contain sugars and starches.
Hyperosmolar Coma - a coma (state of deep unconsciousness) related to high glucose (sugar) levels in the bloodstream and necessitating emergency medical attention. An individual who has this condition is usually elderly and debilitated due to loss of both weight and body fluids. The patient may or may not have an earlier medical history that includes diabetes. Ketones (ketonic acids) are not found in the urine.
Triglyceride - the group of three fatty acids present in the bloodstream and other parts of the body.
Somogyi Effect - the ricochet effect of high blood sugar following low blood sugar, due to too much insulin.
Aspartame - a low-calorie synthetic sweetener much used in a multitude of foods and beverages and also as a packaged sweetener at eateries. It contains 4c/g but since, measure for measure, it is two hundred times table sugar, a miniscule quantity of it is required to sufficiently give foods a sweet flavor, and therefore adds hardly any calories to foods.
Hormone - a chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands (such as the thyroid, adrenal, or ovaries), which causes specific effects on other cells.