Glossary
aerobic Involving or improving oxygen consumption by the body, as in aerobic exercise.
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) An eye disease that affects the macula, a part of the retina that enables you to see fine detail.
allergy An inappropriate or exaggerated reaction of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease A progressive brain disease that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily activities.
amaranth A grain with a high level of complete protein.
anaphylaxis A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
antioxidant Any substance that reduces damage due to oxygen (oxidative damage) such as that caused by free radicals.
arachidonic acid (AA) An omega-6 fatty acid.
arteriosclerosis A chronic disease in which thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls result in impaired blood circulation.
artery A blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood to tissues in your body.
arthritis A class of diseases that generally involve inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 types.
atherosclerosis A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by plaque on the innermost layer of the walls of arteries.
autoimmune disease One of a group of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which the immune system is overactive and has lost the ability to distinguish between self and nonself, or foreign invaders.
biofeedback The use of devices that measure such functions as heart rate, body temperature, and muscle tension.
bran The outer covering of grain.
bromelian An enzyme from the stem of the pineapple sometimes used to treat pain.
brown rice Rice from which only the outer hull has been removed.
buckwheat The edible fruit of an annual Asian plant used either whole or ground into flour.
bulgur A quick-cooking form of whole wheat that’s been cleaned, parboiled, dried, ground into particles, and sifted into distinct sizes.
bupleurum A medicinal root found in East Asia.
C-reactive protein (CRP) A protein in the blood. Its level rises dramatically during inflammatory processes occurring in the body.
cancer The general name for hundreds of diseases in which some of the body’s cells become abnormal and divide without control.
canola oil A bland, monounsaturated oil made from rapeseeds.
carotenoid The pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their bright colors.
cartilage A firm, rubbery material that covers and protects the ends of bones in normal joints.
cat’s claw An herb that grows in South America.
cayenne A plant bearing long and finely tapering chile peppers, usually red and usually very hot.
celiac disease An immune disease that occurs in response to a protein (gluten) found in all wheat, rye, barley, and triticale products.
complete protein A protein that contains all the amino acids your body needs for survival.
corticosteroid A drug that closely resembles a hormone called cortisol your body produces naturally. Corticosteroids are often referred to by the shortener term steroids.
cytotoxic Of or relating to substances that are poisonous to cells.
degeneration The deterioration of specific tissues, cells, or organs with impairment or loss of function.
devil’s claw Any of several herbs of the southwestern United States and Mexico that have edible pods.
diabetes A disease in which damaging amounts of sugar build up in the blood.
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) A prescription drug and industrial solvent formed as a by-product of wood-pulp processing.
echinacea The roots, seeds, or other parts of plants of the genus Echinacea, used in herbal medicine.
empty calorie A calorie that provides no nutritional value. Empty calories typically come from sugary or fatty foods.
endocrine organ A part of the body that secretes chemicals that control body functions.
endosperm A part of a seed that supplies its food.
essential fatty acid A fatty acid that cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from the diet.
extra-virgin olive oil Oil that results from the first pressing of olives.
fat substitute A replacement for fat developed to help people lower their fat intake.
feverfew A plant whose leaves are a popular remedy for headaches and migraines.
fiber A carbohydrate that cannot be digested.
flax A widely cultivated plant with seeds that yield linseed oil and slender stems from which a textile fiber is obtained.
flaxseed oil Oil obtained from the seeds of the flax plant.
free radical A highly reactive chemical that changes chemical structures in your body.
germ The embryo of the seed. It can sprout into a new plant.
ginger A tropical plant. The stem of this plant is often used as a spice and to relieve nausea. Also called gingerroot.
ginseng An aromatic root used in traditional Chinese medicine.
glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate Substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity.
gluten A protein found in wheat or related grains and many foods. Gluten can be found in a large variety of foods including soups, salad dressings, processed foods, and natural flavorings. Unidentified starch, binders, and fillers in medications or vitamins can be unsuspected sources of gluten.
gout A buildup of too much uric acid in the body. The uric acid forms crystals in the joints and causes inflammation.
guggul A resin from a relative of the myrrh tree, sometimes used to fight pain resulting from inflammation.
heart disease Any medical condition of the heart or the blood vessels supplying it that impairs cardiac functioning.
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) The “good” cholesterol. High levels are associated with less coronary disease.
high-sensitivity CRP A test that measures the amount of a certain protein in the blood (C-reactive protein, or CRP) that can indicate acute inflammation.
hormone A chemical messenger in the body.
immune system The integrated body system of organs, tissues, cells, and cell products that recognizes harmful organisms or substances and attacks them.
incomplete protein A protein lacking in one or more of the amino acids.
inflammaging Describes the connection between inflammation and age-related disease.
inflammation The body’s reaction to injury or to other irritations and stresses such as infections, allergies, chemical irritations, and sometimes loss of function. Common reactions are pain, swelling, redness, and heat. Any area of the body may become inflamed.
inflammatory bowel disease The general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Usually, this refers to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
insulin A hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy.
itis A Greek suffix that means “inflammation.” Colitis, for example, is inflammation of the colon.
kosher Conforming to Jewish dietary laws; selling or serving food prepared in accordance with dietary laws.
lactose intolerance The body’s inability to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. It’s caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase.
licorice The dried black root of a perennial plant or an extract made from it. It’s sought out for possible medicinal qualities.
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) The cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins; the “bad” cholesterol.
lycopene A carotenoid that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
macronutrient A nutrient required in large amounts for normal growth and development. Food has three types of macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein, and fat.
meadowsweet A perennial herb that grows in damp meadows. It’s sometimes used as a digestive remedy.
meditation A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation.
metabolic syndrome A disorder of metabolism caused by obesity.
metabolism The series of processes by which food is converted into the energy and products needed to sustain life.
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) A sulfur compound found in the human body.
millet A fast-growing cereal plant that’s naturally gluten free.
monounsaturated fat A fatty acid not “saturated” with hydrogen. These are typically liquid at room temperature but solidify when refrigerated.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) A medication that helps controls many inflammatory diseases and that’s used as a common over-the-counter pain reliever. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve), naproxen, etc.
nut oil The oil extracted from nuts. It’s low in saturated fats.
obesity The condition of having an abnormally high proportion of body fat.
olive oil A blend of virgin oil and refined virgin oil.
olive-pomace oil A blend of refined olive-pomace oil and virgin oil.
omega-3 fatty acid A fatty acid that makes hormones that control inflammation.
omega-6 fatty acid A fatty acid that makes hormones that lead to inflammation.
osteoarthritis A type of arthritis caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.
overweight An excess of body weight. In the United States, this is determined by comparison to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
partially hydrogenated fat Saturated-like fats made from plant oils and fats.
phytochemical A natural compound found in plant foods.
phytoestrogen A biological agent similar to the hormone estrogen.
plaque A deposit of fatty material on the inner lining of artery walls.
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) A chemical used in industrial processes.
polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) A common cause of aching and stiffness in older adults.
polyunsaturated fat A fat that’s liquid at room temperature and remains in liquid form even when refrigerated or frozen. Polyunsaturated fats are divided into two families: omega-3s and omega-6s.
processed food A food that has had its shelf life extended thanks to the use of additives.
quinoa A seed; a complete protein.
refined food A highly processed food.
rheumatoid arthritis A disease characterized by inflammation of the membranes lining the joints.
rice An easily digested, widely used grain.
SAM-e An amino acid derivative sometimes used to treat inflammatory conditions.
saturated fat A fat, most often of animal origin, that’s solid at room temperature.
sorghum A gluten-free grain.
soy protein isolate A dry powder food ingredient made from defatted soy meal.
spelt A wheat species higher in protein than common wheat.
statin A drug that prevents the body from making too much cholesterol and increases the liver’s ability to remove it from blood.
stroke A condition in which brain cells are deprived of blood and stop functioning. Strokes can be caused by a broken blood vessel (hemorrhagic) or a clot (ischemic).
tai chi A Chinese form of physical exercises designed especially for self-defense and meditation.
tempeh A solid food made by the controlled fermentation of cooked soybeans.
textured vegetable protein (TVP) A protein made from soybeans.
tofu A cheeselike food made by curdling fresh hot soy milk with a coagulant. Also known as soybean curd.
trans fatty acid A fat resulting from turning liquid vegetable oil into a solid.
trigger food A food that causes an allergic reaction.
triglyceride The major form of fat. A triglyceride consists of three molecules of fatty acid combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol. Triglycerides serve as the backbone of many types of lipids (fats). They come from the food you eat and are also produced in your body.
triticale A hybrid grain resulting from the mix of durum wheat and rye.
unsaturated fat A fat of plant origin that’s liquid at room temperature.
vegan A person who eats and uses only plant products.
vegetarian Someone who eats primarily fruits and vegetables and vegetable products.
virgin olive oil Fine extra-virgin and virgin olive oils are processed through cold or mechanical pressing. This natural, chemical-free process involves only pressure, which produces a low level of acidity in the oil.
visualization The use of imagery to focus the mind.
walnut oil Oil extracted from walnuts and rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
wheat A grain that contains large amounts of gluten, which causes baked goods to rise.
whole grain The edible intact seed of plants.
wild rice The seed of an aquatic grass.
willow bark Bark of the willow tree, used throughout the centuries in China and Europe to treat fever, pain, headache, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
yoga A Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.