Glossary

adrenaline

Hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, exercise and emotions such as excitement and fear.

adrenaline

Hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, exercise and emotions such as excitement and fear.

allergen

Substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can be de-sensitised using a variety of methods.

allergen

Substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can be de-sensitised using a variety of methods.

allergy

Abnormal response by the body to a food or foreign substance. Can usually be de-sensitised using a variety of non-invasive methods.

allergy

Abnormal response by the body to a food or foreign substance. Can usually be de-sensitised using a variety of non-invasive methods.

amino acid

Organic building block used to make proteins in the body.

amino acid

Organic building block used to make proteins in the body.

antibiotic

a substance that destroys or prevents the growth of bacteria. Most antibiotics are fairly indiscriminate and reduce the levels of helpful as well as harmful bacteria.

antibiotic

a substance that destroys or prevents the growth of bacteria. Most antibiotics are fairly indiscriminate and reduce the levels of helpful as well as harmful bacteria.

antigen

Substance the body considers foreign and possibly dangerous that triggers an immune response and production of an antibody.

antigen

Substance the body considers foreign and possibly dangerous that triggers an immune response and production of an antibody.

antihistamine

Substance that prevents or treats a histamine reaction.

antihistamine

Substance that prevents or treats a histamine reaction.

antioxidant

Substance that neutralises free radicals.

antioxidant

Substance that neutralises free radicals.

ascorbic acid

The organic acid more commonly known as Vitamin C.

ascorbic acid

The organic acid more commonly known as Vitamin C.

cardiovascular

Relating to the heart and blood vessels.

cardiovascular

Relating to the heart and blood vessels.

cholesterol

Fat-like material present in blood and tissues, high levels of which can age arteries.

cholesterol

Fat-like material present in blood and tissues, high levels of which can age arteries.

enzyme

A class of many specific protein catalysts that initiate or speed chemical reactions in the body without being used-up in the process.

enzyme

A class of many specific protein catalysts that initiate or speed chemical reactions in the body without being used-up in the process.

essential fatty acids

A group of unsaturated fats essential for growth.

essential fatty acids

A group of unsaturated fats essential for growth.

fatty acids

The main components of all fats are the fatty acids which might be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Fats containing a high proportion of saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature. These are commonly known as saturated fats and are usually derived from animal sources e.g. lard, suet and butter. Most plant fats are high in either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats except palm and coconut fat which is highly saturated. Saturated and monounsaturated fats are not necessary in the diet as they can be made in the human body. Two polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that cannot be made in the body are linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. They must be provided by diet and are known as essential fatty acids and are important for maintaining the membranes of all cells; for making prostaglandins which regulate many body processes such as inflammation and blood clotting. Another requirement for fat in the diet is to enable the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K to be absorbed from food; and for regulating body cholesterol metabolism.(Source: The Vegan Society)

fatty acids

The main components of all fats are the fatty acids which might be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Fats containing a high proportion of saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature. These are commonly known as saturated fats and are usually derived from animal sources e.g. lard, suet and butter. Most plant fats are high in either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats except palm and coconut fat which is highly saturated. Saturated and monounsaturated fats are not necessary in the diet as they can be made in the human body.Two polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that cannot be made in the body are linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. They must be provided by diet and are known as essential fatty acids and are important for maintaining the membranes of all cells; for making prostaglandins which regulate many body processes such as inflammation and blood clotting. Another requirement for fat in the diet is to enable the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K to be absorbed from food; and for regulating body cholesterol metabolism.(Source: The Vegan Society)

free radical

Natural by-product of metabolism that can damage DNA and cause a range of problems from high cholesterol levels to a depleted immune system.

free radical

Natural by-product of metabolism that can damage DNA and cause a range of problems from high cholesterol levels to a depleted immune system.

homeopathy

A medical system based on the belief that 'like cures like' - that is, that illness can be cured by taking a minute dose of a substance that, if taken by a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those being treated. Homeopathy employs a variety of plant, animal, and mineral substances in very small doses to stimulate the body's natural healing powers and to bring the body back into balance.

homeopathy

A medical system based on the belief that 'like cures like' - that is, that illness can be cured by taking a minute dose of a substance that, if taken by a healthy person, would produce symptoms like those being treated. Homeopathy employs a variety of plant, animal, and mineral substances in very small doses to stimulate the body's natural healing powers and to bring the body back into balance.

malabsorption

Nutritionally, a defect in the absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream.

malabsorption

Nutritionally, a defect in the absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream.

menopause

The cessation of menstruation, caused by a sharp decrease in the production of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Menopause sually occurs after the age of forty five or following the removal of the female reproductive organs.

menopause

The cessation of menstruation, caused by a sharp decrease in the production of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Menopause sually occurs after the age of forty five or following the removal of the female reproductive organs.

metabolism

Chemical processes that take place in the body, and the means by which food is converted into energy for use in the body.

metabolism

Chemical processes that take place in the body, and the means by which food is converted into energy for use in the body.

neurotransmitter

A chemical that transmits nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. Major neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

neurotransmitter

A chemical that transmits nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. Major neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

percolation

A system of remedy making in which the active principles from plant material are extracted by allowing a solvent solution to percolate (trickle through) a column of herbal material over a prescribed time period.

percolation

A system of remedy making in which the active principles from plant material are extracted by allowing a solvent solution to percolate (trickle through) a column of herbal material over a prescribed time period.

polyunsaturated fat

Fat that contains no cholesterol.

polyunsaturated fat

Fat that contains no cholesterol.

probiotics

Disease-destroying bacteria in the digestive tract that improve digestion by helping in the manufacture of vitamins and enzymes.

probiotics

Disease-destroying bacteria in the digestive tract that improve digestion by helping in the manufacture of vitamins and enzymes.

saturated fat

Highly concentrated fat derived from animal products that contains fatty acids and cholesterol.

saturated fat

Highly concentrated fat derived from animal products that contains fatty acids and cholesterol.

serotonin

A neurotransmitter found principally in the brain that is considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.

serotonin

A neurotransmitter found principally in the brain that is considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.

toxicity

The state of being poisonous. Toxic load build-up in the body impairs bodily functions and can damage cells.

toxicity

The state of being poisonous. Toxic load build-up in the body impairs bodily functions and can damage cells.

toxin

A poison that impairs the health and functioning of the body.

toxin

A poison that impairs the health and functioning of the body.

unsaturated fat

Fat that contains no cholesterol.

unsaturated fat

Fat that contains no cholesterol.

warm-percolation

A percolation process where the solvents are used at a temperature between 40 and 60 degrees centigrade.

warm-percolation

A percolation process where the solvents are used at a temperature between 40 and 60 degrees centigrade.