Ecologist - an individual who examines the interrelationships
between organisms and their environment. Adipocytes - fat cells. A convoluted term used by scientists instead of using plain English. Contains double the syllables the simpler term.
Flexibility - the range of movement in any one joint or group of joints. Flexibility can be heightened through stretching exercises and disciplines such as yoga. Antibiotics - drugs that are administered to kill or inhibit the bacteria that cause diseases.
Soluble Fiber - a class of fiber present in food intake that is found in psyllium, cereals, oatmeal, apples, citrus fruits, beans and other foods, which increases the viscosity in the gut and acts to reduce the levels of cholesterol, which lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Self-Fixer - the natural capacity of seed-pod plants (legumes) like soybeans to `fix` nitrogen, which means to use the natural nitrogen found in the soil and air. These natural nitrogen fixers refill the nitrogen supply in the earth that was used to grow them. Breeders are looking to produce other plants that are able to `fix` their own nitrogen, that would help to reduce agriculturalists` application of artificial fertilizers, while continuously providing plentiful yields.
No-till Farming - a method of farming where the cultivator limits or eliminates mechanical cultivation (such as, making only one pass over the field). The field residue remaining on the field`s surface helps limit the growth of weeds and reduce soil erosion, but this practice also presents a conducive environment for insects to live and reproduce, creating a need for stronger measures in pest control.
Polyols - a kind of sweetener used in reduced-calorie food products. They differ from intense sweeteners in the sense that they are deemed nutritive; that is to say, they do contribute calories to the diet. Polyols are incompletely assimilated and converted into energy, however, and so add fewer calories than sucrose. The polyols routinely utilized within the United States include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, lactitol, erythritol, isomalt, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Most of them are about 50% as sweet as sucrose; xylitol and maltitol have approximately the same sweetness as sugar. Polyols are present naturally in apples, berries, plums and certain other foods. They also are manufactured commercially from carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, and starch for use in sugar-free cookies, candies, and chewing-gum. Apart from contributing a sweet taste, polyols have a number of roles, such as adding texture and bulk, supplying a cooling effect or flavor, inhibiting the browning of foods when they are exposed to heat and retaining the moisture in food products.
Toxicologist - a scientist who analyzes the nature, impacts and identification of toxic substances and medical therapies for poisoning.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) - a flavor-enhancer used in foods. MSG is the compound of sodium with glutamic acid, which is among the most common amino acids occurring in nature.
Sugar Alcohols - ingredients used to sweeten foods without the addition of sucrose. Those often used in lieu of sugars include sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol. Many vegetables and fruits have sugar alcohol in natural form. They are also found in some sugar-free gum, jellies, jams, and hard candy. In addition to adding a sweet flavor, sugar alcohols also add texture, help food products remain moist, prevent heated food from browning and provide a cooling effect to the flavor of food. They contain 4 calories for each gram, but are assimilated at a gradual rate and only partially, and therefore need very little insulin (or none at all) for metabolism. Sugar alcohols do not cause dental caries because they are not broken down by oral bacteria that contribute to cavities.
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) - a compound that is the chief source of energy for most metabolic processes in living organisms, including muscle contraction, and many other functions.
Barbell - an elongated bar having weights attached to each end. Both hands are needed to raise it.
Polyphagia - great hunger; a symptom of diabetes. People with this great craving for food frequently lose weight.
Oxidation - a chemical reaction in which a compound (or element) loses electrons. When a single compound or element is oxidized, some other compound or element is reduced. That is, that other compound must take up the electrons that the earlier compound or element has lost. With reference to the body, free radicals cause oxidation, and contribute to the gradual deterioration that characterizes the aging process in all humans.
Fat Reduction Ingredients - in order to make it simpler for individuals to cut back on their dietary fat intake, emerging technologies in dietary science have promoted the availability of several kinds of low-fat processed and packaged foods and milk and meat products. For information on fat replacers, see `Fat Replacers`. Triceps - the group of muscles that run along the back of the upper arms that unbend the elbows and enable the arms to push forward.
Food Guide Pyramid - a illustrative representation that is a tool to communicate the recommended day-to-day food options contained in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which reflect the most current scientific knowledge in nutrition to prevent chronic illnesses. The contents of the Guidelines were compiled and conveyed to the public by the USDA (Department of Agriculture) and the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services). The food items at the bottom of the food pyramid are recommended as being low calorie - high volume, while at the top are foodstuffs that should not be consumed often, because these foods are high-calorie/low-volume. In April 2005, the USDA published `MyPyramid`. This is an updated version of the earlier food guide pyramid. The new emblem stresses physical activity, along with a balanced and nutritious diet. Consumers are able to go to the MyPyramid web site to get customized information on eating and exercising right.