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| A-Z NUTRITION GLOSSARY: |
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| Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) |
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| The acetyl ester of carnitine, ALC acts as an antioxidant, has protective effects in the brain, and stimulates hormone (including testosterone) release. |
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| Adaptogens |
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The word adaptogen, is used by herbalists to refer to a natural herb product that increases the body's resistance to stresses such as trauma, anxiety and bodily fatigue. In the past they have been called rejuvenating herbs, qi tonics, rasayanas, or restoratives. Knowledge about adaptogens dates back thousands of years to ancient India and China, but serious scientific study did not begin until the late 1940s.
In 1947, Dr. Nikolai Lazarev defined an adaptogen as an agent that allows the body to counter adverse physical, chemical, or biological stressors by raising nonspecific resistance toward such stress, thus allowing the organism to “adapt” to the stressful circumstances. In short, adaptogens are plant & herbal xxtracts that help the body to “adapt” and normalize, creating an overall sense of well-being and balance. |
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| Adenosine Triphosphate |
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| (ATP): ATP is a molecule which serves as the universal energy source for all plants and animals. In your body, ATP breaks down into adenosine diphosphate plus a separate phosphate group. This releases energy, which is used to power your body's cells. During periods of inactivity, the reverse reaction takes place, and the phosphate group is reattached to the molecule using energy obtained from food. In this way, the ATP molecule is continuously being recycled by your body. |
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| Alanine |
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| An amino acid. BCAAs are used as a source of energy for muscle cells. During prolonged exercise, BCAAs are released from skeletal muscles and their carbon backbones are used as fuel, while their nitrogen portion is used to form another amino acid, Alanine. Alanine is then converted to Glucose by the liver. This form of energy production is called the Alanine-Glucose cycle, and it plays a major role in maintaining the body's blood sugar balance. |
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| Amino Acids |
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Amino Acids are the essential vitamins and minerals your system needs to function properly. They make-up nearly 75% of your body chemistry. They play an integral role in the body’s ability to build and repair cellular structures. Since we do not store Amino Acids in our bodies, we must consume a sufficient amount of them through whole foods and natural supplements.
In chemistry, an amino acid is any molecule that contains both amine and carboxyl functional groups. These are molecules where the amino and carboxylate groups are attached to the same carbon, which is called the α–carbon. The various alpha amino acids differ in which side chain (R group) is attached to their alpha carbon. This can vary in size from just a hydrogen atom in glycine, through a methyl group in alanine, to a large heterocyclic group in tryptophan. |
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| Androstenedione |
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An androgen (male hormone). Androgens are produced in two sites in the male body - most originate in the testes, but some potent male hormones are produced by the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys. Androstenedione is a pivotal adrenal steroid that's actually one step closer to being converted to testosterone than DHEA. It raises your testosterone levels and can provide more strength.
Androstenedione really does raise testosterone above normal levels and could be hazardous. Side effects include acne, male baldness, and a decrease in 'good' cholesterol, which may lead to heart disease.
This supplement might be reclassified as a steroid by the FDA, and it is banned in the NFL, Olympics, and other major sports organizations. |
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| Anthocyanidins |
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| Anthocyanidins are powerful antioxidants that have been linked to improved blood vessel health in animals and humans. Anthocyanidins are found in blue/purple and red fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, blackberries, plums, cranberries, raspberries, red onions, red potatoes, red radishes, strawberries, etc. |
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| Antioxidant |
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| Antioxidants are chemical substances that help protect against cell damage from free radicals. Well known antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids. See Antioxidant Science for more information |
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| Apple Cider Vinegar |
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| Apple Cider Vinegar is a very safe and effective weight loss aid with no known side effects. Obtained from the fermentation of apple juice, it is extremely rich in minerals and vitamins. Known to help detoxify the liver which plays a vital role in weight loss. Many people claim apple cider vinegar as a superior, yet natural metabolism booster and appetite suppressant. Some nutritionists advise that apple cider vinegar is most effective when paired with B vitamins which are synergistically present in Weight Science. |
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| Ascorbic Acid |
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Ascorbic acid is an organic acid with antioxidant properties. Its appearance is white to light yellow crystals or powder. It is water soluble. The L-enantiomer of ascorbic acid is commonly known as vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbuticus (Scurvy) as a shortage of this molecule may lead to scurvy.
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| Ashwagandha |
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Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Ajagandha, Kanaje Hindi and Samm Al Ferakh, is a plant in Solanaceae or nightshade family. It grows as a stout shrub that reaches a height of 170cm. Like the tomato which belongs to the same family, ashwagandha bears yellow flowers and red fruit, though its fruit is berry-like in size and shape.
Ashwagandha grows prolifically in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Ashwagandha replenishes nervous system, restores muscle/body tissue, and is useful for Chemotherapy patients. All parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine. In Ayurveda, the fresh roots are sometimes boiled in milk, prior to drying, in order to leach out undesirable constituents. The berries are used as a substitute for rennet, to coagulate milk in cheese making. Ashwagandha in Sanskrit means "horse's smell", probably originating from the odor of its root which resembles that of sweaty horse.
The species name somnifera means "sleep-bearing" in Latin, indicating it was considered a sedative, but it has been also used for sexual vitality and as an adaptogen. Some herbalists refer to ashwagandha as Indian ginseng, since it is used in ayurvedic medicine in a way similar to that ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine. |
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| Aspartame |
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An artificial sweetener. Known by the trade name NutraSweet, " Canderel' it is an artificial sweetener. Certain people should avoid products that contain Aspartame. They are people who cannot metabolize the amino acid Phenylalanine, which is an ingredient in aspartame; and people who are suspectable to headaches. It is nearly 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame is produced from the amino acids L-asartic acid and L=phenylalannine. It has been approved for use in certain goods since 1981. Heat causes aspartame to lose its sweetness, therefore, you can't bake with it. Unlike some sweetners, it has no aftertaste.
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| Astragalas Root |
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Astragalus, also known as "Astragalus membranaceus", is a beautiful plant from the pea family. Astragalus is native to northern China and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, with it's first recorded use transcribed over 2000 years ago. This powerful tonic root has been traditionally used to invigorate vital energy, and used as an immuno-stimulant.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Astragalus should be implemented into a persons daily diet while the individual is healthy, and not only in time of sickness. This is said to build and strengthen the immune response, and carry the body through normal routines of healthy response. Astragulas helps increase metabolism and stamina while combating fatigue. |
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