Diet Terms A-C / Glossary

The following are some definitions of diet terms that you might come across. They are more or less in alphabetical order They are not exhaustive but I have put them together to give you some basic understanding of their meanings.

Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise is exercise of moderate intensity for a long period of time. It refers to the use of oxygen when your body is generating energy. Anaerobic exercise on the other hand generates energy during high intensity, low duration tasks. Aerobic exercise does not increase your metabolism rate as much as anaerobic exercise. However, aerobic exercise allows for longer, more frequent activity and thus may result in overall increased energy consumption.

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA)

Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is an Omega 3 fatty acid and a member of the group of essential fatty acids, so called because they cannot be produced within the body and must be acquired through diet.

Amino Acids

Amino Acids - amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Just as the letters of the alphabet can be combined to form an almost endless variety of words, amino acids can be linked in varying sequences to form a vast variety of proteins. There are some amino acids that are known as essential amino acids because the human body cannot make them. They can only be obtained from specific foods.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants - Even though living organisms require oxygen, oxygen also causes a harmful chemical reaction that creates free radicals (Think of a half eaten apple that turns brown after a while. That is what occurs in our cells through oxidisation). Antioxidants stop these chemical reactions and prevents further reactions by being oxidised themselves. Vitamins A C and E are antioxidants.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-Carotene is an inactive form of Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is also the substance in carrots that colours them orange. It can be found in yellow, orange, and green leafy fruits and vegetables. As a rule of thumb, the greater the intensity of the orange colour of the fruit or vegetable, the more beta-carotene it contains. It is an anti-oxidant and is oil soluble.

B vitamins

The B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism.Supplements containing all eight are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex. List of B vitamins

* Vitamin B1 (thiamine) * Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) * Vitamin B3 (niacin) * Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) * Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine) * Vitamin B7 (biotin), also known as vitamin H * Vitamin B9 (folic acid), also, vitamin M * Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins)

The B vitamins often work together to deliver a number of health benefits to the body. B vitamins have been shown to:

* Support and increase the rate of metabolism * Maintain healthy skin and muscle tone * Enhance immune and nervous system function * Promote cell growth and division — including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia. * Reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of cancer, when consumed in food, but not when ingested in vitamin tablet form.

Together, they also help combat the symptoms and causes of stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

All B vitamins are water soluble, and are dispersed throughout the body. Most of the B vitamins must be replenished daily, since any excess is excreted in the urine.

Blood sugar

Blood sugar is glucose in the blood. If blood sugar levels drop too low, a potentially fatal condition called hypoglycemia develops. Symptoms may include lethargy, impaired mental functioning, irritability, and loss of consciousness.

If levels remain too high, appetite is suppressed over the short term. Long-term hyperglycemia causes many of the long-term health problems associated with diabetes, including eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Calorie

Calorie - One kilocalorie (Calorie) is the amount of energy in food that is available through digestion. Some types of food contain more food energy/calorie per gram than others:

fat contains 9 calories per gram alcohol, 7 calories proteins, 4 calories carbohydrates, 4 calories organic acids (citric acid, acetic acid etc.),2.1 calories sugar,sweeteners contain 2.4 calories per gram

Other substances found in food (water, non-digestible fiber, minerals, vitamins) do not contain any calories

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the major source of fuel for the body. They store and transport energy to the body. Carbohydrates require less water to digest than proteins or fats and are the most common source of energy. They are not essential nutrients however as the body can obtain all its energy from protein and fats. The brain cannot burn fat and needs glucose for energy, but the body can make this glucose from protein. One gram of carbohydrate contains 4 calories. Foods that are high in carbohydrates include breads, pastas, beans, potatoes, bran, rice and cereals.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is mostly found in animal fats: all food containing animal fats contains cholesterol. However food not containing animal fats also contains cholesterol in varying amounts. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, beef, poultry, and shrimp. Human breast milk also contains significant quantities of cholesterol. Cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream by lipoproteins. Large numbers of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDLs) are associated with disease in the arteries and are therefore known as 'bad cholesterol'. On the other hand, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particles transport cholesterol back to the liver for excretion. Having large numbers of large HDL particles is associated with better health outcomes, and hence it is commonly called "good cholesterol".

Return from Diet Terms A-C to Home Page