Duration - the length of time an individual is physically active
or exercises; duration is one of the methods used to build up muscle or system resistance in order to improve its function.
Free Radicals - highly reactive substances that are the result of oxidation (the process by which oxygen molecules with single missing electrons cause cellular damage by taking electrons from molecules in healthy cells), radiation that comes from natural sources and is always present in the environment, and additional the byproducts of normal metabolism. Free radicals trigger chain-reactive cellular damage. Antioxidants may be able to repair this damage. Cholesterol (Different Classes) - Blood cholesterol is categorized into three distinct classes of lipoproteins (protein-coated particles that carry fat and cholesterol through the bloodstream): VLDS (very low-density lipoprotein), which contains high amounts of harmful triglycerides (fat stored in the bloodstream), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which carries most of the cholesterol present in the bloodstream, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or `good` cholesterol.
Arteriosclerosis - leading to the gradual narrowing, hardening, and thickening of those vessels and to restricted blood flow.
Biotechnology - at its simplest, `applied biology`. The application of biological know-how and technology to make products. To expand the description: technologies that use living cells and/or biological molecules to implement a process or develop products. On the basis of this description, the standard techniques utilized to breed animals and plants, and for fermentation and enzyme purification, would be considered biotechnology. Certain individuals use `biotechnology` only to mean the newer technologies in genetic engineering. Within this perspective, biotechnology could be defined as bio-technical processes by which living cells (usually plants or animals) are genetically engineered to perform useful functions or generate beneficial products. Examples of such applications are recombinant DNA technology, where a replication of a strand of DNA containing one or a few genes is cross-transferred in living organisms or artificially combined within an organism.
Very Low-Calorie Diet - also abbreviated to `VLCD`. A person following such a diet only ingests a commercially prepared formula, which contains no more than 800 calories, in lieu of regular food. This very low-calorie diet may enable an individual to shed excess weight more quickly than is normally achievable by going on a low-cal diet program, but is to only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
Salmonella - a bacterium that causes food poisoning, present in a large number of animals and birds, specially fowl and swine. Within ecological surroundings, salmonella is found in soil, insects, factory and kitchen surfaces, animal fecal matter, and uncooked poultry and poultry products.
Diabetes - the name for a number of medical disorders having a common characteristic of high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Normally, when people eat, food is digested and much of it is broken down into glucose - a monosaccharide (simple sugar) which the body uses for energy. The blood carries the glucose to cells, where it is absorbed with the help of the hormone insulin. For those with diabetes, however, the body does not secrete enough insulin, or it cannot efficiently use the insulin it does make. In the absence of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood rather than moving into the tissues and cells. High blood sugar levels result.
Bias - a flaw in the study design of clinical trials that could lead to incorrect conclusions about what the study or trial demonstrated. An example is Selection Bias, which takes place when study subjects are selected so as to deceptively cause measures of statistical significance to appear much stronger or much weaker than they really are. Choosing experimental and control group subjects from different populations would result in a selection bias.
Complex Carbohydrates - starches such as those found in grains, breads, rice, pasta, vegetables, and beans.
Gestational - descriptive of the duration of pregnancy from conception till delivery. Underwater Weighing - also known as `hydrostatic weighing`, a research method evaluating the amount of fat in an individual`s body. An individual is placed in a tank, underwater, and weighed. By comparing weight underwater with weight on land, a researcher can have a very accurate measure of body fat.
Dialysis - man-made procedure for removal of bodily wastes from the blood in case the kidneys stop functioning.
Exchange Diet - a meal plan in which limited portions are divided up into separate groupings. The foods in each group have approximately the same number of calories and the person who is on the plan can then `mix and match` foods from each group for more variety and choice. Exertion Headaches - severe headache of sudden onset triggered by a variety of physical workouts, ranging from weightlifting to sprinting, and includes having sex Nutritionist - an expert who has special training in the area of nutrition and who can provide guidance regarding food and drink choices available to consumers. Also called a dietician.
Weight Lifting Equipment - equipment necessary to perform weight lifting exercises.
Angiopathy - a malfunctioning of the arteries, veins, or capillaries, which is a complication in long-term diabetes. There are two types of angiopathy: macroangiopathy (occurring in the large blood vessels) and microangiopathy (occurring in the small blood vessels).
RNA - also called ribonucleic acid. RNA is a chemical similar to DNA, which functions primarily to decode the messages encoded in genes to effect protein synthesis.