Medicine & Health

An antioxidant is a substance that helps protect your body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells and contribute to aging and diseases.

A vitamin essential for nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells, B12 is primarily found in animal products. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and preventing certain types of anemia.

The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions while at rest. This includes processes like breathing, circulation, and cell production. Understanding BMR helps in managing weight and designing effective diet plans.

Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood. It is an essential source of energy for the body and is regulated by hormones, primarily insulin.

A mineral essential for human health, calcium plays a crucial role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also helps in muscle function, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.

A caloric deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight. This imbalance prompts the body to use stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss over time.

A caloric surplus occurs when you consume more calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight. This extra energy can lead to weight gain if not balanced by physical activity.

A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. It indicates how much energy food provides to the body when consumed.

A carbohydrate is a type of nutrient found in many foods that provides energy to the body. They are made up of sugar molecules and are essential for various bodily functions.

A waxy substance found in your blood, cholesterol is essential for building cells and producing hormones. However, too much cholesterol can lead to health problems, especially heart disease.

A substance found naturally in muscle cells, creatine helps produce energy during high-intensity exercise. It's commonly used as a supplement to enhance athletic performance and muscle growth.

The DASH Diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a meal plan designed to help lower blood pressure. It emphasizes eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing salt intake.

Daily Value (DV) is a guide that shows how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. It helps people understand the nutritional content of foods in relation to their daily nutrient needs.

These are amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, meaning they must be obtained through diet. They play a crucial role in building proteins and supporting various bodily functions.

Fat is a type of nutrient that provides energy and supports cell growth. It is essential for absorbing certain vitamins and plays a key role in hormone production.

A type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest, fiber helps regulate the body's use of sugars and keeps hunger in check. It is essential for maintaining digestive health and can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

A food label is a printed panel on food packaging that provides information about the product's nutritional content and ingredients. It helps consumers make informed choices about what they eat.

The Glycemic Index is a scale that ranks foods based on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels after being eaten. Foods are assigned a score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a faster increase in blood sugar.

Glycemic Load is a measure that estimates how much a food will raise blood sugar levels after eating. It takes into account both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates in a serving of food.

The gut microbiome refers to the collection of trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive tract. These microbes play a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and overall health.

The insulin response refers to how the body reacts to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When you eat, especially carbohydrates, your body releases insulin to help cells absorb glucose for energy or storage.

A popular eating pattern, intermittent fasting involves alternating periods of eating and fasting. It is not about what you eat, but when you eat, allowing your body to rest from constant digestion.

Iron is a vital mineral that our bodies need to function properly. It plays a key role in producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.

A ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating plan that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, which can lead to weight loss and other health benefits.

LDL and HDL are types of cholesterol found in the blood. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol because it can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, while HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is known as 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

A branched-chain amino acid, leucine is essential for protein synthesis and muscle repair. It plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes and is important for overall health.

A low-carb diet is a dietary plan that restricts carbohydrate intake, focusing instead on protein and fats. This approach aims to promote weight loss and improve health by altering how the body processes food for energy.

A macronutrient is a type of nutrient that provides energy and is essential for growth and maintenance of the body. The three main macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, each playing a unique role in health and nutrition.

A mineral essential for many bodily functions, Magnesium plays a key role in muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. It is found in various foods and is important for overall health.

A Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating primarily plant-based foods, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean protein sources. It is inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

A micronutrient is a type of nutrient that the body needs in small amounts to function properly. These include vitamins and minerals that support various bodily functions, such as immune response and bone health.

A mineral is a naturally occurring substance that is essential for various bodily functions. They play a crucial role in maintaining health by supporting processes like bone formation, nerve function, and muscle contraction.

These are essential fatty acids that play crucial roles in the body. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats are important for heart health, brain function, and overall well-being.

A phytonutrient is a natural compound found in plants that provides health benefits. These nutrients can help protect against diseases and promote overall well-being.

A plant-based diet focuses primarily on foods derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. It may also include small amounts of animal products but emphasizes whole, minimally processed plant foods.

These are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They help improve digestion and overall health by nourishing good microbes in the intestines.

These are live bacteria that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. They help balance the gut microbiome and can improve overall health.

A protein is a large molecule made up of smaller units called amino acids, which are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. It plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including the production of enzymes and hormones.

Saturated fat is a type of fat found mainly in animal products and some plant oils. It is solid at room temperature and can impact health when consumed in excess.

A supplement is a product taken to enhance one's diet, providing additional nutrients or health benefits. It can come in various forms, such as pills, powders, or liquids, and is used to support overall health or specific dietary needs.

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) is the total number of calories your body uses in a day. This includes calories burned through basic bodily functions, physical activity, and digestion.

Trans fat is a type of unhealthy fat that can be found in some processed foods. It is created through a process called hydrogenation, which makes liquid oils solid and can increase shelf life.

Unsaturated fat is a type of fat that is considered healthier than saturated fat. It is liquid at room temperature and can help improve cholesterol levels in the body.