| glossary
F-J |
| |
| F |
| Fat |
Fat,
also known as lipid, is one of the three types of nutrients
(others are carbohydrate and protein) used as energy sources
by the body. The energy produced by fats is more than twice
as much as protein and carbohydrate per gram. |
| Fatty
acids |
Building
blocks of lipids |
| Fibre
|
It
is a complex carbohydrate, and is the parts of plants
that cannot be digested. It also known as bulk or roughage.
|
| Fertility
|
Capable
of producing offspring (children) |
| Fetal |
Relating
to the fetus
|
| Fetus
|
The
unborn young from the end of the eighth week after conception
to the moment of birth. |
| Fortified
|
To
strengthen or enrich by adding vitamins or minerals or other
nutrients. |
| Free
radical |
Free
radicals are highly reactive chemicals that attack molecules
by capturing electrons and thus modifying chemical structures.
Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute
to the development of
cardiovascular disease and cancers, and other diseases.
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| |
|
| G |
| Gastrointestinal
tract |
The
stomach and intestines in continuity. |
| Genes |
A specific
chemical pattern that is received from the parents and controls
the development of particular characteristics. |
|
Genital |
Pertaining
to the external and internal organs of reproduction. |
| Glucose
|
It is the main circulating sugar in
the blood and the major energy source of the body.
|
| |
|
| H |
| Hormone |
A
substance produced by one organ and transported by the bloodstream
to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth
or metabolism. |
| Hydrolysis
|
A
chemical reaction in which water reacts with a compound
to produce other simpler compounds. |
| Hydroxyapatite
|
A
calcium
phosphate salt. Hydroxyapatite is the main mineral
part of bone of bone and teeth, and is what gives them their
hardness. |
| Hypertension
|
Abnormally
high blood pressure. |
|
|
|
| I |
|
Immune
system |
A
complex system that is responsible for protecting us against
infections and foreign substances. The immune system works
to seek and neutralise foreign substances. |
| Immune
response |
A
response by the immune
system to seek and neutralise foreign substances.
|
| Inflammation
|
A protective response in which the body
reacts to infection, irritation or other injury, which serves
to destroy, dilute, or block off both the cause of an injury
and the injured tissue. The key feature being redness, warmth,
swelling and pain. |
|
Insoluble |
Cannot
be dissolved. |
|
Insulin |
A
hormone secreted
by the pancreas.
It regulates carbohydrate
metabolism
by controlling blood glucose
levels. |
| Intestine
|
The
tubelike organ that receives the products of digestion
from the stomach. |
| Intrinsic
Factor |
A
substance that is secreted by the mucous membrane of the
stomach and is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12
in the intestine. |
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