Glossary

In biology, absorption is the process of in which substances pass into a cell, tissue, or organ. It is done through diffusion or active transport. An example of biological absorption is the passage of digested food through the wall of the intestine into our blood vessels. An another example is the passage of substances which reach the colon into members of our microbiota

A complicated molecule derived from the metabolism of macronutrients and acts as the main fuel used by all human cells

The accumulation of a substance on the surface of another. Adsorption of water from the air is often visible, for example, on a bedroom window on a cold morning

An amino acid is a fundamental building block of a protein. Each of our proteins consists of one or more chains of amino acids . There are 20 different amino acids. Some can be synthesized in our body, but others (essential amino acids) cannot and must be obtained from our diet

blood that has changed from liquid to partially solid in our veins or arteries. Clotting is a normal reaction to damage that stops our body from bleeding too much from an injury. The clot may stay where it forms or move through the body in our blood system and lodge elsewhere. Clots that move may be especially dangerous

One of three important human nutritional macro-nutrients (the others being protein and fat). Carbohydrates are also sometimes called glycans and saccharides. Carbohydrates may be simple in structure (e.g., glucose) or more complex (e.g., starch). Carbohydrates are often also attached to proteins and fats to form very complex substances in our bodies (see glycan)

a type of essential fat (see below) that we mostly produce ourselves but also get from what we eat. It is not soluble in our blood so is transported by lipoproteins (HDL and LDL). When we get a cholesterol blood concentration from the doctor, we are actually getting an lipoprotein (HDL or LDL) measure since cholesterol does not exist on its own in the blood

A chronic disease is any condition not passed from person to person and that persists for long periods of time. Examples of chronic diseases are obesity, type-2 diabetes, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, dementia, cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is estimated that at least 80 percent of premature heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancer diagnoses could be prevented through healthy nutrition and lifestyle. It has been shown that some such as type-2 diabetes and poly-cystic ovarian syndrome are reversible with proper nutrition and lifestyle whilst the progression of others such as heart disease may be halted

A protein produced by a living organism, capable of producing a chemical reaction. Most processes in living organisms require an enzyme to allow reactions to proceed at a rate sufficient to support life. There are many enzymes, each specifically involved in a different chemical reaction. These enable most of the physiological changes observed in life

One of three important human nutritional macro-nutrients (the others being carbohydrate and protein). Fats are sometimes referred to as lipids. There are many different kinds of fats that are described according to their chemical structure, their origin in nature (e.g., pastured animal fats and wild-caught fish oils), their industrially harvested source (e.g., farmed fish, feed-lot cattle, and battery fowl), and their industrial manufacture (e.g., seed oils).

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats and as such are analogous to the role played by amino acids for proteins. Some fatty acids are not made by our bodies and must be obtained from our food

A general term for those carbohydrates which are not digested and absorbed by the human body and make their way into the lower reaches of the gut. Once there digestible fibres may be digested by our microbiota (microbiota-accessible carbohydrates) or pass through in our stool undigested. Fibre may be soluble or insoluble (in water)

The natural complex state within which dietary nutrients exist. The natural food matrix exhibits properties which are different from those exhibited by the nutritional components on their own

A simple carbohydrate that makes up 50% of table sugar (with glucose), is present in most fruits, and is industrially manufactured from corn syrup and present in soft drinks. Fructose is very sweet and may be addictive

The simplest and most common carbohydrate used as a starting material for human metabolism and energy production

Glycan is another word for carbohydrate or saccharide. Whereas carbohydrates and saccharides tend to be written of as reasonably well understood nutritional components, the literature on glycan (carbohydrate) biology is still so poorly understood that it is referred to as the biological equivalent of dark matter in the study of our universe. These natural carbohydrates are integral to the enormous biological complexities inherent in the development, growth, and functioning of diverse animal and plant holobionts

A complex carbohydrate (highly branched polymer of glucose) that serves as a storage for excess glucose. Glycogen is stored in the liver and in muscles. We typically store only 2,000 calories worth of energy (500 in the liver and 1,500 in our muscles) so it’s only for short-term use. Our fat reserves contain much more energy and are used for longer-term storage.

high density lipoprotein concentration. When we hear the term good cholesterol, it actually means a measure of this lipoprotein, not cholesterol at all

Heart disease is a common term which may refer to a number of ailments. The one that kills most people and which affects the author of this blog is otherwise know as atherosclerosis. Technically it is a disease of the arteries which supply blood to the heart and certain other organs, such as the brain. The disease involves the creation of plaques which progress over time from fatty streaks on artery walls and get bigger and harder until they eventually cause the artery wall to calcify and stiffen. In its middle stages of growth a plaque resembles a cyst full of fatty material. This stage is considered unstable, may burst and create a blood clot which may cause surrounding tissue (e.g., heart) to die

The term applies to plants, animals and humans to define a host and its associated microbiota. The symbiotic associations between host and microbiota are so integral and important that plants and animals are no longer described in biology as autonomous entities. Instead, every plant and animal is considered to be an organized biological unit, or holobiont

The most important hormone controlling the major events in metabolism—storing fat and carbohydrate as glycogen, encouraging protein synthesis. Levels of insulin in our blood are controlled by glucose in our blood

Reduced response of our cells to insulin which causes our body to produce even more insulin to keep blood glucose at a safe level. This can occur when we eat large amounts of carbohydrate over long periods of time. When our cells become insulin resistant, we need to have high levels of insulin in our blood at all times to make our metabolism work. Those high levels of insulin can lead to things like heart disease, obesity, type-2 diabetes, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, dementia, cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, amongst others

The ketogenic (keto) diet is one designed to create ketones for energy in the human body. This diet typically restricts absorbable carbohydrates to between 25 and 50 grams per day. The keto diet has been used treat epilepsy and mental health issues

Ketones are also called ketone bodies. They are created in the liver from the breakdown of fats and used for energy in the human body. The liver makes ketones when there is insufficient access to glucose from the food we eat or from the glycogen stores in our liver and muscles.

Ketosis is the metabolic state in which the liver creates ketones to be used as energy in the body

low density lipoprotein concentration. When we hear the term bad cholesterol, it actually means a measure of this lipoprotein, not cholesterol at all

Scientific word for fat and fat-like substances

lipoproteins are small spheres made of fats (lipids) and proteins. Lipoproteins are needed to transport cholesterol around our bodies because cholesterol itself is not soluble in the blood. The two most heard of lipoproteins are low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)

The most important chemical reaction centre in the human body and an important glycogen store for quick release to maintain blood glucose levels. The place where proteins and fats are converted for use in metabolism at times when carbohydrates from food are low

The major dietary nutrients involved in healthy human metabolism. There are three macronutrients, namely carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

The ability to switch between using carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy

A constellation of disorders caused by insulin resistance. These may include heart disease, obesity, type-2 diabetes, poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, dementia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The way our cells use and expend energy. Can be modified by many factors including sex, age, exercise, illness, body weight, and nutrition

Substances produced by various enzymes during metabolism, that occur naturally within cells

Used interchangeably with microorganism. A form of life too small to be seen by the naked eye. Applies to bacteria, fungi, protozoa, yeasts, archaea, and similar organisms. Microorganisms work synergistically with each other and their larger animal and plant hosts to produce a healthy holobiont. Microorganisms also work synergistically with each other in the environment (e.g., soil, ocean, lake, etc.) to produce a healthy environment. A small number of microorganisms (pathogens) may cause ill-health when the healthy microorganisms are disturbed by things like antibioticsItem description

Adjective - of, relating to, or caused by microbes or microorganisms

All living microorganisms that form a microbiome, and may include bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae and small protists. Viruses, phages, plasmids, prions, viroids, and free DNA are not living organisms, and are not part of the microbiota

Carbohydrates which are fermented by our microbiota. May come from dietary plants, dietary animal meat, breast milk, mucus secreted by our bodies, and from members of our microbiota themselves

The community of microorganisms (microbiota) and the structural elements, cell transformation products (metabolites), signaling molecules, and surrounding environmental conditions that have evolved within every environment (e.g., soil, lake, ocean), plant, and animal on earth

A substance, such as a vitamin or mineral (e.g., sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc) , that is essential in minute amounts for the proper growth and metabolism of a living organism

Used interchangeably with microbe. A form of life too small to be seen by the naked eye. Applies to bacteria, fungi, protozoa, yeasts, archaea, and similar organisms. Microorganisms work synergistically with each other and their larger animal and plant hosts to produce a healthy holobiont. Microorganisms also work synergistically with each other in the environment (e.g., soil, ocean, lake, etc.) to produce a healthy environment. A small number of microorganisms (pathogens) may cause ill-health when the healthy microorganisms are disturbed by things like antibiotics

Substance forming mucous on our gut walls and other surfaces potentially exposed to the outside world. Mucin is made of carbohydrate-rich substances which combine carbohydrates and proteins (glycoproteins)

May be the single most important molecule in our body when it comes to heart health. Nitric oxide acts as a powerful ant-clotting agent, it helps keep arteries of the heart open, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates new blood vessel wall cells

Certain nutrients in real food may work together to produce a health benefit that's greater than the sum of the individual parts. This may happen because they improve each other's bioavailability or because they have greater effects on health when present together

Otherwise known as oxalic acid, oxalate is found in many plants, such as leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, cocoa, nuts, and seeds. It binds to micronutrients like calcium and iron and may cause deficiencies in those over time. Deficiencies rarely occur in those of us consuming a micronutrient-dense diet

A microorganism which causes disease

Similar to proteins but smaller. Peptides are short strings of amino acids, typically comprising 2–50 amino acids. Amino acids are also the building blocks of proteins, but proteins contain more

Otherwise known as phytic acid, phytate is found in plant seeds, nuts, legumes and some roots and tubers. It impairs our body’s absorption of iron, zinc, and calcium. Over time this may result in deficiencies of those micronutrients, but this is rarely a problem for those consuming a nutrient dense diet

a thickened area that forms in blood system artery walls. Plaque is composed of oxidized LDL cholesterol, immune system cells, calcium, and smooth muscle tissue

Exist in many and varied forms and released by gut microbiota fermentation. Many polyphenols are anti-inflammatory and beneficial. They are found in foodstuffs such as vegetables, pasture-fed ruminant meats, fruits, nuts, coffee, chocolate, beer, wine. Examples include resveratrol, quercetin and berberine

fat that is derived from natural sources (e.g., some plants) and unnatural, industrial sources (e.g., margarine and seed oils. The latter have been shown to be harmful because they cause chronic inflammation in our bodies

Food component which encourages healthy microbiota. Found in breast milk, , plants and other complex (glycan) meat products

Chemical products (metabolites) of microorganisms that have beneficial effects for the holobiont (host or other microbiota). These include short chain fatty acids

Food or supplement containing live microorganisms considered beneficial for holobiont health. Examples include, kefir, yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. Best consumed in foods daily as opposed to supplements

Used interchangeably with carbohydrate and glycan. The unitstructure of carbohydrates (as amino acid is to peptide and protein). Can be simple sugars or polymers such as starch and cellulose

fat that is naturally produced by our bodies and is present in many things in our diets, including meats, dairy, coconut oil, olive oil, and mothers milk

Also called vegetable oil. Fat which is liquid at room temperature. Derived through an industrial chemistry process from certain plant seeds. These oils oxidise readily when used in cooking and produce inflammation in the human body. Examples include corn, rapeseed, soy

May be referred to as SCFA. Postbiotics produced by our gut microbiota as a byproduct of MAC fermentation. SCFA differ in the number of carbon atoms they contain. The most well studied are acetate (2C), propionate (3C), butyrate (4C), and pentanoate (5C). SCFAs are considered and butyrate, for example, helps maintain a healthy intestinal barrier which in turn reduces inflammation and helps immune system function