The A-Z of Nutritional Words Dictionary

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Additive	a compound added to food, to aid shelf life, retain freshness, colour or texture. Excludes minerals, nutrients or natural spices.
Adrenaline	a hormone secreted by the adrenalin gland. Adrenalin is released into the bloodstream in situations of fear or stress. It raises blood-sugar levels by stimulating glucose production. increasing heart rate, blood flow to muscles, causes sweating, widening the smaller breathing tubes and dilatating the pupils of the eyes.
Allergy	a severe reaction to foods caused by the production of antibodies.
Amino Acids	the basic unit from which proteins are made.
Anaemia	a shortage of red blood cells. Commonly due to a shortage of Iron in the diet.
Antibiotics	medicines produced by living organisms they are used to treat bacterial infections. Penicillin is the most common and 1st antibiotic.
Antibodies	a protein used by the immune system to identify illness.
Antioxidant	Antioxidant- they are the best minerals and vitamins A, C and E (Ace)- they fight of free radicals in our body and are anti cancerous.
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Bile	stored in the gall bladder and produced by the liver- its secreted in to the intestine via the bile duct. Contains bile salts which emulsify/ break down fats. An alkaline solution, which neutralised stomach acid.
Bile salts	assist in the digestion of fats.
Biotin	Vitamin H, found in offal, vegetables, grains, nuts and egg yolk.
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Calcium	A mineral. The main compound in bones in teeth. Found in milk and cheese.
Calorie	a unit of energy.
Cancer	various diseases, characterised by uncontrollable growth in body tissue. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals have been linked to protecting against the disease.
Carbohydrate	3.75kcal per gram. There are sugary carbohydrates and starchy ones. Sugars ones include anything made with sugar, cakes, biscuits, soft drinks etc and we all know what sugar does to your teeth and waistline if eaten in excess. Starchy ones include flour produce, bread, pasta, cereals, rice, potatoes etc, although these are healthier Carbs excess will cause weight gain- but essential for energy, especially before sports.
Carotene	the orange pigments in some plant foods, commonly known in carrots. A precursor of Vitamin A.
Celiac disease	(celiac). Intolerant to the proteins in wheat. i.e. gluten. (Including barley and rye).
Cholesterol	is a waxy like substance essential to life- BUT there are 2 kinds LDL = low-density lipoprotein- this is said to be the bad /harmful one, it can be deposited in artery walls causing coronary problems. This type of cholesterol comes from saturated fats i.e.- fatty meats, dairy, eggs, lard, suet etc to lower bad cholesterol reduce fatty foods and cut down on dairy. HDL= high density lipoproteins- this is a protective type of cholesterol.
Copper	A mineral found in seafood, meat, nuts, pulses, chocolate and beer.
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Fats	9kcal per gram. We need a certain amount of fat in the diet. Saturated fat is the unhealthiest fat found in animal products, these can higher levels of cholesterol. Monosaturated fats help lower cholesterol- found in olive oil and rapeseed oil.
Fatty acids	is an organic acid, often consisting of a long chemical chain, made up of carbon either saturated or unsaturated. Fatty acids derived from natural fats and oils may be assumed to have at least 8 carbon atoms.
Fibre	is found in wholemeal flours, pulses, beans and grains. Essential for good health and keeps you regular. Good fibre= soluble (lentils, pulses etc) it is the best stuff to clean out your insides. It’s like giving your self a healthy flush- no need for colonics.
Folic acid	A vitamin. Gained from offal and leafy vegetables. Supplements of folic acid pre pregnancy reduce the risk of spina bifida in babies.
Free Radicals	nasty chemicals and toxins absorbed in to our diet from the environment, chemicals and bad food. They scavenge our insides and can cause disease.
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Gallstones	Small balls of cholesterol, bile and calcium salts, formed in the bile duct of the gallbladder.
Glucose	a monosaccharide or simple carbohydrate sugar, being one of the most important Carbohydrates.
Gluten	the protein in wheat and rye. When making bread gluten holds gas when it rises. If you're intolerant- try barley, oats or maize.
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Insulin	a hormone secreted by the cells of the pancreas. Insulin controls carbohydrate metabolism. Diabetes is a result of an inadequate supply.
Iodine	a mineral. Founding seafood and root vegetables.
Iron	a mineral. Found in meat, fish and vegetables.
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Kcal	short for kilocalorie. Known as a calorie.
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Lactose	the carbohydrate of milk. The sugar carbohydrate.
Lipids	a term generally used for fats and oils.
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Magnesium	a mineral. Present in tissue and bone. Found in green vegetables.
Malic acid	organic acid found in fruit. Sometimes used as an acid food additive.
Malnutrition	a medical problem caused by not enough or too much or one or more vitamins or minerals.
Microgram	one million of a gram.
Micronutrients	minerals and vitamins which are only needed in small amounts.
Minerals	are known as micronutrients and they are found in a rainbow of fresh foods- that’s why it is important to have a varied fresh diet.
Minerals	Calcium (milk), Phosphorous, Iron, Magnesium (cereals, pots and veg), Sodium, (salt and salty foods), Potassium, (veg, pots, meat, milk) Chloride, Zinc (meat, veg, pots), Copper (nuts), Selenium, Fluoride, Iodine (milk, cereal, fish) etc
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Niacin	B vitamin. found in protein rich foods , fish, meat, eggs and dairy.
Nutrients	a general term used for minerals, vitamins, fatty and amino acids.
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Obesity	a BMI above 30. Excessive body fat.
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Pantothenic acid	a B vitamin.
Potassium	an essential mineral, found in fruits, potatoes and vegetables.
Probiotic	live micro-organisms added to foods, advertised to restore microbiotic balance in the intestine.
Protein	4kcal per gram. Gained from meat, fish, pulses and dairy. Proteins make up a large amount of our body around 8%, our hair, skin, organs, blood, brain etc-
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Saturated	refers to saturated fats, fatty acids. The unhealthiest fat, gained from meat fats - lard, suet, butter. Bad for cholesterol.
Selenium	essential mineral. An antioxidant. Found in seafood, Brazil nuts, bread and lentils.
Sodium	essential mineral. Usually gained in a normal diet, usually exceeding RDA's. Found in table salt, olives, brined, salted, preserved foods. Excesses are renowned for bad for health.
Sucrose	cane or beat sugar.
Sulphur	an element in amino acids, present in proteins.
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Vitamins	is a name for several unrelated nutrients that your body needs to function, they act as stabilisers. They are organic substances needed in very small amounts, some of which we required daily and some are stored and used when needed. There are 2 classifications Water soluble - i.e. C, B and P - regular amounts needed daily and excesses flushed out. Fat soluble - i.e. A, D, E, F and K - are stored in our body’s long term, they are absorbed with fat in to the bloodstream and stored as fatty acids. All vitamins (micronutrients) are needed in different amounts and some help other vitamins, so if a vitamin is lacking a deficient symptom can occur. Vitamins are used in our bodies for abundance of jobs most of which we still don’t know a few of them are metabolic function, cofactors in enzymes and reactions, health, growth, immunity, repair and basically normal development etc.
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Zinc	an essential mineral. Found in seafoods, wholefood cereals and meat. Zinc gives you zest!!!

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