5-HTP: see encyclopedia entry

Acetylcholine: A choline-based compound used in the transmission of nerve impulses.

Acidophilus: see encyclopedia entry

Adaptogen: A substance that helps normalize body functions in times of stress.

Adrenaline: The hormone that produces the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Also called epinephrine.

Alfalfa: see encyclopedia entry

Aloe: see encyclopedia entry

Alpha linolenic acid (LNA): An omega-3 fatty acid found in soybeans, nuts, canola oil, and flaxseed oil.

Alpha lipoic acid: A vitamin-like substance with powerful antioxidant capabilities. see encyclopedia entry

Alpha tocopherol: The most active form of vitamin E. Natural vitamin E is designated with a "D" (D-alpha tocopherol), while "DL" (DL-alpha tocopherol) represents the synthetic form.

Alzheimer's: see encyclopedia entry

American Ginseng: see encyclopedia entry

Amino acids: A group of nitrogen-containing compounds that serve as the basic building blocks of proteins. The amino acids that must be obtained from the diet are known as the essential amino acids.

Anabolic: Describing a compound that allows the conversion of nutritive substance into living matter.

Analgesic: An agent that alleviates pain without causing loss of consciousness.

Anemia: An insufficiency in the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream or of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Usually caused by excessive blood loss or a decrease in blood production.

Anesthetic: A substance used to abolish or diminish the sensation of pain.

Angina: Pain or heavy pressure in the chest caused by insufficient supply of oxygen to heart tissue.

Anthocyanidins: A class of antioxidant plant pigments ranging in colors from red to blue.

Antibacterial: A substance that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or reproduction.

Antibiotic: A chemical substance that has the capacity, in dilute solutions, to kills germs or inhibit their growth.

Antibody: Proteins produced by the body to defend against foreign bodies or organisms.

Anticoagulant: A substance that delays or stops blood clotting.

Antimutagenic: Protective against genetic mutations; anticancer.

Antioxidant: A substance that inhibits oxidative or free-radical damage.

Antiseptic: A substance that prevents or inhibits the growth of germs.

Antiviral: A substance that inhibits the action of a virus.

Aqueous humor (aqueous fluid): The clear, watery fluid that flows between the cornea and the lens of the eye, providing them with nutrients.

Arthritis: see encyclopedia entry

Ascorbate: A compound or derivative of ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic: Describing a substance that prevents scurvy (from New Latin a + scorbutic„scurvy).

Ascorbic acid: The chemical name for vitamin C.

Astragalus: see encyclopedia entry

Astringent: A substance that causes tissues to contract.

Atherosclerosis: The build up of fatty deposits (plaque) in artery walls, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate): The phosphate compound that serves as the chief energy-storage material for all cells.

Autoimmune: Describing a condition in which antibodies attack the body's own tissues.

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Barberry: see encyclopedia entry

Barley Grass: see encyclopedia entry

Bearberry: see encyclopedia entry

Bee Pollen: see encyclopedia entry

Bee Propolis: see encyclopedia entry

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH): A common condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, compressing the urethra and often leading to urinary difficulties. see encyclopedia entry

Beriberi: A disease caused by thiamin deficiency.

Beta-carotene: An antioxidant plant compound that can be converted by the body into vitamin A. see encyclodpedia entry

Beta cells: Cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin production.

Bilberry: see encyclopedia entry

Bioflavonoids: See flavonoids.

Biotin: A B vitamin produced in the small intestine by beneficial bacteria. see encyclopedia entry

Black Cohosh: see encyclopedia entry

Black Currant Seed Oil: see encyclopedia entry

Boron: An essential trace mineral required for bone formation. see encyclopedia entry

Boswellia: see encyclopedia entry

Bran: The thin husk of grains such as rice, wheat, and oats. A rich source of soluble and insoluble fiber.

Brewer's Yeast: see encyclopedia entry

Bromelain: see encyclopedia entry

Bronchitis: Inflammation of the breathing tubes.

Burdock: see encyclopedia entry

Butcher's Broom: see encyclopedia entry

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Calcium: see encyclopedia entry

Candidiasis: A syndrome caused by chronic overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans.

Capsaicin: The active "hot" compound found in cayenne and other peppers.

Carbonate: A salt of carbonic acid.

Carbonic acid: An unstable liquid made by dissolving carbon dioxide in water, used to form carbonates.

Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer.

Cardiomegaly: The medical term for enlargement of the heart. Also known as cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiomyopathy: Any of a group of diseases of the heart muscle that result in impaired heart function and heart failure.

Cardiotonic: A substance that strengthens the heart muscle.

Cardiovascular disease: see encyclopedia entry

Carditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, usually the result of infection or inflammatory response, as in rheumatic fever.

Carotenoid: A family of plant pigments (including alpha carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, etc.), many of which exhibit antioxidant properties.

Cartilage: The smooth connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber between bone surfaces in joints.

Cascara Sagrada: see encyclopedia entry

Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction but is not affected by that reaction.

Cataract: see encyclopedia entry

Catechins: Antioxidant flavonoids found in green tea.

Cathartic: A substance that stimulates bowel movements.

Cat's Claw: see encyclopedia entry

Cayenne: see encyclopedia entry

Cerebral insufficiency: Inadequate blood flow to the brain, causing memory loss and senility.

Cetyl Myristoleate: see encyclopedia entry

Chamomile: see encyclopedia entry

Chaparral: see encyclopedia entry

Charcoal: see encyclopedia entry

Chasteberry: see encyclopedia entry

Chelation: The bonding of minerals to amino acids or other carrier compounds to aid absorption by the body.

Chitosan: see encyclopedia entry

Chlorella: see encyclopedia entry

Chondroitin: see encyclopedia entry

Chromium: see encyclopedia entry

Citrate: Any salt of citric acid.

Citric acid: A tribasic acid found in citrus fruits that acts as an intermediary in the tricarboxylic (KrebsÍ) cycle.

Citrus Bioflavonoids: see encyclopedia entry

Cod Liver Oil: see encyclopedia entry

Coenzyme: A nonprotein substance needed to complete an enzyme, usually a vitamin or mineral.

Coleus: see encyclopedia entry

Collagen: The protein that serves as the main component of connective tissue.

Congestive heart failure: A condition in which the heart is incapable of meeting the oxygen demands of the body.

Copper: see encyclopedia entry

CoQ10: see encyclopedia entry

Coronary heart disease (CHD): A condition in which the heart muscle doesn't receive sufficient blood.

Cranberry: see encyclopedia entry

Creatine: see encyclopedia entry

Cretinism: A congenital condition caused by lack of thyroid secretion, marked by retarded mental and physical development.

Cyanocobalamin: The form of vitamin B-12 used in supplements.

Cystoscopy: A procedure in which a doctor looks into the urethra and bladder through a thin, lighted tube, used for detection of urinary tract disorders.

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