| Glossary
Antioxidant: a substance (vitamin, mineral, phytochemical)
found in foods that can protect the cells from harmful free radicals.
Bile: a bitter, greenish-yellow fluid that is
made by the liver, stored by the gallbladder and helps the body
to digest fat.
Carbohydrate: a starchy food that gives the body
energy. Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and cereals are examples of
carbohydrates.
Chronic: continuing.
Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver that cannot
be healed. Many chronic liver diseases end in cirrhosis.
Digestive tract: the digestive system, which
includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
and rectum.
Dissolve: to become liquid; melt.
Extract: see tincture.
Fat soluble: able to dissolve in fat.
Fecal matter/feces: solid waste from the digestive
tract; stool.
Free radical: molecule that has an uneven number
of electrons which causes it to become unbalanced. The unbalanced
molecule then tries to steal electrons from another molecule to
make itself more stable. This starts a chain reaction that can harm
the cells of the body.
Glucose: sugar that is in the blood and gives
the body energy; all carbohydrates turn into glucose in the body
after they have been digested.
Glycogen: the stored form of glucose which the
body uses for long-term energy. Glycogen is stored mostly in the
muscle and the liver.
Hormone: a chemical substance that is produced
in the body. This substance regulates certain activities in the
body. Hormones play important roles in growth, development and reproduction.
Estrogen and testosterone are examples of hormones.
Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar.
Latent: dormant, temporarily inactive, hidden.
Metabolize: the action of the cells in breaking
down substances in the body.
Nutrient: a substance that provides nourishment
to the body. Carbo-hydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals
are all considered nutrients.
Phytochemical: a substance found in fruits, vegetables
and whole grains that has many health promoting and immune boosting
properties.
Standardized: herbal products that are manufactured
so that compa-rable products have the same amount of all the same
ingredients.
Sustained response: an undetectable viral load
for 6 months after treatment ends.
Tincture: the liquid form of an herb. Most tinctures
are alcohol based and are made by soaking the herb in a drinkable
form of alcohol (ethanol, grain). This extracts the active parts
of the herb while also acting as a preservative. Tinctures are also
available in nonalcoholic versions and are prepared by soaking the
herb in glycerol rather than alcohol.
Water soluble: able to dissolve in water.
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