GLOSSARY

ANEMIA

Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.

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ANTIOXIDANT

A substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.

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ARA

A polyunsaturated fatty acid present in the phospholipids of membranes of the body's cells, and is abundant in the brain, muscles, and liver.

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BMR

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an estimate of how many calories you'd burn if you were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including breathing and keeping your heart beating.

For reference only: 

For men: BMR = 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (years) + 5

For women: BMR = 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (years) – 161

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​CALCIUM

Your body uses 99 percent of its calcium to keep your bones and teeth strong, thereby supporting skeletal structure and function. The rest of the calcium in your body plays key roles in cell signaling, blood clotting, muscle contraction and nerve function.  Body also needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.  Foods rich in calcium include dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt; leafy green vegetables; fish with soft bones that you eat, such as canned sardines and salmon; breakfast cereals, fruit juices, soy and rice drinks, and tofu.

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CARBOHYDRATES

A large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose.   They contain hydrogen and typically can be broken down to release energy in the body.

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CHOLINE

Choline is a macro-nutrient that’s important for liver function, normal brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, supporting energy levels and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Eggs, liver, and peanuts, are especially rich in choline.

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COLLAGEN

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons.  It’s what helps give our skin strength and elasticity, along with replacing dead skin cells.  Collagen keeps our joints, tendons and holds the body together.  Sources of collagen are foods very high in protein, including bone broth, red and green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic, soy, berries, white tea, citrus fruits, egg white, and oysters.

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DAILY VALUE

Daily Value is a guide to the nutrients in one serving of food.  For example, if the label lists 15 percent for calcium, it means that one serving provides 15 percent of the calcium you need each day.  DVs are based on a 2,000-calorie diet for healthy adults.  Daily Value varies between gender and age.

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DHA

An omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina.

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DIETARY FATS

Dietary fat refers to the fats and oils found naturally in animal and plant foods, and those used in cooking, at the table, and added to processed foods.  Dietary fat gives you energy and helps with nutrient absorption and brain and nerve function.  Dietary fats can be obtained from nuts, avocados, olive, canola, sunflower and safflower oils; flax, chia and hemp seeds and oily fish.

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ENZYME

A substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

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GALACTOSEMIA

A rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects an individual's ability to metabolize the sugar galactose properly.

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GLUTEN-FREE

Is a diet that strictly excludes gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat and related grains, including barley, rye, oat, and all their species and hybrids (such as spelt, kamut, and triticale)

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GMO

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

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GOS

Non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by stimulating the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon.

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HALAL

Nourishment that follows Islamic law

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IRON

Iron transfers oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. As a component of myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles, iron supports metabolism.  Iron is also necessary for growth, development, normal cellular functioning, and synthesis of some hormones and connective tissue.  iron-rich foods including liver, beef, lentils, dark chocolate, spinach, sardines, black beans, pistachios, raisins, and other meat, fish, beans, nuts, vegetables and even some fruit.

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KOSHER

Food, or premises in which food is sold, cooked, or eaten) satisfying the requirements of Jewish law.

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MANGANESE

Manganese plays a role in synthesis of nutrients like cholesterol, carbohydrates and proteins.   Also, manganese is involved in the formation of bone mass and helps balance that affect nearly every aspect of health.  Manganese needed for many vital functions, including nutrient absorption, production of digestive enzymes, bone development and immune-system defenses.  Rich sources of manganese include whole grains, nuts, leafy vegetables, and teas.

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MILK BASED

Milk-based formulas are made with cow's milk protein that has been changed to be more like breast milk.  They contain lactose (a type of sugar in milk) and minerals from the cow's milk; vegetable oils, plus other minerals and vitamins are also in the formula.

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MINERALS

​Essential nutrients, those that your body needs but cannot produce, include the inorganic substances found in foods known as minerals.

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NUCLEOTIDE

Organic molecules that serve as the monomer units for forming the nucleic acid polymers deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), both of which are essential biomolecules in all life-forms on Earth.  Nucleotides also play a central role in life-form metabolism at the fundamental, cellular level.

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OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID

Three types of omega−3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are α-linolenic acid (ALA), found in plant oils, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both commonly found in marine oils.  Marine algae and phytoplankton are primary sources of omega−3 fatty acids.  Omega−3 fatty acids are important for normal metabolism.

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OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that lowers the density of bones over time, making them weaker and more likely to fracture.

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POTASSIUM

Potassium helps your nerves to function and muscles to contract.  It helps your heartbeat stay regular. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.  A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.  Sources of potassium in the diet include leafy greens, such as spinach and collards; fruit from vines, such as grapes and blackberries; root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes; citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit.

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PREBIOTICS

Prebiotics are natural, non-digestible food components that are linked to promoting the growth of helpful bacteria in your gut.  Simply said, they're "good" bacteria promoters.  Prebiotics may improve gastrointestinal health as well as potentially enhance calcium absorption.  Foods enriched with prebiotics are fruits, vegetables and whole grains such as bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, artichokes, soybeans and whole-wheat foods.

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PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are “good” bacteria.  They are live microorganisms similar to the ones already living in your gut and may offer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.  These active cultures help change or repopulate intestinal bacteria to balance gut flora.  This functional component may boost immunity and overall health.  Probiotics have been used for management of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.   Probiotics foods including non-dairy foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh and cultured non-dairy yogurts.

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SODIUM

Sodium helps muscles and nerves work properly by assisting muscular contraction and transmission of nerve signals.  It also helps regulate blood pressure, volume, maintains an appropriate overall balance of bodily fluids.  Sodium also helps sustain a regular blood pH level, an important indicator of health.  Iron rich foods including salted nuts, smoked, cured, salted or canned meat, fish or poultry including bacon, cold cuts, ham, frankfurters, sausage, sardines, caviar and anchovies. 

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SOY BASED

These formulas are made using soy proteins.   They do not contain lactose.  Babies who are allergic to cow's milk may also be allergic to soy milk.  Soy-based formulas should be used for infants with galactosemia, a rare condition.  These formulas can also be used for babies who can't digest lactose, which is uncommon in children younger than 12 months.

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VITAMINS

A group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.

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• A - A fat soluble vitamin that is also a powerful antioxidant.  Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision, neurological function, healthy skin.  Antioxidants like Vitamin A are also responsible for building strong bones, regulating gene regulation, maintaining healthy clear skin, facilitating cell differentiation, and supporting immune function. Some of the best sources of Vitamin A include eggs, milk, liver, carrots, yellow or orange vegetables such as squash, spinach, and other leafy green vegetables.

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• B1- Also known as thiamine.  Thiamine is found in foods such as cereals, whole grains, meat, nuts, beans, and peas. Thiamine is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates from foods into products needed by the body.

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• B2 - Also called Riboflavin, is an important vitamin that also acts as an antioxidant within the body. Vitamin B2 is responsible for maintaining healthy blood cells, helping to boost energy levels, facilitating in a healthy metabolism, preventing free radical damage, contributing to growth, protecting skin and eye health, and even more.

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• B3 - Also called niacin and niacin-amide, is an important water-soluble vitamin that can be found in many common foods including certain types of meat and organ meat, tuna fish, seeds, mushrooms and others.  Vitamin B1 is for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system and metabolism- especially balancing blood cholesterol levels.  In addition niacin helps with brain function, healthy skin formation and maintenance and even preventing or treating diabetes.

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• B5 - B5 vitamin roles within the body, such as converting nutrients from food into energy, balancing blood sugar, reducing bad cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure, preventing nerve damage and pain, and preventing heart failure.  It plays a role in the synthesis of fat, hormones, and carbohydrates that we take in from the foods we eat, turning them into usable energy that the body uses in many ways.  B5 vitamin sources include both plants and animals foods such as meat, organ meat, beans and legumes, certain nuts and seeds, raw milk, and eggs.

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• B6 - B6 plays an important role in a range of physical and psychological functions. They are most known for helping to maintain a healthy metabolism, nerve function, liver function, skin health, eye health, as well as help to boost levels of energy.  Vitamin B6 benefits can be found in many foods that are commonly eaten.  This includes nuts and seeds, certain kinds of meat and poultry, avocados, certain legumes and beans.

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• B7 - Also known as biotin.  Biotin acts as a co-enzyme in the body that’s needed for the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose.  This means that when we eat foods that are sources of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, vitamin B7 — biotin — must be present in order to convert and use these macronutrients for bodily energy to carry out physical activities and for proper psychological functioning.  Biotin can be found in foods like organ meats, eggs, avocado, cauliflower, berries, fish, legumes and mushrooms.

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• B9 - Vitamin B9 is essential for human growth and development, encourages normal nerve and proper brain functioning, and may help reduce blood-levels of the amino acid homocysteine.   Folic acid may also help protect against cancers of the lung, colon, and cervix, and may help slow memory decline associated with aging.  Pregnant women have an increased need for folic acid: it supports the growth of the placenta and fetus, and helps to prevent several types of birth defects, especially those of the brain and spine.   Pregnant women and women of child-bearing age should take extra caution to get enough folic acid.  Spinach, green vegetables and beans are good sources, as are fortified products such as orange juice, baked goods, and cereals. Other natural sources of folate include asparagus, bananas, melons, lemons, legumes, yeast, and mushrooms.

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• B12 - Vitamin B12 benefits your mood, energy level, memory, heart, skin, hair, digestion and more. Vitamin B12 is also an essential vitamin for addressing adrenal fatigue, multiple metabolic functions — including enzyme production, DNA synthesis and hormonal balance — and maintaining healthy nervous and cardiovascular systems.  Animal foods are the best food sources of vitamin B12, including organic grass-fed dairy products, cage-free eggs, grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, organic poultry and organ meats.

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• C - A water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in maintaining the health of the body’s connective tissue as well as acting as an antioxidant.  The benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.  Fruits and vegetables are the best food sources of vitamin C.

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• D - A fat-soluble vitamin acts as a pro-hormone and effects hormone balance and immune regulation of the body, and responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and multiple other biological effects.  Only a few foods contain vitamin D. The major natural source of the vitamin is sun light.

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• E - A vitamin that plays the role of antioxidant, preventing free radical damage to specific fats in the body that are critical for your health and naturally slowing aging.  Other vitamin E benefits include its role as an important fat-soluble vitamin that’s required for the proper function of many organs, enzymatic activities and neurological processes, treating and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as chest pains, high blood pressure, and blocked or hardened arteries.  Vitamin E is found only in plant foods, including certain oils, nuts, grains, fruits and wheat germ.

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• K - A fat-soluble vitamins that the human body requires for complete synthesis of certain proteins that are prerequisites for blood coagulation and which the body also needs for controlling binding of calcium in bones keep your bones strong, and other tissues.  Foods high in vitamin K2 include meat, dairy and natto.

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ZINC

Zinc benefits the body in many ways: helps with hormone production, growth and repair; improves immunity and facilitates digestion. Zinc benefits also include its ability to act as an anti-inflammatory agent.  It acts like an antioxidant within the body,  fighting free-radical damage and slow the aging process. Zinc also has a big impact on hormonal balance. Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, lamb, toasted wheat germ, spinach, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, nuts, dark chocolate, pork, chicken, beans, and mushrooms.