Phytochemicals, Nutrition, and Body Weight Management

VO2 max

Maximum rate of oxygen consumption during exercise.

Nutrient sensing

Body's ability to detect nutrient levels.

Incretins

Hormones that regulate insulin secretion post-meal.

Functional Food

Foods providing health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Phytochemicals

Health-promoting compounds found in plant foods.

Zoochemicals

Health-promoting compounds found in animal foods.

Settling Zone

Weight range where body stabilizes genetically.

Biological regulatory mechanisms

Processes activated by weight deviations from Settling Zone.

Body weight

Total mass of bone, muscle, fat, and fluids.

Healthy body weight

Weight promoting good health and activity levels.

Obesity

Excess body fat linked to health risks.

Body composition

Proportions of fat and lean mass in body.

Body fat distribution

Pattern of fat storage in the body.

Visceral fat

Fat surrounding organs, increasing disease risk.

Waist-to-hip ratio

Measure of fat distribution; men > 0.90.

Waist circumference

Measurement indicating fat distribution; men > 40 in.

Fitness

Body's capacity to perform aerobic work.

Health at every size

Acceptance of body diversity regardless of weight.

Normalized eating

Eating in response to hunger and fullness cues.

Body mass index (BMI)

Weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared.

Heart rate drop

Rate of heart rate decrease per minute post-exercise.

Maximal oxygen uptake

Best measure of cardiovascular fitness.

Training effects on VO2 max

Training can double VO2 max in some individuals.

Phytochemicals

Plant substances with health-promoting properties.

Glucagon

Hormone that raises blood glucose levels.

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood glucose levels.

Incretins

Peptide hormones enhancing insulin secretion post-meal.

GIP

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, an incretin hormone.

GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1, an incretin hormone.

Nutrient Sensing

Cells detect and respond to nutrient availability.

Neurolymphocrine System

System integrating neural and hormonal responses to nutrients.

Zoochemical

Animal-derived compounds with health benefits.

Superfoods

Foods rich in nutrients and beneficial compounds.

Avocado Nutritional Value

150g provides 40% fiber, 25% vitamin C.

Kale Nutritional Value

100g contains 200% vitamin A, 134% vitamin C.

Açaí Juice Nutritional Value

Provides 6% daily vitamin A per glass.

Rhubarb Toxicity

Rhubarb leaves are poisonous; stems are safe.

Common Food Toxins

Toxins in plants that can be harmful.

Glycoalkaloids

Toxic compounds found in potatoes and cassava.

Trypsin Inhibitors

Proteins that inhibit digestion in soy and peas.

Food Synergy

Combined effects of foods enhancing health benefits.

Dietary Patterns

Overall eating habits influencing health outcomes.

Whole Grains

Grains containing bran, germ, and endosperm.

Functional Foods

Foods providing health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Epigenetic Imprinting

Long-term changes in gene expression from environment.

Avidin

Protein that binds biotin tightly.

Biotin

Vitamin B7, essential for metabolism.

Lectins

Carbohydrate-binding proteins with sugar specificity.

Cooking

Reduces lectin activity in foods.

Salicin

Compound not showing aspirin-like anticlotting effects.

White Willow

Source of salicin, used for pain relief.

Carotenoids

Plant pigments with antioxidant properties.

Lycopene

Carotenoid giving tomatoes their red color.

β-Carotene

Carotenoid providing significant vitamin A activity.

Flavonoids

Plant compounds proposed to reduce inflammation.

Uric Acid

Waste product from purine metabolism.

Antioxidant Activity

Ability to neutralize free radicals.

Phenolic Compounds

Plant metabolites with health benefits.

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Plant source of licorice compounds.

Phytoestrogens

Plant-derived compounds mimicking estrogen.

Soy Isoflavones

Phytoestrogens found in soy products.

Indoles

Compounds found in cruciferous vegetables.

Allium Vegetables

Includes garlic and onions, rich in sulfur.

Nitrates

Compounds that can convert to nitric oxide.

Nitrosamines

Potentially harmful compounds from nitrites.

Ginger Phytochemicals

Compounds with anti-inflammatory and nausea effects.

Caffeine

Stimulant that inhibits cAMP breakdown.

Flavonoids

Plant compounds that may reduce inflammation and disease.

Phytoestrogens

Plant-derived compounds mimicking estrogen effects.

Nitrate

Compound found in vegetables, beneficial for blood flow.

Antioxidants

Substances preventing oxidative damage in cells.

Alcohol

Organic compound affecting metabolism and health.

Undernutrition

Deficiency in essential nutrients affecting health.

Sarcopenia

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Lectins

Carbohydrate-binding proteins affecting nutrient absorption.

Glycoalkaloids

Toxic compounds found in certain uncooked plants.

Trypsin Inhibitors

Proteins that inhibit digestive enzyme activity.

Carotenoids

Pigments in plants with antioxidant properties.

β-Carotene

Carotenoid providing vitamin A activity.

Indoles

Compounds in cruciferous vegetables with health benefits.

Isothiocyanates

Compounds in cruciferous vegetables aiding cancer protection.

Alliums

Vegetables like garlic and onions with health benefits.

Phenolic Compounds

Plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Antioxidant Activity

Ability to inhibit oxidative stress in cells.

Oxyradical-Scavenging Capacity

Measure of antioxidant effectiveness in foods.

Prudent Diet

Dietary pattern emphasizing whole foods and balance.

Western Diet

Diet characterized by high processed food intake.

Solidago virgaurea

Goldenrod, used for anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.

Vanilla planifolia

Vanilla, utilized in food and perfumery.

Viburnum prunifolium

Black haw, known for antispasmodic properties.

Beets

Rich in nitrates, beneficial for health.

Nitric oxide

Vasodilator formed from nitrites.

Red meat cooking

High temperatures can form genotoxic nitrosamines.

Ginger phytochemicals

Compounds like 6-gingerol, beneficial for inflammation.

Ethanol

Two-carbon alcohol, soluble in water and lipids.

Alcohol dehydrogenase

Main enzyme for ethanol metabolism.

Microsomal ethanol oxidizing system

Second major pathway for ethanol metabolism.

Fatty acid ethyl ester synthase

Catalyzes non-oxidative ethanol metabolism.

Lipogenesis

Conversion of carbohydrates to fatty acids.

Cirrhosis

Irreversible liver condition with scar tissue.