Personal Nutrition Vocab 3

1. Scurvy

a nutritional disorder caused by a severe, chronic deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet, leading to defective collagen formation

2. Coenzymes

organic, non-protein molecules that bind temporarily to enzymes to assist in catalyzing biochemical reactions, acting as essential "helpers"

3. Antioxidants

"free radical scavengers" that help fight oxidative stress, a process linked to chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's.

4. Free radicals

highly reactive, unstable atoms or molecules with one or more unpaired electrons in their outer shell

5. Beta-carotene

a red-orange pigment found in plants and fruits (like carrots and sweet potatoes) that acts as a potent antioxidant and a primary provitamin A compound

6. Precursor

an inactive substance or nutrient that is transformed by the body into an active, functional compound, such as a vitamin, hormone, or enzyme.

7. Retina

light-sensitive layer of tissue located at the back of the eyeball that acts as the "camera film" of the eye, capturing incoming light and converting it into neural signals sent to the brain.

8. Retinol activity equivalents

the current international standard unit of measurement used to quantify Vitamin A activity in food and dietary supplements, accounting for the different bioavailability of preformed Vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids.

9. Anemia

a blood disorder characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of red blood cells or a decrease in hemoglobin concentration

10. Neural tube defects

serious, often preventable, birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that occur during the first month of pregnancy—frequently before a person knows they are pregnant. They result from the failure of the neural tube to close properly.

11. Homocysteine

a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid produced in the body as an intermediate byproduct during the metabolism of methionine, an essential amino acid found in protein-rich foods

12. Intrinsic factor

a specialized glycoprotein (a protein with a bound sugar group) produced by parietal cells in the stomach lining. It is essential for human nutrition because it enables the body to absorb vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in the small intestine

13. Atrophic gastritis

a chronic inflammatory condition where the stomach lining thins over time, resulting in the loss of glandular cells responsible for producing stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), pepsin, and intrinsic factor

14. Hemoglobin

an iron-rich protein contained within red blood cells, responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returning carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs

15. Intestinal microflora

refers to the trillions of microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, and viruses—living in the digestive tract, playing a critical role in immunity, digestion, and metabolism

16. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

17. Energy metabolism

converting food (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) into energy () to fuel cellular activity, digestion, and physical movement

18. Beriberi

nutritional disorder caused by a severe deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), an essential nutrient needed for energy metabolism, nerve function, and muscle contraction

19. Choline

an essential nutrient, often grouped with B-vitamins, crucial for brain development, nerve function, muscle movement, and liver health

20. Phytochemicals

naturally occurring bioactive compounds produced by plants. non-nutritive components—meaning they are not required by the human body to sustain life, but have significant health benefits.