It can be difficult for people to fully understand health and nutrition information unless they understand the terminology being used. Help your patients by sharing our glossary of some of the more common terms.
- Antioxidant –
- A
compound that protects other compounds from oxidation by being oxidized
itself. In the food industry, antioxidants are used to prevent rancidity
of fats and to protect foods from the damage of oxygen. In the body,
antioxidants protect fat soluble vitamins and are free radical (oxygen)
scavengers.
- Bioavailability –
- Refers
to the rate and extent that nutrients are absorbed and utilized by
the body.
- Blood Pressure –
- The
force of blood against artery walls.
- BMI –
- Refers to
body mass index, an indicator of an adult’s weight relative to
height. The BMI is determined by dividing kilograms of weight by the
square of the height in meters. The BMI can also be calculated using
pounds and inches. The formula is: weight in pounds divided by height
in inches squared, multiplied by 703.
- Calcium –
- The mineral
present in the highest amount in the human body and stored in bone
and teeth. Calcium functions in many metabolic processes including
muscle contraction and blood clotting. Food sources of calcium are
milk, fortified orange juices and soy milk, sardines and other dairy
and vegetable foods.
- Calcium Citrate Malate (CCM,
see FruitCal ®) –
- A source of calcium used
in fortified and enriched foods that is highly bioavailable. For example,
calcium citrate malate is used in Tropicana Pure Premium® with
calcium orange juices.
- Folate –
- Also called
folic acid and folacin and one of the B vitamins. It helps manufacture
DNA required for all rapidly growing cells. Food sources of folate
include beans, bananas, orange juice, oranges, watermelon, potatoes,
and fortified cereals and breads.
- Fortification –
- Refers
to the addition of nutrients to a food in order to supply extra nutrients
to meet a need for a nutrient at risk in the population or to balance
the nutrient profile of a food.
- Free Radicals –
- Refers
to unstable and highly reactive molecules, typically an oxygen-derived
molecule that causes widespread damage in the body or can cause oxidation
in foods. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals.
- FruitCal ® (see Calcium
Citrate Malate or CCM) –
- FruitCal ® is the brand of calcium citrate
malate that Tropicana® uses in its fortified
orange juices.
- Hypertension –
- High
blood pressure defined by a systolic blood pressure of 140 or above
and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher.
- Overweight –
- A
person is considered overweight if his BMI is between 25 and 30. See
BMI for calculation procedures.
- Phytonutrients –
- Naturally occuring non-nutrient plant compounds that have health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
- Potassium –
- This
mineral is an electrolyte. It is helpful in keeping body fluids in
balance, and maintaining nerve transmissions and muscle contractions.
Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables provide abundant levels of potassium.
- Vitamin C –
- Also
called ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that
acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C has many functions in the body including
the promotion of healthy skin and gums. Vitamin C also enhances the absorption of iron from non-heme iron sources (iron-rich grains and other plant foods such as whole-grain cereals) when ingested at the same time as the iron. Vitamin C is commonly found in citrus fruits, citrus
juices, and a wide variety of fruit and vegetables including potatoes,
strawberries, and spinach.
- Vitamin D –
- This
is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions by helping the body to absorb calcium and limiting calcium losses.
Vitamin D can be obtained through exposure to sunlight and through
foods like fortified milk and orange juice.
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