Glossary Of Terms In Nutrision

GLOSSARY OF TERMS IN NUTRISION

Ascites : accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Basal energy expenditure : The amount of energy used in 24 hours by a person who is lying quietly, 12 hour after the last meal, in a comfortable temperature and environment.

Carnitine : an amino acid which forms an ester with fatty acyl COA to facilitate the transfer of long-chain fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes for oxidation.

Cirrhosis : inflammation and scarring of liver tissues resulting in impaired liver function.

Dietary fiber : plant fibers that include cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, gums and pectin.

Essential fatty acids (EFA) : fatty acids which the body needs, but cannot be synthesized. The two main EFAs are linoleic acid and linolenic acids.

Fibrosis : formation of fibrous tissue in repair process.

Growth spurt : The period of growth when the growth rate is fastest.

Haemorrhoids : Commonly known as piles.

Haematuria : condition in which urine contains blood.

Infant mortality rate : number of infant deaths in the first years of life per 1000 live births.

Insulin : hormone secreted by beta cells of the islet of langerhans.

Invisible fats : Fat present as an integral component of plant and animal foods such as in cereals and legumes.

Ketogenesis : Synthesis of ketones.

Ketonemia : Presence of ketones in the blood.

Ketonuria : excretion of ketones when fatty acids are incompletely oxidized in the body.

Ketosis : condition resulting from incomplete oxidation of fatty acids, and the consequent accumulation of ketones like acetone, beta - hydroxybutyric acid and aceto acetic acid.

Kilocalorie : the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1^oC.

Lactational amenorrhea : cessation of monthly menstrual period during the period of lactation.

Menarche : The onset of menses in females

Necrosis : death of a cell or portion of a tissue

Nephritis : inflammation of the nephrons

Nephrosis : degeneration of the nephrons.

Nocturia : Urination at night.

Nutrient balance : The balance between intake and output for a particular nutrient.

Oedema : abnormal accumulation of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces or body cavities.

Oliguria : scanty secretion of urine.

Osmolarity : Is a measure of the osmotically active particles per litre of the solution. It is expressed as mOsm/l.

Osmotically : Is a measure of the osmatically active particles per kilogram of the solvent in which the particles are dispersed. It is expressed as mOsm/kg.

Osteopenia : A metabolic bone disease common in preterm infants, also called rickets of prematurity.

Plaque : any patch area : atherosclerotic plaque is a deposit of lipid material in the blood vessel.

Prophylaxis: prevention of disease

Proteinuria : excretion of protein in the urine

Purging : The use of self - induced vomiting, laxatives or diuretics to prevent weight gain.

Rooting reflex : If the baby's cheek is touched the baby will turn towards that side.

Transamination : the reversible transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid, forming a new keto acid and a new amino acid without the appearance of ammonia.

Visible fats: Fats and oils that can be used directly or in cooking.