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GLOSSARY (OPTIVIN™)
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1. Acidosis
A serious
condition in which the acidity of the blood rises. It occurs only in extreme and
unusual circumstances such as severe untreated diabetes or advanced kidney
disease.
2.
Alzheimer’s Disease
A
common brain disorder featuring severe shrinkage from loss of nerve tissue.
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3.
Angina
The symptom of oppression, pain or tightness in the centre of
the chest which occurs when the coronary arteries are unable to provide an
adequate blood supply to meet the immediate demands of the heart muscle.
4.
Angiogenesis
The
origination and development of new capillary blood vessels in normal or
malignant tissue.
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5.
Anthocyanins
Any of
various water-soluble pigments that impart to flowers and other plant parts
colors ranging from violet and blue to most shades of red. The natural
substances that provide pigmentation (colour) to fruits and vegetables, in
particular berries, and serve as a powerful natural antioxidant.
6.
Anthocyanosides
The pharmacologically active constituents of berries.
These molecules consist of a backbone known as anthocyanidin.
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7.
Antibiotic resistance
The natural tendency for bacteria, under the processes of natural
selection in an antibiotic-rich environment, to evolve in such a way as to
become capable of surviving in spite of these drugs.
8.
Antibiotics
Originally derived from cultures of living organisms, such
as fungi or bacteria, but today many are chemically synthesized, which are very
extensive range of drugs able to kill or prevent reproduction of bacteria in the
body without killing the patient.
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9.
Anti-inflammatory
Acting against inflammation.
10.
Antioxidants
Substances that inhibit oxidative changes in molecules.
Many oxidative changes are destructive and this applies as much to the human
body as to non-biological chemistry.
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11.
Aorta
The main and
largest artery of the body which springs directly from the lower pumping chamber
on the left side of the heart and gives off branches to the heart muscle, the
head, arms trunk, chest and abdominal organs and legs.
12.
Arteries
The elastic,
muscular-walled tubes carrying blood at high pressure from the heart to any part
of the body.
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13.
Arthritis
Inflammation in a joint, usually with swelling, redness, pain and
restriction of movement.
14.
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid. A drug used as a painkiller, to reduce fever,
as an antiplatelet agent to reduce the tendency of blood to clot within the
circulation, and as a means of reducing the likelihood of heart attack, stroke,
diabetic retinopathy, migraine and colon cancer.
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15.
Atherosclerosis
A
degenerative disease of arteries in which fatty plaques of atheroma (material
containing cholesterol, degenerate muscle cells, blood clot, blood platelets and
fibrous tissue) develop on the inner lining of arteries so that the normal flow
of blood is impeded.
16.
Bioavailability
The
amount of a drug that reaches the blood regardless of how it is given.
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17.
Biochemistry
The
study of the chemical processes going on in living organisms, especially humans.
18. Bladder
infection
The process
by which organisms capable of causing disease gain entry to the muscular bag for
the temporary storage of urine situated in the midline of the pelvis at the
lowest point in the abdomen, immediately behind the pubic bone.
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19. Blood
sugar
The level of
sugar in the circulating blood.
20.
Capillaries
The
smallest and most numerous of all the blood vessels. Capillaries form dense
networks between the arteries and the veins.
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21.
Capsule
Soluble
gelatine containers fro drugs in powder or liquid form.
22.
Carcinogenesis
The
causation of cancer, whether carcinoma (any cancer of a surface layer of the
body) or sarcoma (malignant tumours of connective tissue and blood
vessels).
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23.
Carcinogenic
Capable
of causing cancer.
24.
Cardiovascular
Relating to the heart and its connected closed circulatory system of
blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins)
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25.
Cartilage
A dense form of connective tissue performing various
functions in the body such as providing bearing surfaces in the joints, flexible
linkages for the ribs and a supportive tissue in which bone may be formed during
growth.
26.
Cataract
Opacification of the internal focusing lens of the eye (the
crystalline lens) due to irreversible structural changes in the orderly
arrangement of the fibres from which the lens is made as a result of aggregation
of crystalline protein in the lens.
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27.
Cellular
Relating to or consisting of living cells.
28.
Central nervous system
The brain and its downward continuation, the
spinal cord, which lies in the spinal canal within the spine (vertebral column).
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29.
Cholesterol
An
essential body ingredient found in all human cells, mainly as part of the
structure of the cell membranes. It is needed to form the essential steroid
hormones. It is synthesized in the liver. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is
called as “good” cholesterol, it can remove cholesterol from arteries and
transport it back to the liver for excretion while low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
is called "bad" cholesterol, because elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are
associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
When measuring
cholesterol, any contained in HDL particles serves as protection to the body's
cardiovascular health. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it and
other substances may begin to build up along the inside of the artery walls,
forming what is known as cholesterol plaque finally result in heart
attack.
30. Chronic
Lasting for a long time. A chronic disorder
may be mild or severe but will usually involve some long-term or permanent
organic change in the body.
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31.
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon.
32.
Collagen
An important protein structural element in the
body.
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33. Collagen
fibre
It is a very
strong and formed into bundles which are often twisted together, make up much of
the connective tissue of the body.
34. Connective
tissue
Loose or dense
collections of collagen fibres and many cells, in a liquid, gelatinous or solid
medium. It participates in the structure of organs or body tissue or binds them
together. It includes cartilage, bone, tooth dentine and lymphoid
tissue.
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35.
Cyclooxygenase
Loose or dense collections of collagen fibres and many
cells in a liquid, gelatinous or solid medium. Connective tissue participates in
the structure of organs or body tissue or binds them together. It includes
cartilage, bone, tooth dentine and lymphoid tissue.
36.
Degenerative diseases
Diseases featuring structural regression of body tissue or organs,
from disease, aging or misuse, which leads to functional impairment, usually
progressive.
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37.
Delphinidin
A blue to
purple anthocyanin common in irises or plants.
38.
Diabetic retinopathy
A disease of small retinal blood vessels that
causes blood leakage which may be confined to the retina and extend forward into
the vitreous body with serious effects on vision.
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39.
Digestion
The
conversion of food into a form suitable for absorption and use by the body. This
involves both mechanical reduction to a finer consistency and chemical breakdown
to simpler substance.
40.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. The very long molecule that winds up to
form a chromosome and that contains the complete code for the automatic
construction of the body.
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41.
Dopamine
A monoamine neurotransmitter and hormone with an
adrenaline-like action. It is the principal neurotransmitter in the
extrapyramidal system. It is formed in the brain from the amino acid tyrosine.
Dopamine is the precursor of noradrenaline. It is also concerned with mood,
memory and food intake.
42.
Dysfunction
Any disorder or abnormality of operation or performance
especially of any part of the body.
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43.
Endocrine hormones
The group of hormones controlled by the hypothalamus and the
pituitary, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the
islet tissue in the pancreas, the adrenal glands, the sex hormone-producing
tissue in the testicles and the ovaries, and the placenta during pregnancy.
These hormones circulate in the blood to affect cells, tissues, organs or the
entire organism.
44.
Endothelial cell membranes
The thin, pliable layer of tissue covering
surfaces of endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart
to the smallest capillary. The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that
lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between
circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall.
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45.
Enzyme
A biochemical
catalyst that enormously accelerates a chemical reaction. Enzymes are complex
protein molecules highly specific to particular reactions.
46.
Eyestrain
A term used to describe any feeling of discomfort or
distress related to the eyes or to seeing. Headache and aching of the muscles
around the eyes commonly result form visual difficulty.
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47.
Fatal
Causing
death.
48.
Flavonoids
A range of many thousands of lipid- soluble polyphenols of
low molecular weight, ubiquitous in the plant kingdom.
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49.
Formulation
The
process of preparing a drug in a particular way or in a specific form, such as
tablet, capsule, linctus, ointment or for one of the various forms of
injection.
50. Free
radicals
Highly
chemically active atoms or group of atoms capable of free existence, under
special conditions, for very short periods, each is having at least one unpaired
electron in the outer shell. Oxygen free radicals can be very damaging to DNA
and proteins and to the fat in cell membranes where a free radical chain
reaction can be set up. They are normally mopped up by antioxidants.
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51.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach from any cause.
52.
Genes
The physical
unit of heredity, represented as a continuous sequence of bases, arranged in a
code, in groups of three codons along the length of a DNA molecule (nucleic
acid).
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53.
Genetic
Relating to
genes or heredity.
54.
Glucose
A simple monosaccharide sugar present in the blood as the
basic fuel of the body.
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55.
Glycoprotein
Any
member of a class of proteins linked to carbohydrate units. They are called
conjugated proteins and are of comparatively small molecular weight.
56.
Gout
An acute
inflammatory joint disorder caused by deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate
crystals around joints, tendons and other tissues, especially the near joint of
the big toe. This occurs when there is excess uric acid in the body, probably as
a result of a genetic abnormality.
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57. Heart
attack
An serious
disorder of sudden onset in which part of the heart muscle is acutely deprived
of its blood supply usually as a result of blockage by blood clot of a branch of
one of the coronary arteries or as a result of coronary artery
system.
58.
Hippocampus
An
infolded ridge of the surface of the brain on either side. Disease or injury to
the hippocampus causes memory defects.
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59.
HMG-CoA reductase
Also known as statins, these are drugs that block the liver’s
production of cholesterol by competitive inhibition of the enzyme that catalyzes
the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis. These drugs can lower the
levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by 25-45 percent and a number of major
trials have shown their benefits in preventing heart attacks and other effects
of atherosclerosis.
60.
Hydrogen
A colourless, odourless, highly flammable gas which is the
lightest of the chemical elements.
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61.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful oxidizing and antibacterial agent. It is
formulated as a cream for external use on skin infections, ulcers and pressure
sores.
62.
Immunity
The relative ability to resist infection or the effects of
any toxic or dangerous substance. Immunity may be inherent or acquired as a
result of prior infection or immunization.
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63. In
vitro
Occurring in
the laboratory rather than in the body.
64. In
vivo
Occurring
naturally within the body.
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65.
Infection
The process
by which organisms capable of causing disease gain entry to the body and
establish colonies.
66.
Inflammation
The response of living tissue to injury, featuring
widening of blood vessels, with redness, heat, swelling and pain. Inflammation
also involves loss of function and is the commonest of all the disease
processes. It involves release of prostaglandins which strongly stimulate pain
nerve endings.
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67.
Insulin
A peptide
hormone produced in the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
Insulin facililtates and accelerates the movement of glucose and amino acids
across cell membranes. It also controls the activity of certain enzymes within
the cells concerned with carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Deficiency of
insulin causes diabetes.
68.
Intestine
The part of the digestive system lying between the outlet of
the stomach and the anus.
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69.
Intrinsic
Belonging
to or situated within, the body or part of the body.
70.
Keratinocytes
An
epidermal cell that produces keratin (A tough, insoluble protein substance that
is the chief structural constituent of hair, nails, horns, and
hooves).
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71.
Lipid
Also known as fat, it is stored as an oily liquid under the
skin and in the abdomen in thin-walled cells. Lipid forms the body’s main energy
store and is converted into fuel as required. Lipid stores also form an insulant
against heat loss, a mechanical shock absorber and a contouring
element.
72.
Lipofuscin
A golden-brown pigment that occurs in granules in muscle
and nerve cells in numbers proportional to the age of the individual. Also known
as age pigment.
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73.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
Low density lipoproteins contain relatively large amounts of
cholesterol. It transports lipids to muscles and to fat stores and is associated
with the arterial disease and stroke.
74.
Lung
The paired, air-filled, elastic, spongy organs occupying each
side of the chest and separated by the heart and the central partition of the
chest known as the mediastinum. The function of the lungs is continuously to
replenish the oxygen content of the blood and to afford an exit path from the
blood for carbon dioxide and other unwanted gases.
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75.
Lymphatic
Relating to lymph or its secretion.
76.
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration, a disorder affecting the central
and most important part of the retina in elderly people and causing progressive
loss of central vision. Peripheral vision is retained.
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77.
Metabolism
The totality of the body’s cellular chemical activity,
largely under the influence of enzymes, that results in work and growth or
repair. It involves the consumption of glucose and fatty acids, the production
of heat and the utilization of many constructional and other biochemical
elements provided in the diet, such as amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates,
vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
78.
Metastasis
The spread or transfer of any disease, but specially
cancer, from its original site to another place in the body where the disease
process starts up.
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79.
Microcirculation
Abnormally small movement in a circle or around a
circuit, especially the movement of the blood through the arteries, capillaries
and veins.
80.
Mitochondria
One of the class of important tiny elements in the
cytoplasm of nucleated cells.
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81.
Molecular
The adjective relating to or consisting of
molecules.
82.
Molecule
A group of atoms chemically bonded together, representing the
smallest fundamental unit of a compound that can take part in a chemical
reaction.
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83.
Motor
Carrying nerve impulses that stimulate muscles into contraction
or cause other responses such as gland secretion.
84.
Muscle
A tissue consisting of large numbers of parallel elongated
cells with the power of shortening and thickening so as to approximate their
ends and effect movement.
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85.
Mutagenic
Capable of
changing the structure of DNA without immediately killing the cell
concerned.
86.
Neurogenesis
Formation of nervous tissue.
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87.
Neurons
The
functional units of the nervous system.
88.
Neurotransmitters
A
range of small-molecule chemical substances released from a nerve ending on the
arrival of a nerve impulse.
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89.
Night blindness
Moderately reduced to severely defective vision in dim
light.
90.
Norepinephrine
An adrenal hormone, which functions as a
neurotransmitter and is also used as a drug to raise blood pressure.
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91.
Nutrients
Any physiologically valuable ingredient in food.
92.
Oligomeric Proanthocyanins
A complex of a specific molecule,
technically known as a flavan-3-ol molecule. They are A set of bioflavonoid
complexes that perform as free radical scavengers in the human body. They are
found in many plants throughout the plant kingdom with varying degrees of
concentration such as pine bark, grape seed, and grape skin.
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93.
ORAC
Oxygen- Radical
Absorbing Capacity. The standard method to evaluate the measurement of
antioxidant capacity.
94.
Oxidation
The process of oxidizing or the result of being
oxidized.
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95.
Oxidative stress
The widespread effects of oxygen free radicals on any
part of the body.
96.
Oxygen
A colourless, odourless gas, essential for life. It is required
for the functioning and survival of all body tissues, and deprivation for more
than a few minutes is fatal. It is needed for the fundamental chemical process
of oxidation of fuel to release energy.
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97.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas. This may be a sharp, severe
illness (acute pancreatitis) or a recurrent disorder (chronic
pancreatitis).
98.
Parkinson’s Disease
A syndrome featuring involuntary tremor of the
hands with “pill-rolling” finger movements, muscle rigidity and slowness of
movements. The face becomes mask- like, the speech slow and the voice quiet and
monotonous. There is difficulty in starting to walk and a tendency for the body
to incline forwards. The intellect is not affected. It affects 1 person in 1000
and becomes progressively more common with advancing age. It is due to brain
changes and loss of pigment and dopamine-producing cells.
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99.
Pathogen
Any agent that causes disease, especially a microorganism.
100.
Periodontal gum disease
Any disorder of the tissues surrounding and
supporting the teeth.
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101.
Peripheral circulation
Movement in a circle or around a circuit, especially the movement of
the blood through the arteries, capillaries and veins near the surface of the
body.
102.
Permeability
The capability in allowing liquids or gases to pass
through.
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103.
Photoaging
The process by which skin is changed or damaged as a result
of exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight and other sources. The
long-term effects of this process on the skin, as wrinkles, discoloration, or
susceptibility to cancer.
104.
Photodamage
The
detrimental effect of UV exposure that accelerates skin-aging
process.
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105.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants use sunlight to
synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.
106.
Physiological
The way in which a living organism or bodily part
functions.
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107.
Pigmentation
Coloration of any part of the body, especially the skin.
108.
Plaque
An area of
atheroma (the material containing cholesterol, degenerate muscle cells, blood
clot, blood platelets and fibrous tissue) found in the inner lining of arteries
in the disease of atherosclerosis.
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109.
Platelet aggregation
A fragment of the cytoplasm of a megakaryocyte
(an unusually large bone marrow cell). It plays an essential part in blood
clotting.
110.
Proliferate
The
process of increasing in number by reproduction.
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111.
Proteins
Large molecules consisting of up to thousands of amino acids
linked together by peptide bonds to form polypeptides.
112.
Reactive
A response
to a stimulus, which has a tendency to react chemically.
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113.
Respiration
The whole
process by which oxygen is transferred from the atmosphere to the body cells and
carbon dioxide is moved from the cells to the atmosphere. It is vital to life
and cessation for more than a few minutes is fatal.
114.
Retina
The complex membranous network of nerve cells, fibres and
photoreceptors that lines the inside of the back of the eye and converts optical
images formed by the lens system of the eye into nerve impulses.
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115.
Retinitis pigmentosa
A slow degenerative disorder of the rods and cones of the retinas of
both eyes with migration of pigment from the retinal pigment layer. It causes
night blindness only later there is progressive loss of an ever-enlarging area
of the peripheral field of vision. It varies greatly in age of onset and
severity.
116.
Skeletal muscle
The muscle pertains to the skeleton (the framework of
usually 206 articulated bones that give the body its general shape).
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117.
Sterile
Free from bacteria or other microorganisms or incapable of
reproduction.
118.
Stomach ulcer
An area on the inner mucosal surface of the stomach,
duodenum or esophagus in which stomach acid and digestive enzymes have acted as
to erode the surface and expose the underlying layers of muscle.
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119.
Stroke
The effect of acute deprivation of blood to a part of the brain
by narrowing or obstruction of an artery, usually by thrombosis, or of damage to
the brain substance from bleeding into it.
120.
Tablet
A pill in the shape of a disc or cylinder, containing a
compressed drug or medicine.
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121.
Tumour
A swelling. The term usually refers to any mass of cells
resulting from abnormal degree of multiplication.
122.
Ultraviolet radiation
The electromagnetic radiation having a
wavelength just shorter than that of violet light but longer than that of
X-rays.
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123.
Urethra
The tube that
carries urine from the bladder to the exterior.
124.
Urinary tract
The
passage formed which refers to the organs, structures, and ducts in which urine
is produced and discharged.
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125.
Varicose vein
Enlarged, twisted and distorted veins, occurring in the
legs, at the lower end of the gullet.
126.
Vascular system
The system of vessels for carrying blood, water, and
nutrients in the body.
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References:
Robert M.
Youngson, Dictionary of Medicine, HarperCollins Publishers, Third Edition,
2004.
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