Despite being present in our daily lives, whether because it is part of our body or our food, several words still sound strange or unknown to many people, so we created this glossary.
So, whenever there are doubts, you can consult this material that explains terms in different areas of nutrition.
Antibodies: These are blood proteins, produced by the immune system in order to guarantee the defense of the organism.
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fats, cholesterol and other substances on the walls of the arteries and within them, hindering the passage of blood and can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
HDL cholesterol: Also known as “good cholesterol”, the term HDL comes from high density lipoprotein. HDL cholesterol is linked to a protein that removes it from the arteries and transports it to the liver, preventing its accumulation.
LDL cholesterol: The acronym comes from low density lipoprotein and LDL cholesterol is considered “bad” because it carries cholesterol particles from the liver to the arteries. This action promotes the clogging of the vessels, in addition to increasing the possibility of infarction and stroke.
Dash Diet: Dash Diet is an acronym referring to the diet to fight hypertension. In practice, this diet encourages the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and vegetables as a way to combat high blood pressure. That’s because they are foods rich in nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Diabetes Mellitus: Also known only as diabetes, it is a chronic disease that causes metabolic disorders. In it, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for the body’s needs or, when it does, the substance does not act properly, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
Dyslipidemias: Dyslipidemias are characterized by an abnormal elevation of lipids, that is, they mean increases in fats in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. When these levels are high, there is the possibility of formation and accumulation of fat in the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Trans fat: Trans fat is a type of vegetable fat that goes through an industrial or natural hydrogenation process.
BMI: The acronym refers to the Body Mass Index, and is used to assess a person’s weight in relation to their height. With this, it is possible to check if there is overweight or obesity and what is the degree.
Insulin: Insulin is the hormone that controls blood glucose. It is from the work of insulin that sugar is absorbed by the cells to be used as an energy source.
Lipid: Lipids, also known as fats, are important organic molecules for living beings and function as an energy reserve and thermal insulator.
Nutrients: Nutrients are substances present in food and indispensable for the functioning of the body, as they are responsible for several functions, such as providing energy and maintaining and repairing tissues. They are: water, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and minerals.
Overweight: The term overweight is usually used to indicate weight over what is considered healthy for the person. The measurement is made through the Body Mass Index (BMI), and takes into account, height and sex.
Triglycerides: Also known as triglycerides, they are the main fats in the body and act as an energy reserve. However, the high level of triglycerides in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Is there a word you didn’t find here? Leave it in the comments. Our glossary is constantly being built and you can be part of it.
