| Health Glossary |
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- calorie: A unit of energy-producing potential in food This energy, if not used, is
converted to fat and stored.
- D
- digestive enzymes: Beneficial microorganisms in the mouth, stomach and small
and large intestines that breakdown food so the body can absorb it.
- E
- exercise: Physical activity done for the purpose of improving strength, keeping fit
and maintaining good health.
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- fiber: Coarse fibrous substances in food, found in grains, fruits, and vegetables,
and aid digestion. Plant matter that is considered to play a role in the prevention of
many diseases of the digestive tract.
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- health: Complete physical and mental well-being.
- herbs: A plant or plant part used for its medicinal, seasoning, or aromatic qualities.
- I
- intestines: The digestive tract. The part of the digestive system between the
stomach and the anus that digests and absorbs food. The small intestine digests
and absorbs food from the stomach, and the large intestine then absorbs most of
the remaining water in the food.
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- lifestyle: The way a person lives, including social relations, consumption,
entertainment, and dress. It is a mixture of habits, conventional ways of doing
things, and reasoned actions.
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- microorganisms: Forms of life that are to small to see with the naked eye. There
are good (beneficial) and bad (disease causing) microorganisms.
- minerals: Examples are; calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. They
are needed for the proper functioning of the human body and are obtained from
foods and supplements.
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- nutritious: Healthy to eat.
- O
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- probiotics: Live microorganisms that are added to food or supplements. They are
claimed to be beneficial to health by adding and feeding organisms that break down
food in the digestive system.
- processed foods: Foods that have been changed from their natural state for
safety reasons and for convenience. The methods used for processing foods
include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and disease-causing
microorganisms elimination.
- protein: Essential in the diet for the growth and repair of tissues of muscle, skin,
nails and hair and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and
legumes.
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- toxins: A poison produced by a living organism. A substance that accumulates in
the body and causes it harm.
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- vitamins: Needed for normal growth and functioning of the human body and are
obtained from plant and animal foods and from supplements.
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- whole foods: Food that has been processed or refined as little as possible and
has no additives or other artificial substances.
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