Home and Earth

Where We Live and Grow

A Tips and Information Site For Making Our Home and Earth A Better Place To Live

A

B

bowel

See also: intestines

C

calorie

A unit of energy-producing potential in food This energy, if not used, is converted to fat and stored.

D

diet

The food that we usually consume. It could be for the amount of food we eat for weight loss or weight gain, the kinds of food with good nutritional value we eat for better health or to maintain or improve a medical condition.

digestive enzymes

Beneficial microorganisms in the mouth, stomach and small and large intestines that breakdown food so the body can absorb it.

digestive system

The parts of the body that take in (ingest), break down (digest), and absorb (enter) nutrients, vitamins and minerals from food. These parts include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, rectum and anus.

E

exercise

Physical activity done for the purpose of improving strength, keeping fit and maintaining good health.

F

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.

G

H

health

Complete physical and mental well-being.

herbs

A plant or plant part used for its medicinal, seasoning, or aromatic qualities.

highly processed

Foods that have been changed from their natural state for safety reasons and for convenience. This process can destroy nutrients, vitamins, minerals and even taste. Sometimes harmful chemicals in the form of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors are added to make the food taste better and look good.

I

immune system

The body's defense system that protects its self from getting sick.

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.

J

K

L

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.

M

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.

N

nutrient

A substance that provides nourishment. Nutrients are in food and minerals and keep our body healthy and help it to grow.

nutritious

Healthy to eat.

O

P

preservatives

Something added to food to keep it as it is, in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed. Sometimes this could be a harmful chemical.

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.

Q

R

S

supplement

To improve something by adding something to it.

T

toxins

A poison produced by a living organism. A substance that accumulates in the body and causes it harm.

U

V

vitamins

Needed for normal growth and functioning of the human body and are obtained from plant and animal foods and from supplements.

W

whole foods

Food that has been processed or refined as little as possible and has no additives or other artificial substances.

X

Y

Z