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Antioxidant
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A compound that has the ability to prevent the damage caused by oxidation
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Atom
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A discrete, irreducible unit of matter. It is the smallest unit of an element and is identical to all other atoms of that element
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Nucleus
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The positively charged central core of an atom. It is made up of two types of particles - protons and neutrons - bound tightly together. The nucleus of an atom contains essentially all of its atomic mass.
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Electron
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A negatively charged particle attracted to the nucleus of an atom
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Oxidation
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A chemical reaction in which molecules of a substance may be broken down into their component atoms. During oxidation, the atoms involved lose electrons
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Free radical
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A highly unstable atom with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell
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Cofactor
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A compound that is needed to allow enzymes to function properly
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Tocotrienol
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A form of vitamin E that does not play an important biological role in our bodies
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Tocopherol
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The active form of vitamin E in our bodies. Alpha-tocopherols are the forms used to establish human vitamin E requirements.
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Collagen
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A protein found in all connective tissues in our body
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Megadose
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A dose of a nutrient that is 10 or more times as large as the recommended amount
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Pro-oxidant
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A nutrient that promotes oxidation and oxidative cell and tissue damage
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Provitamin
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An inactive form of a vitamin that the body can convert to an active form. An example is beta-carotene.
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Carotenoids
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Fat-soluble plant pigments that the body stores in the liver and adipose tissues. The body is able to convert certain carotenoids to vitamin A
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Retinol
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An active alcohol form of vitamin A that plays an important role in healthy vision and immune function
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