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Medical Glossary
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Medical Glossary "I" through "M"
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Inflammation: A localized protective response attempting to destroy or neutralize an injurious agent. Chronic inflammation can also cause injury to the surrounding tissue. Coronary heart disease is now thought to be a response to inflammation.
Inositol: This nutrient is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, which are essential to the digestion and absorption of fats, facilitates the uptake of fatty acids by the cells, and regulates the transport of materials in and out of cells.
Inotropic agents: Pharmaceutical agents designed to increase the contractile force of the heart, i.e. make the heart beat more strongly.
Insulin: A hormone that drives incoming nutrients (i.e. glucose) into cells for storage; excess insulin is a cause of inflammation, weight gain, and other diseases like diabetes.
Insulin resistance: A condition in which cells no longer respond well to insulin. As a result, the body chronically secretes more insulin into the bloodstream in an effort to reduce blood sugar levels.
Integrative medicine: Medical treatment which combines the best of conventional and alternative practices to treat the “whole” patient: body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6): Proinflammatory cytokine released in response to infection, IL-6 is a protein which stimulates the liver to produce C-reactive protein (CRP).
Ischemia (cardiac insufficiency): A term referring to restriction in blood flow to a tissue or organ, including the heart and skeletal muscles. In ischemic conditions, tissue cells are not able to get enough oxygen from the blood to maintain normal aerobic metabolism.
Isoflavone: A phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) primarily found in soybeans.
Iodine: A mineral which promotes normal function of the thyroid gland. It also keeps skin, hair, and nails healthy, and promotes normal cell function.
Krebs cycle: A metabolic pathway occurring in the cell’s mitochondria that converts food (fuel) to energy. In the Krebs cycle, electrons are removed from food fuels and passed to the electron transport chain to further the energy recycling process. Also called the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the citric acid cycle.
L-arginine: This amino acid helps stimulate the release of human growth hormone (HGH) and is important for muscle metabolism. It has also been shown to help fight physical and mental fatigue, help enhance immune function, help produce collagen, and aid in the detoxification of ammonia.
L-carnitine: An amino acid derivative used by the cell to transport food (fuel) across the mitochondrial inner membrane for delivery into the Krebs cycle. L-carnitine is used in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and transport of other fuels into the mitochondria. Also used to detoxify the mitochondria to enhance oxidative metabolism.
L-glutathione: This amino acid makes a large portion of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant enzyme. It has also been shown to help with intestinal detoxification.
L-lysine: This amino acid assists in the formation of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes, which are all necessary for the repair of damaged connective tissue. Also, it helps develop bones by assisting it the metabolism of calcium from the digestive tract, and by assisting in the formation of collagen.
LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol: Lipoprotein molecule that transports cholesterol synthesized in the liver to cells throughout the body. Cells in need of cholesterol, e.g. to make hormones or cell membranes, will display LDL receptors on their outer membranes. LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol because too much of it circulating in the bloodstream can lead to strokes and heart attacks. The real problem occurs when unneeded LDL comes into contact with free radicals and oxidizes, leading to inflammation, then possibly unstable arterial plaques and life-endangering blood clots.
Lecithin: Lecithin is a lipid used by every cell in the body. It helps maintain healthy nerve and brain cells and prevent certain cardiovascular diseases by protecting the body from a buildup of fat in the arteries and organs.
Leukotrienes: Compounds produced by the arachidonic acid pathway, and that produce inflammatory changes in the body.
Lipids: Neutral fats, fatty acids, waxes,or steroids used by the body to make cellular structures as well as for fuel; lipids dissolve in alcohol, and not in water. Triglycerides and cholesterol are examples of lipids found in the body.
Lipoprotein: The means by which the body transports cholesterol (a fatty substance) through blood or water in the body. A lipoprotein molecule consists of cholesterol enveloped in protein. While low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol molecules, known as “bad” cholesterol, transport cholesterol synthesized in the liver to cells that need it, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as “good” cholesterol, transports excess cholesterol out of cells and arterial walls so that it can be excreted with digestive wastes.
Lipoprotein A [Lp(a)]: A small cholesterol particle that causes inflammation and clogging of blood vessels; specifically, Lp(a) is one LDL molecule chemically bound to an attachment protein called apolipoprotein(a). In a healthy body, Lp(a) circulates and carries out repair and restoration work within damaged blood vessel walls. In the presence of atherosclerosis, however, Lp(a) can promote the deposition of circulating oxidized LDL into the arterial wall, thus contributing to the buildup of plaque and formation of blood clots.
Lipoprotein particle profile (LPP) test: A cholesterol test a physician can perform to assess cardiovascular risk. LPP testing measures amounts of the cholesterol particle remnant lipoprotein (RLP), which is an inflammatory factor.
Low-glycemic: Foods that are broken down into glucose less quickly than high glycemic foods and enter the bloodstream at a much slower rate. Low glycemic foods are associated with less fluctuations of insulin & blood glucose than are high glycemic foods.
Lutein: A carotenoid found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Concentrated in the macula, lutein protects eyes against oxidative stress.
Lycopene: This carotenoid is derived from red fruits and vegetables, and has been shown to be useful for prostate function. It has also believed to help prevent cardiovascular disease as well as cancers of the prostate and gastrointestinal tract.
Macronutrients: Nutrients the body uses in large amounts; foods that contain calories. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are the macronutrients found in food.
Macrophages: The scavenger white blood cells of the immune system, macrophages help destroy protozoa, bacteria, and tumor cells, as well as stimulate activity of other immune cells.
Magnesium: A mineral needed for bone growth and maintenance, as well as carbohydrate and protein utilization. It aids the function of the nerves and muscles, including regulation of heart rhythm, blood pressure and body temperature.
Manganese: A mineral that promotes normal growth and development, as well as normal cell function. It also acts as a coenzyme for many different enzymes.
Melatonin: This hormone is mainly known for its ability to regulate the body's sleeping/waking cycle, but it is also a powerful antioxidant and immune stimulant.
Metabolic syndrome (syndrome X): A condition in which the body’s rate of metabolism is altered as a result of chronically high insulin levels. Symptoms of metabolic syndrome include decreased HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure, high insulin levels, and weight gain, especially around the abdomen (apple, rather than pear, shape).
Metaplasia: Process by which cells cells go from normal to abnormal, often a forerunner of cancer.
Methionine: Methionine is a strong antioxidant as well as a source of organic sulfur. It helps prevent excessive accumulation of fats in the liver and vascular system, detoxify heavy metals and toxins, and protect against the effects of radiation on the body.
Micronutrients: Nutrients the body utilizes in smaller amounts; vitamins and minerals the body needs for metabolic processes.
Mindfulness: A consciousness-raising state of awareness achieved through the practice of meditation; experiencing reality for what it is, rather than operating on automatic pilot.
Mitochondria: Subunits of cells in which energy is produced. Mitochondria are known as the cell’s energy powerhouses. Oxidative pathways of energy recycling reside in the mitochondria. Each heart cell may contain as many as 5,000 mitochondria.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): DNA found in the mitochondria that carries the genetic code for proteins making up metabolic pathways of oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial DNA have no intrinsic defense mechanism against free radicals.
Molybdenum: A mineral which promotes normal growth and development as well as normal cell function. It is also part of an enzyme that converts nucleic acid to uric acid, which is a waste product eliminated in the urine.
Monounsaturated fats: Produced by plants, these are the healthiest fats. With a lower number of hydrogen atoms, they tend to liquify at room temperature.
Myocardial infarction: See Heart attack.
Myocyte: Heart muscle cell.
© 2010 Heart MD Institute, PA
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