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Medical Glossary
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Medical Glossary "N" through "R"
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N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): This nutrient helps repair oxidative damage in cells, and also helps prevent dysfunction of endothelial cells. It has also been shown to support red blood cell function, eliminate heavy metals, and increase levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
Nattokinase: An enzyme derived from natto, which is a traditional Japanese dish made by boiling or steaming, then fermenting, soybeans. As a blood thinner, natto prevents abnormal clotting and can be used to treat coronary artery disease and prevent heart attack and stroke. Natto contains the highest concentration of vitamin K2 of any food.
Natural killer (NK) cells: Infection-fighting lymphocytes (white blood cells); cytotoxic NK cells help fight tumor formation and viral infection.
Neuroendocrine: Pertaining to the synergistic functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems.
Neuropeptides:Transmitters in nerve tissue composed of two or more amino acids.
Niacin (vitamin B3): This vitamin helps maintain normal function of skin, nerves, and the digestive system. It contributes to energy release from fat, protein, and carbohydrates, and formation of hormones and nerve-regulating substances. It has also been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, help dilate blood vessels, and help treat tinnitus and vertigo.
Nitric oxide: A vasodilatory substance, nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels.
Nor-epinephrine: A catecholamine released during the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response which acts as a stress hormone or neurotransmitter.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR): A highly-accurate, non-invasive laboratory procedure that can be used to measure the energy content of tissue in real time. NMR studies of hearts can measure energy metabolism while the heart is beating.
Nutraceuticals: Concentrated natural components of food or supplements that have medicinal or therapeutic effects.
Obesity: A condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of body fat; body weight is at least thirty pounds over what is considered normal and body fat is at or above 30 percent of total body mass.
Omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA): Refers to the third carbon in the fatty acid molecule, which is unsaturated in the carbon terminal end. The building blocks for “good" eicosanoids, these EFAs are considered anti-inflammatory. Found in fish, nuts, and soy, omega-3s have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as to reduce high blood pressure and sudden cardiac death.
Omega-6 EFA: Refers to the sixth carbon in the fatty acid molecule, which is unsaturated. Omega-6 compounds are found mainly in vegetable oils. There is a high concentration of omega-6 EFAs in processed foods, as well as margarines and multiple oils, resulting in overabundance. Omega-6s can generate both “good” and “bad” eicosanoids.
Omega-9 fatty acid: Refers to the ninth carbon in the fatty acid molecule; omega-9s are also called oleic acid. Omega-9s are monounsaturated fatty acids that are technically not “essential” because they can be produced within the body in small amounts. Found in olive and nut oils, omega-9s do not generate eicosanoids.
Oncologist: A physician who studies, diagnoses, and treats cancerous tumors.
Opiods: Naturally occurring substances in the body, such as endorphins, that act on the brain to decrease the sensation of pain.
Oxidation: Chemical process characterized by the interaction between oxygen and other molecules which results in the loss of electrons. Oxidation occurs during many metabolic processes in the body.
Oxidative stress: A highly deleterious environment within cells where there is an excess of free radicals and a lack of antioxidants, resulting in injury to the tissue. When there is a paucity of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, oxidative stress and accelerated of aging of tissues occur.
Oxidative phosphorylation: The processes in the cell whereby oxygen is used to add phosphate groups to ADP to re-form ATP. The primary oxidative pathways of energy recycling are the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain.
Oxidized LDL: An ominous form of cholesterol that increases inflammation, resulting in plaque formation.
PAMM (Pan-Asian Modified Mediterranean) diet: Dr. Sinatra’s nutritional plan based on the healthiest staples of the typical Asian and Mediterranean diets: anti-inflammatory (low-glycemic with healthy fats), antioxidant-rich, cancer-fighting foods like organic fresh fruits and vegetables, soy, seaweeds, wild cold-water fish, lean poultry, legumes, olive oil, garlic, nuts and seeds. Small amounts of red wine and green tea compliment this diet with cardio-protective polyphenols. Dr. Sinatra recommends that 20-25 percent of daily calories are derived from lean protein, 30-35 percent from healthy fat and 45-50 percent from low-glycemic index carbohydrates (fresh vegetables and whole grains).
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5): In the body, pantothenic acid is converted to coenzyme A, which is used in many biological processes involving the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and protein, and the synthesis of steroids, cholesterol, bile, and hemoglobin. It is also involved in the production of major neurotransmitters.
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS): The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for calming and relaxing the body; the vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that runs from the head to the heart and through the abdominal cavity, supplies most parasympathetic nerve fibers to the organs.
Pectin: A naturally occurring form of fiber, which helps control blood cholesterol levels, maintain balanced blood sugar, and detoxify the colon.
Pentose phosphate pathway (PPP): The metabolic pathway used by the body to make D-ribose. In this pathway, a series of biochemical reactions converts to glucose (a six-carbon sugar) to D-ribose (a five-carbon sugar). This pathway is rate-limited in most tissue, including heart and skeletal muscle, delaying ribose synthesis. Also called the hexose, monophosphate shunt.
Periodontitis: Degeneration or inflammation of dental bones and the surrounding areas as a result of chronic gum disease, poor dental hygiene, or other complications in the mouth.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD): A condition caused by blockage of the arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the skeletal muscles. Frequent cause of intermittent claudication.
Pharmacokinetics: The study of how pharmaceutical drugs and supplements are absorbed into the blood, transported to tissue, and used by cells.
Phthalates: Chemicals usually found in plastic, as well as personal products such as insect repellants, cosmetics, soaps, lotions, food packaging, and cleaning and building materials. Considered toxic, phthalates can detrimentally affect the male reproductive organs, especially when exposed prenatally.
Phytonutrients: Beneficial chemicals found in plants (e.g. lutein, lycopene, carotenoids, flavonoids).
Pituitary: The gland at the base of the brain that controls and regulates most endocrine (hormonal) functions in the body (the pituitary has strong connections with the hypothalamus).
Platelets: Tiny, disc-shaped cell-like structures in the blood that assist with blood clotting by coming together, or aggregating.
Polyphenol: Antioxidant bioflavonoid found in tea, onions, and red wine.
Polyphenol catachins (green tea extract): a bioflavonoid (synergistic with vitamin C) that has antioxidant and anticarcinogen properties, and has shown beneficial effects in treating gingivitis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Polyunsaturated fat: Fatty acids, such as omega-3s and omega-6s, with more than one unsaturated carbon. Polyunsaturated oils freeze at lower temperatures than monounsaturated and saturated oils. Examples of foods containing polyunsaturated fats include salmon, walnuts and sunflower seeds, as well as vegetable oils like corn, soybean and safflower oils.
Potassium: This mineral promotes regular heartbeat, normal muscle contraction, acid-base regulation, and bone formation and maintenance. It also helps maintain water-balance in body tissues and cells, and preserves or restores normal function of nerve cells, the kidneys, and stomach-juice secretion.
Proanthocyanidins: These nutrients are also bioflavonoids that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They also stabilize collagen (a component of connective tissue, skin, and bone), and promote circulation and oxygenation of the blood.
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI): The study of the interrelation of the mind, the nervous and endocrine systems, and the immune system.
Purine nucleotide pathway (PNP): The metabolic pathway used by the body to synthesize adenine nucleotides. Beginning with D-ribose, the PNP forms the energy compound, ATP.
Pycnogenol: This nutrient has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also a bioflavonoid (synergistic with vitamin C) that stabilizes collagen, and also promotes circulation and oxygenation of blood.
Pyruvic acid (pyruvate): A three-carbon compound formed from glucose in glycolysis and used in oxidative phosphorylation to produce cellular energy.
Qi: In Eastern medicine, qi (pronounced “chee”) describes the energy that flows through the body, or the life force. Eastern medicine focuses on promoting the flow of qi in the body, as blockages of qi are said to contribute to the development of disease.
Qi gong: A health practice with Chinese origins, the art of qi gong (pronounced “chee gong”) involves the use of intention, breathing techniques, meditation, relaxation and gentle postures and flowing movements to promote both awareness of qi sensation and flow of qi throughout the body.
Quercetin: This bioflavonoid also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown to help reduce blood stickiness and clumping, improve circulation, and interrupt the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, while also helping to prevent deposits of plaque from forming on the arteries.
Rate-limiting step: Limits the rate at which metabolic processes occur. Synthesis of d-ribose in the body, for example, limits the rate at ATP is generated de novo. Supplementing with d-ribose satisfies the initial step of making ribose to form adenosine, and thus helps speed up de novo ATP formation.
Reactive oxygen species: See Free radicals.
Receptors: Molecules on the surface of cells that bind to specific factors (for example, insulin receptors). Sensitivity of receptors tends to diminish with aging.
Resveratrol: A fat-soluble polyphenolic compound with antioxidant properties, resveratrol is found in red wine (red grapes). Some plants produce resveratrol as a defense against fungal infection, stress, injury, or UV radiation. It can help us prevent sticky blood and help keep our blood vessels clear.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2): This vitamin helps maintain healthy mucous membranes lining the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and excretory tracts (when used in conjunction with vitamin A). It preserves the integrity of the nervous system, skin, and eyes.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA): A genetic compound containing ribose. In animal cells, RNA is used to pass the genetic information used to synthesize proteins. In the cell, RNA is required to maintain constant levels of important proteins, including enzymes.
Ribose: See D-ribose.
© 2010 Heart MD Institute, PA
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