Healthy Life Info

Daily Value (DV) - information provided on food labels. These are reference values set up by the FDA to explain the nutritive value of food, so that consumers know what they are eating. DV`s are comprised of two sets of standards - DRV`s and RDI`s.


Hamstrings - The group of 3 muscles at the back of the thigh that extend from the lower region of the hip bone to just below the knee joints. They enable an individual to bend the knees and, in conjunction with the `glutes`, un-flex the legs from the hips.


Basophils - white blood corpuscles that, when joined to immunoglobulin E antibodies secrete histamine (a chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction) or other bodily chemicals that produce a hypersensitive reaction to a foreign body.


Pectin - a naturally-occurring thickening agent found in ripe fruit. It is a vital ingredient in making jams and jellies. Some fruits contain large quantities of pectin (for example, citrus fruits, blackberries, apples, and red currants), but others have low pectin levels (for instance, cherries and strawberries), so lemon juice is added to those jams or jellies to help them gel.


Controlled Experiment - a controlled situation. In this sort of research, test participants (whether animal or human) are picked according to applicable qualities, and then randomly assigned to either an experimental group (that will receive the experimental treatment), or assigned to a control group (that will not be given the experimental treatment). Such random assignment makes certain that parameters known as variables, which may have an impact on the results of the study, are apportioned equally among the groups and therefore cannot result in differences in the effect of the treatment being tested. The experimental group is then given a treatment (sometimes referred to as an intervention), and the findings are evaluated against the control group, which gets no treatment. A placebo (an inactive substance resembling the test medication and given for psychological effect), or other inactive treatment, may be given to this group. With all other variables controlled, discrepancies between the experimental and control may be credited to the treatment under study.


Crunch - abdominal exercise designed to isolate the abs while, concurrently, eliminating unnecessary movement from the iliopsoas (the muscle group that bends the hips and lessening the risk of exerting too much pressure on the lower back. This exercise is the favored workout for abdominal training over sit-ups.


Nutrition - (i) the ingestion and use of food and other nourishing material by the body; (ii) the study of the organic process by which an organism assimilates and uses food and liquids for normal functioning, growth, and maintenance.


Osteoporosis - a condition affecting the bones, where there is a decrease in bone density and mass, the pores in bones enlarge, and the bones generally get frail. This condition often fails to be recognized as such until there is a fracture on slight trauma, most commonly in the wrist, spine, or hip. The NOF (National Osteoporosis Foundation) reports that approximately 1,500,000 such fractures occur each year within the USA, at a projected annual cost of $18,000,000,000 in 2002.


Methylcellulose - several gelatinous chemical compounds, produced from methyls (water-resistant chemicals) and cellulose. It is found in jellies and fruit butters (such as apple butter) and acts as an emulsifier to prevent such products from separating into their constituent liquids.


Health - the absence of disease or injury, along with physical, mental, and social well-being.


CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) - A type of fatty acid present in a few meat products and cheeses, which may supply the health advantage of improving body composition and reducing the threat of certain cancers.


Vastus Intermedius Lateralis and Medialis - 3 of the 4 muscles of the thigh that make up the quadriceps. Firm and toned quadriceps help protect the knees. The rectus femoris is the 4th muscle of the quadriceps. Running and hiking downhill, cycling, and skiing give these muscles a good workout.