Author: Glossary

An iron-carrier protein, found in large amounts in liver and spleen, and also at low concentrations in serum which can be measured as an index of iron stores in the body. However, it is also sensitive to the acute phase reaction: its concentration in serum increases markedly during infection or inflammation. An iron-protein complex (a…

The formation of hydroxyl radical (OH) from hydrogen peroxide reacting with iron (II) or copper (I) ions in a process first observed by Fenton in 1894.  

Substances that provide a creamy, fat-like texture used to replace or partly replace the fat in a food. Made from a variety of substances with lower energy content. A substance that tastes like fat or acts like fat in food preparation, but has fewer calories.  

Fats that are esters of fatty acids with glycerol, triacylglycerols. Compounds of the higher fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, and oleic) with glycerol. They are the common fats of animal and plant tissues.  

Going without food. The metabolic fasting state begins some 4 hours after a meal, when the digestion and absorption of food is complete and body reserves of fat and glycogen begin to be mobilized. Choosing not to eat anything or a particular food item for a specified period of time. Frequently associated with religious observances…

Founded in 1943; headquarters in Rome. Its goal is to achieve freedom from hunger worldwide. According to its constitution the specific objectives are ‘raising the levels of nutrition and standards of living and securing improvements in the efficiency of production and distribution of all food and agricultural products’; website http://www.fao.org. Established in 1945, the main…

Body waste, composed of undigested food residues, remains of digestive secretions that have not been reabsorbed, bacteria from the intestinal tract, cells, cell debris and mucus from the intestinal lining, and substances excreted into the intestinal tract (mainly in the bile). Solid waste matter passed from the bowels through the anus. Faeces, or stools, consist…

Oxidation products of lipids which are considered to be useful indices of oxidative damage, e.g. by oxygen free radicals.