PSYLLIUM.Fleawort; plants of the genusPlantago
whose seed husks have laxative activity.
PUBERTY.A stage of physiological maturity that
marks the start of being capable of sexual reproduction.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM.Lodging of a blood clot in
the lumen (open cavity) of a pulmonary artery, caus-
ing a severe dysfunction in respiratory function. Pul-
monary emboli often originate in the deep leg veins
and travel to the lungs through blood circulation.
Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, chest
pain (worse with breathing), and rapid heart and
respiratory rates.
PULSES.Peas, beans and lentils are collectively
known as pulses. The term is reserved for crops har-
vested solely for the dry grain, so excludes green beans
and green peas.
PURGING.A behavior associated with eating dis-
orders that includes self-induced vomiting and abuse
of laxatives as well as diuretics.
PURINES.Substances in DNA that can be metabo-
lized into uric acid.
PURSLANE.A broad-leafed plant native to India,
commonly considered a weed in the United States.
Purslane has the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids
of any leafy vegetable, however, and is eaten fresh in
salads or cooked like spinach as part of the Cretan
diet.
PYCNOGENOL.Trade name of a commercial mix-
ture of bioflavonoids (catechins, phenolic acid, proan,
thocyanidins) that exhibits antioxidative activity.
Q
QUERCETIN.A natural compound which belongs
to a group of plant pigments called flavonoids that are
largely responsible for the colours of many fruits,
flowers, and vegetables. They have many health-pro-
moting benefits that may protect against cancer and
cardiovascular disease.
QUINOA.A species of goosefoot that originated in
the high Andes and is raised as a food crop for its
edible seeds, which have an unusually high protein
content (12–18 percent). Quinoa is considered a
pseudo-cereal rather than a true cereal grain because
it is not a grass.
R
RACEMIC.A chemical term, relating to the way a
compound turns a bean of light. Racemic com-
pounds are composed of equal amounts of left turn-
ing and right turning molecules. Molecules which
turn a beam of light to the right aredextrorotatory
while those which turn a beam to the left are
levorotatory.RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL.A drug that is radioac-
tive. It is used for diagnosing or treating diseases.RANCID.Having a bad or ‘‘off’’ smell or taste as a
result of oxidation.
RAW FOODISM.A term that refers to a group of
dietary regimens composed entirely of foods that have
not been raised above a certain temperature. Many
raw foodists are vegans, although some eat raw meat
or fish and use unpasteurized dairy products.
REACTIVE NITROGEN SPECIES (RNS).Highly reactive
chemicals, containing nitrogen, that react easily with
other molecules, resulting in potentially damaging
modifications.
REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS).Damaging mole-
cules, including oxygen radicals such as superoxide
radical and other highly reactive forms of oxygen
that can harm biomolecules and contribute to disease
states.RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCES (RDA).The
average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to
meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (approxi-
mately 98 percent) healthy individuals.RECTUM.Short, muscular tube that forms the low-
est portion of the large intestine and connects it to the
anus.
REGURGITATIONAL VALVULAR HEART DISEASE.A
type of damage to the heart valves which allows blood
to leak back through the valve.
RENNET. An enzyme used to coagulate milk,
derived from the mucous membranes lining the sto-
machs of unweaned calves.RESERVOIR.A term used for animals that can carry
parasites that cause disease in humans without falling
ill themselves. Beavers, dogs, cats, cattle, and horses
are common reservoirs ofG. lamblia.RESISTANCE TRAINING. Also called strength or
weight training, this type of exercise increases muscle
strength by working the muscles against a weight orGlossary