GLOSSARY
A
ABDOMEN.Part of the body that extends from the
chest to the groin.
ABDOMINAL CAVITY.The hollow part of the body
that extends from the chest to the groin. It is located
between the diaphragm, which is the thin muscle
below the lungs and heart, and the pelvis, the basin-
shaped cavity that contains the reproductive organs,
bladder, and rectum. The abdominal cavity contains
the abdominal organs.
ABSCESS.A pocket of pus formed by an infection.ABSORPTION.Uptake by the digestive tract.ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE (ADI).The level of a
substance that a person can consume every day over
a lifetime without risk. The ADIs for artificial sweet-
eners are very conservative measurements.
ACCEPTABLE MACRONUTRIENT DISTRIBUTION RANGE
(AMDR).A range of intakes for a particular energy
source that is associated with reduced risk of chronic
disease while providing adequate intakes of essential
nutrients. An AMDR is expressed as a percentage of
total energy intake.
ACESULFAME POTASSIUM.A calorie-free artificial
sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K,
and marketed under the trade names Sunett and
Sweet One. Acesulfame potassium is 180-200 times
sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), as sweet as aspar-
tame, about half as sweet as saccharin, and one-quar-
ter the sweetness of sucralose. Like saccharin, it has a
slightly bitter aftertaste, especially at high concentra-
tions. Kraft Foods has patented the use of sodium
ferulate to mask acesulfame’s aftertaste. Alternatively,
acesulfame K is often blended with other sweeteners
(usually sucralose or aspartame)
ACIDOPHILUS.Bacteria found in yogurt that, when
ingested, helps restore the normal bacterial popula-
tions in the human digestive system.
ACIDOSIS.Excessive acidity of body fluids due to
accumulation of acids.
ACNE VULGARIS.An inflammatory disease of the
skin characterized by pimples and cysts that may cause
scarring in severe cases.
ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS).
HIV infection that has led to certain opportunistic
infections, cancers, or a CD4+ T-lymphocyte (helper
cell) blood cell count lower than 200/mL.
ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA.A genetic dis-
order resulting from the impaired uptake and trans-
port of zinc in the body.
ACUTE RETROVIRAL SYNDROME (ARS).A syndrome
that develops in about 30% of HIV patients within a
few weeks of infection. ARS is characterized by nau-
sea, vomiting, fever, headache, general tiredness, and
muscle cramps.
ACUTE. Acute means sudden or severe. Acute
symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is
the opposite of chronic.
ADHD.The combination of inattentive, hyperac-
tive and impulsive behavior that are severe, develop-
mentally inappropriate and impair function at home
and in school. Common features include mood swings,
anxiety, impulsivity, hostility, poor concentration and
sleep problems as well as physical complaints such as
stomach aches, headaches and migraines.
ADIPOSE TISSUE.A type of connective tissue that
contains stored cellular fat.
ADRENALINE.Hormone produced by the adrenal
glands that increases heart and respiration rates.
AEROBIC EXERCISE. Moderate intensity exercise,
done over a long duration, that uses oxygen. Aerobic