J
JAUNDICE.A condition in which bilirubin, a waste
product caused by the normal breakdown or red blood
cells, builds up in the body faster than the liver can
break it down. People with jaundice develop yellowish
skin and the whites of their eyes become yellow. The
condition can occur in newborns and people with liver
damage.
JEJUNUM.The section of the small intestine located
between the duodenum and the ileum.
K
KASHIN–BECK DISEASE.A disorder of the bones and
joints of the hands and fingers, elbows, knees, and
ankles of children and adolescents who slowly develop
stiff deformed joints, shortened limb length and short
stature. The disorder is endemic in some areas of east-
ern Siberia, Korea, China and Tibet.
KESHAN’S DISEASE.A potentially fatal form of car-
diomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle).
KETOACIDOSIS.A condition due to starvation or
uncontrolled Type I diabetes. Ketones are acid com-
pounds that form in the blood when the body breaks
down fats and proteins. Symptoms include abdominal
pain, vomiting, rapid breathing, extreme tiredness,
and drowsiness.
KETONE.Chemicals produced by fat breakdown;
molecule containing a double-bonded oxygen linked
to two carbons.
KETOSIS.An abnormal increase in the number of
ketone bodies in the body, produced when the liver
breaks down fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies.
Ketosis is a common side effect of low-carbohydrate
diets or VLCDs. If continued for a long period of time,
ketosis can cause serious damage to the kidneys and
liver.
KIDNEY DIALYSIS.A process where blood is filtered
through a dialysis machine to remove waste products
that would normally be removed by the kidneys. The
filtered blood is then circulated back into the patient.
This process also is called renal dialysis.
KIDNEY STONES.A small, hard mass in the kidney
that forms from chemical deposits. Kidney stones
can be extremely painful and are often difficult to
diagnose.
KILOJOULE.1,000 joules; a unit equivalent to 0.239
calories.
KINASE.An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of
phosphate groups from high-energy phosphate-con-
taining molecules, such as ATP, to another molecule.
KREBS CYCLE.Cellular reaction that breaks down
numerous nutrients and provides building blocks for
other molecules.
KWASHIORKOR.Severe malnutrition characterized
by swollen belly, hair loss, and loss of skin pigment.L
LACTO-OVO VEGETARIAN.People who do not eat
meat, but do include dairy products and eggs in their
diets.
LACTOSE.Milk sugar; a disaccharide sugar present
in milk that is made up of one glucose molecule and
one galactose molecule.
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE.A condition in which the
body does not produce enough lactase, an enzyme
needed to digest lactose (milk sugar). Ovolactovege-
tarians with lactose intolerance often choose to use soy
milk, almond milk, or other milk substitutes as sources
of protein.
LACTOVEGETARIAN.A vegetarian who uses milk
and cheese in addition to plant-based foods.
LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE APPROACH.An approach
to reading instruction based on activities and stories
developed from personal experiences of the learner.
LANOLIN. A greasy substance extracted from
wool, often used in hand creams and other cosmetics.
LAPAROSCOPIC.Pertaining to a surgical procedure
which uses an instrument which can be inserted into
the body to view structures within the abdomen and
pelvis.
LARGE INTESTINE.The terminal part of the diges-
tive system, site of water recycling, nutrient absorp-
tion, and waste processing located in the abdominal
cavity. It consists of the caecum, the colon, and the
rectum.
LAXATIVE.A substance that stimulates movement
of food through the bowels. Laxatives are used to treat
constipation.
L-CARNITINE.A molecule in muscle that is respon-
sible for transporting fatty acids across mitochondrial
membranes; obtained from meat and milk.Glossary