MALTOSE.A disaccharide known as malt sugar.MEGACOLON.A condition in which the colon
becomes stretched far beyond its usual size. Children
with long-term constipation may develop megacolon.
MENINGITIS.A serious infection of the membranes
surrounding the brain.
MENOPAUSE.Phase in a woman’s life during which
ovulation and menstruation end.
METABOLIC.Refers to the chemical reactions in
living things.
METABOLIC RATE.The BMR adjusted by an activ-
ity factor with the Harris-Benedict Formula to deter-
mine total daily energy expenditure in calories or
kilojoules.
METABOLIC SYNDROME.A group of risk factors
related to insulin resistance and associated with an
increased risk of heart disease. Patients with any
three of the following five factors are defined as having
metabolic syndrome: waist circumference over 102 cm
(41 in) for men and 88 cm (34.6 in) for women; high
triglyceride levels in the blood; low levels of HDL
cholesterol; high blood pressure or the use of blood
pressure medications; and impaired levels of fasting
blood glucose (higher than 110 mg/dL).
METABOLIC SYNDROME X.Also called the insulin
resistance syndrome or pre-diabetic syndrome. The
syndrome is closely associated with hypertriglyceride-
mia and with low HDL-‘‘good’’ cholesterol.
METABOLISM.The process by which food is con-
verted into energy.
METABOLIZE.To produce the chemical changes in
the body’s living cells that provide energy for vital
processes and activities.
METABOLOME.All of the metabolites found in the
cells and fluids of the body under specific dietary and
physiological conditions.
METALLOENZYME. An enzyme that contains a
tightly bound metal ion, such as cobalt, copper, iron
or zinc.
METHIONINE.A crystalline amino acid found in
many protein foods. It is sometimes taken as a supple-
ment during a detox diet.
METRECAL.The first product marketed as an LMR
for weight reduction, introduced in 1960 by Mead
Johnson.
MICROFLORA.This term describes the collection of
small micro-organisms, such as bacteria , that colo-
nize the gastrointestinal tract (gut).MICRONUTRIENT.Nutrients needed by the body in
small amounts. They include vitamins and minerals.MICROORGANISM.Bacteria and protists; single-
celled organisms.MINERAL.An inorganic substance found in the
earth that is necessary in small quantities for the
body to maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper,
iron.MITOCHONDRIA.Small bodies within a cell that
harvest energy for use by the cell.
MITRAL VALVE.A heart valve, also called thebicus-
pid valve which allow blood to flow from the left
auricle to the ventricle, but does not allow the blood
to flow backwards.MOLECULAR WEIGHT. The total of the atomic
weights of the atoms in a molecule.MONO DIET.A type of detoxification diet based on
the use of only one food or beverage. Some versions of
the grapefruit diet are essentially mono diets.MONO-AMINE OXIDASE INHIBITOR.Aclassofanti-
depressant drugs that act by blocking an ezyme that
destroys some of the hormones in the bRain. These
drugs have a large number of food and drug interactions.MONOSACCHARIDE.Any of several carbohydrates,
such as glucose, fructose, galactose, that cannot be
broken down to simpler sugars.MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE.MSG; sodium gluta-
mate; a salt derived from glutamic acid that is used to
enhance the flavor of foods.MONOUNSATURATED FAT.A fat or fatty acid with
only one double-bonded carbon atom in its molecule.
The most common monounsaturated fats are palmi-
toleic acid and oleic acid. They are found naturally in
such foods as nuts and avocados; oleic acid is the main
component of olive oil.MORBID OBESITY.A term used to describe indivi-
duals 100 lb (45 kg) or more than 50% overweight
and/or who have a body mass index above 40.MTHFR.Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase; an
enzyme that regulates folic acid and maintains blood
levels of homocysteine.MUCILAGE.A sticky substance used as an adhesive.
A gummy substance obtained from certain plants.Glossary