MUCOSA.Lining of the digestive tract. In the
mouth, stomach, and small intestine, the mucosa con-
tains glands that produce juices to digest food.MUCUS. Thick, viscous, gel-like material that
functions to moisten and protect inner body surfaces.MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.A chronic degenerative dis-
ease of the central nervous system in which gradual
destruction of myelin occurs in patches throughout the
brain or spinal cord, interfering with the nerve path-
ways and causing muscular weakness, loss of coordi-
nation and speech and visual disturbances.MYOGLOBIN.Oxygen storage protein in muscle.MYPYRAMID.A guide of what to eat each day
created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture based
on the 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans.N
NARCISSISM.Excessive admiration of one’s self.NARCOTIC.An agent that causes insensibility or
stupor; usually refers to opioids given to relieve pain.NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.A private, non-
profit society of scholars with a mandate to advise the
United States government on scientific and technical
matters.NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS FOUNDATION (NOF).
The USA’s leading voluntary health organization
solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health.NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS SOCIETY (NOS).The only
UK national charity dedicated to eradicating osteo-
porosis and promoting bone health in both men and
women.NATIONAL WEIGHT CONTROL REGISTRY (NWCR).
The largest prospective study of long-term successful
weight loss. The NWCR is tracking over 5,000 indi-
viduals who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off
for at least one year.NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE.An alternative system
of healing that uses primarily homeopathy, herbal
medicine, and hydrotherapy and rejects most conven-
tional drugs as toxic.NATUROPATHY.A system of disease treatment that
emphasizes natural means of health care, as water,
natural foods, dietary adjustments, massage and
manipulation, and electrotherapy, rather than con-
ventional drugs and surgery. Naturopaths(practitioners of naturopathy) often recommend juice
fasts as a way of cleansing the body.NAUSEA.Unpleasant sensation in the gut that pre-
cedes vomitingNEPHRONS.A tiny part of the kidneys. Each kid-
ney is made up of about 1 million nephrons, which are
the working units of the kidneys, removing wastes and
extra fluids from the blood.NEPHROTIC SYNDROME.A disorder marked by a
deficiency of albumin (a protein) in the blood and its
excretion in the urine.NERVINE.An agent that calms nervousness, ten-
sion or excitement.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.The brain, spinal cord, and
nerves that extend throughout the body.NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS.Neural tube defects are
serious birth defects that involve incomplete develop-
ment of the brain, spinal cord and/or protective cover-
ings for these organs.NEUROGENIC BLADDER.An unstable bladder asso-
ciated with a neurological condition, such as diabetes,
stroke or spinal cord injury.NEUROPATHY.Condition of weakness affecting
the nervous system.NEUROTOXIC.A substance that has a specific toxic
effect on the nervous system.NEUROTRANSMITTER.One of a group of chemicals
secreted by a nerve cell (neuron) to carry a chemical
message to another nerve cell, often as a way of trans-
mitting a nerve impulse. Examples of neurotransmit-
ters include acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and
norepinephrine.NONNUTRITIVE SWEETENER.Any sweetener that
offers little or no energy value when added to food.NONPOLAR.Without a separation if charge within
the molecule; likely to be hydrophobic.NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
(NSAIDS).A class of drugs commonly given to treat the
inflammation and pain associated with both RA and
OA. NSAIDs work by blocking prostaglandins, which
are hormone-like compounds that cause pain, fever,
muscle cramps, and inflammation. Some NSAIDs are
prescription drugs while others are available in over-
the-counter (OTC) formulations.NOREPINEPHRINE.Hormone released by the sym-
pathetic nervous system onto the heart, blood vessels,Glossary