and other organs, and by the adrenal gland into the
bloodstream as part of the fight-or-flight response.
NORMOTENSIVES.Individuals with normal blood
pressure.
NUTRICEUTICAL (ALSO SPELLED NUTRACEUTICAL).
Any substance that is a food or a part of a food and
provides medical or health benefits, including the pre-
vention and treatment of disease. Nutriceuticals
include dietary supplements and meal substitutes like
those recommended by the Warrior diet a well as
fortified foods and functional foods.
NUTRIENT.A chemical compound (such as pro-
tein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, or minerals) that
make up foods. These compounds are used by the
body to function and grow.
NUTRITION FACTS LABEL.Labels affixed to foods
sold throughout the United States. Usually on the
back or the side of the bottle, package, or bag, the
label specifies the amount of calories provided by the
contents as well as the amount of nutrients, vitamins
and supplements.
NUTRITIONIST.A specialist in the field of diet and
nutrition.
NUTRITIVE SWEETENER.Any sweetener that adds
some energy value to food.
O
OBESE.More than 20% over the individual’s ideal
weight for their height and age or having a body mass
index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
OBJECTIVE.Based on facts.OBLIQUES.Types of abdominal muscle.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER.A psychiatric
disorder in which a person is unable to control the
desire to repeat the same action over and over.
OLIGOSACCHARIDE.A carbohydrate that consists
of a relatively small number of monosaccharides, such
as maltodextrins, fructo-oligo-saccharides.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS.Any of several polyunsatu-
rated fatty acids found in leafy green vegetables, vege-
table oils, and fish such as salmon and mackerel,
capable of reducing serum cholesterol levels and hav-
ing anticoagulant properties.
OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS.Polyunsaturated fatty acid
where the first double bond occurs on the sixth
carbon-to-carbon double bond from the methyl end
of the hydrocarbon chain.OMEGA-9 FATTY ACIDS. Polyunsaturated fatty
acids where the first double bond occurs on the ninth
carbon-to-carbon double bond from the methyl end of
the hydrocarbon chain.OMNIVORE.An animal whose teeth and digestive
tract are adapted to consume either plant or animal
matter. The term does not mean, however, that a given
species consumes equal amounts of plant and animal
products. Omnivores include bears, squirrels, opos-
sums, rats, pigs, foxes, chickens, crows, monkeys,
most dogs, and humans.OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION.An infection caused
by a normally harmless organism that causes disease
when the host’s immune system in weakened. Oppor-
tunistic infections are a major problem in the medical
and nutritional care of HIV patients.OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA).The most common form of
arthritis, characterized by erosion of the cartilage layer
that lies between the bones in weight-bearing joints.
OA is also known as degenerative joint disease or
DJD.OSTEOCALCIN.The second most abundant protein
in bone after collagen required for bone mineralization.OSTEOMALACIA.Softening of bone, particularly
bone weakened by demineralization (loss of mineral)
and most notably by the depletion of calcium from
bone. Osteomalacia may be caused by poor dietary
intake or poor absorption of calcium and other miner-
als needed to harden bones. Osteomalacia is a char-
acteristic feature of vitamin D deficiency in adults.OSTEOPENIA.Mild thinning of the bone mass, but
not as severe as osteoporosis. Osteopenia results when
the formation of bone is not enough to offset normal
bone loss. Osteopenia is generally considered the first
step to osteoporosis.OSTEOPOROSIS.Thinning of the bones with reduc-
tion in bone mass due to depletion of calcium and bone
protein. Osteoporosis predisposes a person to fractures,
which are often slow to heal and heal poorly. It is more
common in older adults, particularly post-menopausal
women; in patients on steroids; and in those who take
steroidal drugs. Unchecked osteoporosis can lead to
changes in posture, physical abnormality (particularly
the form of hunched back known colloquially as
‘‘dowager’s hump’’), and decreased mobility.Glossary