force. Free weights, weight machines, resistance
bands, or a person’s body weight can be used in resis-
tance training.
RESVERATROL. A natural compound found in
grapes, mulberries, peanuts and red wine that may
protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.RETINA.The layer of light-sensitive cells on the
back of the eyeball that function in converting light
into nerve impulses.
RETINOL.Also known as vitamin A. This is a fat
soluble vitamin found in animal food sources.
RETROVIRUS.A single-stranded virus that repli-
cates by reverse transcription to produce DNA copies
that are incorporated into the genome of infected cells.
AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.RH FACTOR.Rh factor is a subset of blood type it
may be either positive or negative.
RHEUMATISM.A painful condition of the joints or
muscles.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA).An autoimmune dis-
order that can affect organ systems as well as the
joints. It is much less common that OA but is poten-
tially much more serious.RHEUMATOLOGIST.A physician, usually a pedia-
trician or internist, who has additional specialized
training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
that affect the bones, muscles, and joints.
RHIZOME.An underground creeping stem.
RIBONUCLEIC ACID (RNA).A molecule that helps
decode genetic information (DNA) and is necessary
for protein synthesis.RICKETS.The softening of the bones in children
leading to fractures and deformity, caused by Vitamin
D deficiency.
ROME CRITERIA.A set of guidelines for defining
and diagnosing functional dyspepsia and other sto-
mach disorders, first drawn up in the mid-1980s by a
group of specialists in digestive disorders meeting in
Rome, Italy. The Rome criteria continue to be revised
and updated every few years.S
SALT.In chemistry, an ionic crystalline compound
of positively charged ions and negatively charged ions
such that the product is neutral (without a net charge).SATIETY.The quality or state of feeling comforta-
bly full. It is sometimes used as a criterion for evaluat-
ing people’s satisfaction with diets or diet products.SATURATED FAT.Fats found in animal products
and in coconut and palm oils that are a major dietary
cause of high LDL.SATURATED FATTY ACID.A fatty acid molecule with
no double bonds, known to be detrimental to health
when consumed in large amounts.SCHIZOPHRENIA.A mental illness in which the
person suffers from distorted thinking, hallucinations,
and a reduced ability to feel normal emotions.SCLERODERMA.An autoimmune disease with many
consequences, including esophageal wall thickening.SCURVY.A deficiency disease caused by a lack of
dietary vitamin C, characterized by spongy gums,
eventual loss of teeth, and bleeding into the skin and
mucous membranes.SEBACEOUS GLANDS.Small glands in the skin,
usually part of hair follicles, that produce a fatty sub-
stance called sebum.SEBUM.The fatty substance secreted by sebaceous
glands. It helps moisturize and protect skin and hair.SEDATIVE.Medicines that increase drowsiness and
calmness.SELENOCYSTEINE.Unusual amino acid consisting
of cysteine bound to selenium. The process of inserting
selenocysteine into proteins is unique to cysteine, and
occurs in organisms ranging from bacteria to man.SELENOPROTEIN.Enzyme that requires selenium to
function. At least eleven have been identified.SEROTONIN.Chemical used by nerve cells to com-
municate with one another.SERTRALINE.An antidepressant drug sold under
the brand name Zoloft.SERUM.The clear fluid part of the blood that
remains after clotting. Serum contains no blood cells
or clotting proteins, but does contain electrolytes.SERUM CHOLESTEROL.Cholesterol that travels in
the blood.SET POINT.In medicine, a term that refers to body
temperature, body weight, or other measurements that
a human or other organism tries to keep at a particular
value. The Shangri-la diet is said to work by lowering
the dieter’s set point for body weight.Glossary