physical well being. Diseases and disorders result from
imbalances in qi, and treatments such as massage,
exercise, acupuncture, nutritional and herbal therapy
is designed to restore balance and harmony to the
body.
TRANQUILIZER.Medicine that reduces anxiety and
tension.
TRANSFATTY ACIDS.Monounsaturated or polyun-
saturated fats where the double bonds create a linear
formation. They are formed largely by the manufac-
ture of partial hydrogenation of oils, which converts
much of the oil intotransfat. Hydrogenated fats and
transfats are often used interchangably.
TRANSFERRIN.A protein synthesized in the liver
that transports iron in the blood to red blood cells.
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA).A neurological
event with the signs and symptoms of a stroke, but
which go away within a short period of time. Also
called a mini-stroke, a TIA is due to a temporary
lack of adequate blood and oxygen (ischemia) to the
brain. This is often caused by the narrowing (or, less
often, ulceration) of the carotid arteries (the major
arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain).
TIAs typically last 2 to 30 minutes and can produce
problems with vision, dizziness, weakness or trouble
speaking.
TRANSVERSE ABDOMINIS.A muscle layer of the
wall of the abdomen.
TRAVELER’S DIARRHEA (TD).A nonspecific term for
a form of diarrhea that frequently affects tourists
abroad. TD is the most common illness affecting visi-
tors to other countries. Some cases of TD are caused
byG. lamblia, but others result from infection with
various bacteria, rotaviruses, and other intestinal
parasites.
TRIGLYCERIDE.A fat that comes from food or is
made up of other energy sources in the body. Elevated
triglyceride levels contribute to the development of
atherosclerosis.
TRITICALE.A man-made hybrid plant that com-
bines wheat and rye and that produces a higher protein
flour.
TROPHOZOITE.The active feeding stage in the life
cycle ofG. lamblia. It is the trophozoites that multiply
within the small intestine and cause the diarrhea and
other symptoms of giardiasis.
TROPICAL SPRUE.A condition of unknown cause
whereby abnormalities in the lining of the small intes-
tine prevent the body from absorbing food normally.
This disease is not associated with gluten enteropathy.
It has been associated with travel and residence in
tropical areas.
TRYPTOPHAN.An amino acid that plays a role in
the manufacture of serotonin.
TUBER.Swollen plant stem below the ground.
TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR.A substance that is part
of an inflammatory system and used as a marker to
measure inflammation.
TURMERIC.A perennial herb of the ginger family
used as a coloring agent as well as a spice in food
preparation. It is used in some traditional Ayurvedic
medicines for the relief of joint pain and inflammation.
TYPE II DIABETES.Inability to regulate the level of
sugar in the blood due to a reduction in the number of
insulin receptors on the body’s cells.U
ULCERATION.Formation of ulcers on a mucous
membrane accompanied by pus and necrosis of sur-
rounding tissue.
ULCERATIVE COLITIS.Inflammation of the inner
lining of the colon, characterized by open sores that
appear in its mucous membrane.
UNDERNUTRITION.Food intake too low to main-
tain adequate energy expenditure without weight loss.
UNSATURATED FAT.Fat that help to lower blood
cholesterol; olive and canola oils are monounsatu-
rated fats; fish, safflower, sunflower, corn, and soy-
bean oils are polyunsaturated fats.
URBAN LEGEND.A story, anecdote, or piece of
advice based on hearsay and circulated by person-to-
person transmission.
URIC ACID.An acid found in urine and blood that
is produced by the body’s breakdown of nitrogen
wastes.
UROLOGIST.A physician that specializes in disor-
ders of the urinary tract and male genitals.V
VANILLIN.A synthetic version of vanilla flavoring.
VASODILATOR.A substance that causes blood ves-
sels the body to become wider allowing the blood to
flow more easily.Glossary