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(Click on the underlined words below for more information) |
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Adaptogen
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Derived from mostly from plants, adaptogens normalize the functions of the body, irrespective of the direction of the pathological change. They have been reported to enhance the immune response and to increase resistance to stress.
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Adenosine Triphospate (ATP)
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ATP is the molecule that stores the energy used for all forms of biological work.
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Adjuvant
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Treatment given after the primary treatment, to make original treatment work better. In anti-aging medicine, it would include treatments such as supplementation, hormone enhancement, dietary practices, exercise and stress management techniques.
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Adrenaline
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Secreted by the adrenal glands, this hormone produces the “fight of flight” response. Also called epinephrine.
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Adrenals
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A pair of small glands, one located on top of each kidney. They consist of an inner layer (medulla) surrounded by an outer layer (cortex). The medulla produces the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine that help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. The major hormones of the cortex are 1) cortisol and corticosterone which are critical to life by virtue of their effects on carbohydrate and protein metabolism 2) aldosterone which is vital to maintaining sodium and potassium balance, and 3) androgens and estrogens and their precursors such as pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
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Aerobic Capacity
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The body’s ability to utilize oxygen to produce energy within a given time. The decline of aerobic capacity that occurs with the aging process can be reversed through regular aerobic exercise.
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Atrophy
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Decrease in size and functional ability of tissues or organs.
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Arginine
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"An amino acid, essential only during growth and conditions that result in persistent inflammation. It can stimulate the the release of insulin and growth hormone. Arginine supplementation has also been associated with reduced hospital stays after major operations.
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Arjun
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An herb used in Ayuvedic medicine to prevent hypertension and angina
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Alpha Linoleic Acid
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An omega 6 fatty acid. It is an "essential" polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbons and 2 double (unsaturated) bonds. It is important in the production of prostaglandins which are hormone-like compounds. Linoleic acid is also important in the structure, function and flexibility of cell membranes, a healthy immune system, for growth and reproduction. Fish oils have a high concentration of this fatty acid, but vegetables, soy beans and nuts can supply all that is needed for an anti-aging diet. It takes the equivalent of only 2 teaspoons of corn oil to supply the needed amount of essential fatty acids for an adult in an otherwise totally fat-free diet.
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Anti-aging Diet
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A diet specifically formulated to increase longevity. Very briefly, it is includes, but is not limited to the following: 50% of the calories as carbohydrates, 20% as protein and 30% as fat. The carbohydrates are mainly complex, the protein largely from plant sources, and the fats included being more monounsaturated than polyunsaturated than saturated. There is a minimum of 5 daily servings of vegetables and fruits. Whole foods (such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole fruit as opposed to juices) are preferred to refined foods such as products made from white flour, simple sugars (sucrose, fructose) and trans-fatty acids (partially hydrogenated oils).
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Antibody
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A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen.
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Antigen
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A substance (usually a protein, polysaccharide, or something more complex) that evokes a specific immunologic response, including the production of antibodies.
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Antioxidant
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A compound that reduces oxidative damage which leads to aging. Antioxidants reduce oxidative damage by 1) reacting chemically with compounds which already have free radicals, converting them into a harmless form, or 2) by preventing the formation of the oxidized compounds. Excellent sources of antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. An example of a compound which causes damage because it has free radicals is oxidized cholesterol. Vitamins A, C and E, are examples of antioxidants. Preparations such as grape seed extract are concentrated forms of antioxidants. The current average American diet and exposure to environmental hazards increase our need for antioxidants.
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Arteriosclerosis
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This is a disease in which fatty deposits build up inside your arteries leading to premature death. For most people, this is a preventable disease governed by lifestyle choices.
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Ascorbic Acid
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Another name for Vitamin C
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Aerobic Exercise
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Activities that use large muscle groups and that are continuous and rhythmic in nature that permit the body to use oxygen to supply energy and to maintain a steady state for more than a few minutes. Examples of aerobic exercise are walking, jogging, swimming, cross-country skiing or bicycling. An aerobic exercise program is one of the 5 pillars of the e anti-aging program.
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Alpha Carotene
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A carotene found in red- and orange-colored foods. It is a powerful anti-oxidant.
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Anabolic Steroids
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A group of synthetic testosterone-like hormones that promote anabolism, including muscle building. Their use in athletics is considered unethical and carries numerous serious health risks.
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Alpha Tocopherol
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The most common chemical form of Vitamin E, an antioxidant. Alpha tocopherol provides more than twice the amount of Vitamin E activity of other tocopherols. Dietary sources of vitamin E include plant oils such as soybean, corn, and sunflower, leafy green vegetables, nuts and wheat germ.
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Amino Acids
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Organic compounds containing nitrogen. They are the building block for proteins. Twenty two amino acids are necessary for metabolism and growth, but only 11 are “essential” (indispensable) because they cannot be made by the body, and must be supplied in the food eaten.
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Anaerobic Exercise
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Exercise at high intensities that exceed the body’s capacity to supply energy thereby creating an oxygen debt and buildup of lactic acid. Anaerobic exercise stimulates the release of growth hormones.
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Anaerobic or Lactate Path
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This is the pathway by which ATP is produced without oxygen and at a high rate from carbohydrate (glycogen) stored within the muscles. Lactic acid is a by-product of this reaction, and causing fatigue as it accumulates. ATP from the anaerobic pathway empowers intense exercise for only 1-3 mins (eg. 400-800 meter runs, 100 meter swimming, boxing)
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Aloe Vera
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This is a plant used to derive a gel which has many healing properties.
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Adrafinil
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A drug that mimics Norepinephrine. It is used to improve alertness. Adrafinil may decrease the neurophysiology and clinical features of cerebral aging.
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Apoptosis
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A normal series of events in a cell which lead to its death.
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Aerobic or Oxygen System
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This biochemical pathway produces ATP at a slower rate than the anaerobic pathway. The aerobic pathway uses Fatty Acids and Carbohydrates as fuel so that it represents an enormous potential source of energy. The body supply of fats and carbohydrates for exercise are more than enough for 5 continuous days of exercise. Oxygen is required, however, which is why aerobic capacity, or oxygen utilization capacity is important. Developing your aerobic capacity enables you climb a flight of stairs without puffing. For athletes, the aerobic system is the main provider of ATP in events lasting more than 3 minutes. In such events as the marathon, the aerobic system becomes by far the main provider of ATP.
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Alpha Linolenic Acid
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An omega 3 fatty acid. It is an "essential" polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbons and 3 double (unsaturated) bonds. It is important for the structure and function of cell membranes, particularly those of the retina of the eye and the central nervous system. It is a precursor to prostaglindins such as PGE1 and is important for modifying inflammatory reactions. Excellent sources of alpha linolenic acid include walnuts, soybeans, spinach, mustard greens, and flaxseed, canola and evening primrose oils. Fish sources include salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna and others. With the increased emphasis on polyunsaturated fats, the proportion of alpha linolenic acid to linoleic has been decreased to 1 to 10 when the recommended proportion is 1 to 3.
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Encyclopedia
