Acid reflux:

Acid reflux is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (see lower esophageal sphincter for definition) relaxes and allows acidic stomach contents up into the esophagus, causing pain, pressure, burning, and discomfort in the chest and sometimes causing tissue damage. Acid reflux also may be referred to as heart burn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Anti-inflammatory:

An anti-inflammatory is a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance that prevents, counteracts, or minimizes inflammation (see inflammation for definition) in the body.

Antioxidant:

An antioxidant is a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance that prevents, counteracts, or minimizes oxidation (see oxidation for definition) in the body.

Anti-proliferative:

An anti-proliferative is a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance that prevents, counteracts, or minimizes proliferation (see proliferation for full definition), the rapid growth and division of cells in the body.

Apoptosis:

Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a necessary and important part of a healthy cell’s life cycle and prevents damaged cells from continuing to grow and divide. Damaged cells that continue to grow and divide may lead to the development of cancer. Damaged cells that undergo apoptosis – programmed (planned) cell death – do not lead to cancer.

Apple Peel:

The apple peel is the skin or outermost layer of an apple that surrounds the flesh. Apple peels, which come in a variety of colors ranging from pink to red to green, are considered a highly nutritious portion of the apple and contain a wide variety of healthy vitamins and phytonutrients (see phytonutrients for definition).

Arthritis:

Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints in which inflammation causes pain, stiffness, and limitation of normal joint motion. Osteoarthritis occurs with age, due to accumulated damage over the lifetime and commonly affects people over age 65. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease (see autoimmune disease for definition) and tends to be more severe, lead to greater disability, and to occur at a younger age.

Autoimmune disease:

An autoimmune disease is caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues, cells, or molecules, leading to damage and inflammation (see inflammation for definition).

Bioactive:

Bioactive refers to a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance with the ability to have an effect on living tissue. In order for a substance to have bioactivity beyond the digestive tract, it must be able to be digested, absorbed, and transported throughout the body to other tissues.

Bioavailable:

Bioavailable refers to the extent to which a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance, such as a vitamin, mineral, phytonutrient (see phytonutrient for definition) or drug is absorbed and circulated in the body.

Cancer:

Cancer refers to abnormal cells in the body that no longer respond to the signals for normal growth and division. Cancer cells can grow out of control and may have the ability to continue living indefinitely (immortality), even when damaged in a way that should cause cell death.

Cardiovascular disease:

Cardiovascular disease refers to any medical condition that affects the heart and blood vessels and includes atherosclerosis (coronary heart disease – hardening and blockage of the arteries – leading to heart attacks), stroke (cerebrovascular disease), and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Cholesterol:

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that is carried in the blood and is found throughout the body including in the nervous system, skin, muscles, liver, intestines, blood vessels, and heart. High density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C is considered “good” cholesterol. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C, is considered “bad” cholesterol. High levels of LDL-C increase risk for cardiovascular disease (see cardiovascular disease for definition).

COX-2 inhibitor:

A cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor is a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance that blocks or impedes the action of COX-2, an enzyme (see enzyme for definition) made by the body that can promote inflammation (see inflammation for definition). Some medications are COX-2 inhibitors, and phytonutrients (see phytonutrients for definition) may be natural COX-2 inhibitors as well.

DAPP:

DAPP is dried apple peel powder. DAPP is created by drying and powdering organic apple peels in a patented process that retains and improves the bioavailability (see bioavailable for definition) and bioactivity (see bioactive for definition) of the nutrients found in fresh apple peel.

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to properly regulate blood glucose levels. Type-1 diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells (see insulin for definition) of the pancreas are destroyed in an autoimmune (see autoimmune disease for definition) process. Type-2 diabetes occurs when the cells of the body no longer respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced, and often is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors including obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. High blood glucose levels increase the risk of many chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Flavonoids:

Flavonoids are a group of pigmented (colorful), naturally occurring phytonutrients (see phytonutrient for definition) that can have antioxidant (see antioxidant for definition), anti-inflammatory (see anti-inflammatory for definition), and anti-proliferative (see anti-proliferative for definition) actions in the body.

Free radicals:

Free radicals are unstable substances or molecules that are very reactive and can attack other molecules, cells, or tissues of the body. Free radicals can cause oxidation (see oxidation for definition), leading to damage in the body. Free radicals also may be called reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Enzyme:

Enzymes are substances, most commonly proteins, that are produced by the body and used to drive or speed up the chemical reactions necessary for normal cell function. Without enzymes, normal cell functioning cannot occur.

Hormone:

A substance that is produced and released by cells in one part of the body that can travel to and affect other body cells and tissues.

Inflammation:

Inflammation is the body’s response to a variety of insults, such as infection, injury, and irritation. The origin of the word inflammation means “to set on fire”. Acute inflammation occurs as a reaction to injury or infection and typically is associated with pain, heat, and/or swelling. Chronic inflammation is a low-grade process that can occur at all times in the body and may contribute to a range of diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, and auto-immune conditions.

Insulin:

Insulin is a hormone (see hormone for definition) produced by the pancreas that is necessary for glucose to enter cells in the body. Glucose, a simple carbohydrate, is the fuel that the body uses for energy. A lack of insulin in the body or a failure of the body to respond normally to insulin causes diabetes (see diabetes for definition).

Lower Esophageal Sphincter:

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle at the base of the esophagus that opens to allow food to pass into the stomach, but closes to prevent stomach contents from rising back up into the esophagus. When the LES is not functioning properly, acid reflux (see acid reflux for definition) can result.

ORAC:

Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) is a commonly used laboratory test which measures the antioxidant (see antioxidant for definition) activity of a natural or synthetic (man-made) substance. The higher the ORAC number or score, the higher the antioxidant activity of the substance being tested. ORAC often is used to compare antioxidant activity among foods and nutrients.

Organic:

Organic is used to describe foods that are grown and produced without conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sludge, ionizing radiation, food additives, or synthetic (man-made) chemicals.

Oxidation:

The breakdown of another substance by oxygen or that occurs with the assistance of oxygen. Rusting is an example of oxidation in the environment. Oxidation also can occur in the body.

Oxidative stress:

An imbalance in the body in which destructive substances, called free radicals (see free radical for definition) can build up, leading to cell and tissue damage. Both endogenous (made by the body) and exogenous (antioxidants obtained from food) antioxidants can help decrease free radicals and return the body to oxidative balance.

Phytochemicals:

Phytochemicals are plant chemicals. Phyto=plant, meaning that phytochemical can be translated directly as “plant chemical”. Phytochemicals include all of the naturally occurring substances in plants, such as vitamins, antioxidants (see antioxidant for definition), flavonoids (see flavonoids for definition), polyphenols, and carotenes. Phytochemicals and phytonutrients generally are used interchangeably.

Phytonutrients:

Phytonutrients are plant nutrients. Phyto=plant, meaning that phytonutrient can be translated directly as “plant nutrient”. Phytonutrients include all of the naturally occurring substances in plants, such as vitamins, antioxidants (see antioxidant for definition), flavonoids (see flavonoids for definition), polyphenols, and carotenes. Phytonutrients and phytochemicals generally are used interchangeably.

Polyphenols:

Polyphenols are a large group of pigmented (colorful), naturally occurring phytonutrients (see phytonutrient for definition) that can have antioxidant (see antioxidant for definition), anti-inflammatory (see anti-inflammatory for definition), and anti-proliferative (see anti-proliferative for definition) actions in the body. The polyphenols include both flavonoid (see flavonoid for definition) and non-flavonoid compounds. Emerging science indicates that dietary polyphenols may be important for good long-term health.

Proliferation:

Proliferation is the growth and division of cells in the body. Proliferation may refer to the rapid spread and increase in the number of cells, as what can occur in uncontrolled cellular growth leading to cancer development.

Quercetin:

Quercetin is a naturally-occurring plant compound found in foods such as apples and tea. Quercetin is a flavonoid (see flavonoid for definition) and is thought to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in the body.