Anorexia - Anorexia is a loss of the desire to eat. The term can be used medically as a symptom of many illnesses. It is more commonly used to describe a psychological disorder of self-induced starvation in an effort to become thin.

Auto-Immune Disorder - A disorder or disease that results in an immune (ability to fight disease) reaction produced by an individuals white blood cells (cells used to fight infection) acting on the body's own healthy tissue.

Blood Pressure - Pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries when the heart pumps the blood through the body.

BMI (Body Mass Index) - A measurement of the ratio of fat and muscle mass in the human body, when the weight is divided by the height squared and the result is an index to gauge the level of obesity. There are several good on-line BMI calculators if you type Body Mass Index into a reliable search engine.

Bulimia - A chronic eating disorder where a person "binges" on large amounts of food in a short period of time and then "purges" what they consumed by either self-induced vomiting, taking heavy doses of laxatives and diuretics (water pills), exercise or any combination of these methods.

Carbohydrate - An organic compound made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are essential in a balanced diet for energy. Carbohydrates are found in breads, cereals, grains, vegetables and fruits. Plants produce Carbohydrates through photosynthesis which is the process of turning water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates using sunlight as energy.

Type 1 Diabetes - A metabolic disorder when the body does not properly metabolize carbohydrates and sugars. This disease typically appears in childhood or adolescence. Usually a patient experiences extreme thirst, frequent urination, and has high sugar levels in their urine and blood. Many patients are insulin-dependent.

Type II Diabetes - A mild form of diabetes (a metabolic disorder when the body does not properly metabolize carbohydrates and sugars) that usually has initial onset in adulthood and is generally associated with risk factors such as inactivity and obesity. Many patients are able to control this disease through diet and exercise.

Diet - The simplest definition is food and drink. The term diet is also used to describe a prescribed course of consuming certain foods and drink at certain times in predetermined amounts with the advice of a medical professional for the management of an illness or to lose weight.

Eating Disorder - A psychological disorder that impairs normal eating behavior, overeating, anorexia, and bulimia are examples of eating disorders.

Fat - Various soft, solid, or semisolid, organic compounds consisting of fatty acids and their associated organic groups. Fats in the diet are used for a number of things but should be used wisely and in moderation. Common fats in a balanced diet are found in butter, margarines, and various oils, often provides a short-term feeling of fullness.

Fiber - Plant matter that cannot be digested; also called roughage. Fiber causes intestinal peristalsis (the movement of waste through the intestine) and produces a feeling of "fullness" when eating.

Fibromyalgia - An autoimmune disorder when there is chronic pain in the soft tissues, surrounding joints, fatigue and tenderness at very specific sites in the body. This illness is also characterized by extreme feelings of fatigue and malaise.

Gastrointestinal - Having to with or involving the digestive system which includes but is not limited to the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

Health - The overall soundness of mind and body; freedom from disease or abnormality.

Hyperglycemic - A very high concentration of glucose (sugars) in the blood.

Hyperlipidemia - A very high concentration of fat in the blood.

Hypertension - Chronically high blood pressure

Hypoglycemia - A very low concentration of glucose (sugars) in the blood.

Malabsorption - Poor absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal system despite a well-balanced or highly nutritional diet. Malabsorption is frequently seen in gastrointestinal diseases and often oral or intravenous supplements can be used to correct the problem.

Malaise - A generalized feeling of "ill-health" or not feeling "well", often with feelings of discomfort at the beginning or during the course of an illness.

Mineral - Non-organic elements that have a crystal -like structure, color and hardness. Minerals are necessary in the body for normal growth and activities in the body, some examples of common minerals are calcium, iron, zinc, and sodium, and they are commonly found in a well-balanced diet.

Nutrition - The consumption of food and how the body uses the food for growth, energy, and healing of damaged tissues. Nutrition involves digestion of food, absorption, storage and use of nutrients, and excrement of waste through urine or bowel movements.

Obesity - Increased body weight caused by an excessive accumulation of fat.

Protein - Essential nutrient for the growth and repair of tissue in the body. Commonly found in meat, fish, eggs, legumes (beans), and dairy products.

Renal Disease - Any disease or disorder that affects the kidneys.

Vitamin - Organic substances that are fat or water soluble and essential in very small amounts in the body needed for normal growth and activity. Vitamins are best obtained naturally in plant and animal foods but sometimes artificial supplements are needed.