Resveratrol- Resveratrol is a phytoalexin (a class of antibiotic compound produced as a part of a plant's defense system against disease) produced by several plants. A number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and life-prolonging effects have been reported. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes. The resveratrol content of wine is related to the length of time the grape skins are present during the fermentation process. Thus the concentration is significantly higher in red wine than in white wine, because the skins are removed earlier during white-wine production. Grape juice, which is not a fermented beverage, is not a significant source of resveratrol. The health-food industry is claiming that resveratrol is the wine component responsible for the "French Paradox" which describes the phenomenom of the relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease in southern France despite high dietary intake of saturated fats.
Obesity - Obesity involves having an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Doctors define obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and overweight as having a BMI of 25 or higher.
Fat is important for storing energy and insulating your body, among other functions. The human body can handle carrying some extra fat, but beyond a certain point, body fat can begin to interfere with your health. Excessive body weight has been shown to predispose you to various diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. Ultimately, obesity can even be life-threatening. In the United States, more than 300,000 deaths are linked to obesity annually.
Eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity are the main causes of obesity, especially in combination. But many factors can contribute to obesity such as: genetics, psychological factors, age, pregnancy, medications, medical problems, and alcohol consumption.
The good news is that losing even modest amounts of weight can lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, improve glucose control in diabetes, and improve signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and sleep apnea. Even if you are considered obese by BMI standards, you will begin to experience health improvements by reducing your weight by only 5% to 10%. This may not seem like much but it is a good place to start. You should continue to lose weight through dietary change and increased physical activity. The bottom line is that fad diets do not work. Slow and steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off.
Dietary fiber - Dietary fiber is technically any food item that cannot be broken down by enzymes in the small intestine, and thus is transferred to the colon. Fiber is not food for us, it is food for the bacteria that live mainly in the last five feet of your gastrointestinal tract, the colon. Bacteria live in our body from the moment we are born, until we die. Our current low fiber diet is literally starving the bacteria and disrupting the delicate balance within us. Sources of dietary fiber are usually divided into categories of "insoluble" and "soluble". To conceptualize insoluble and soluble fibers, consider the segments of a potato-thick skin covering a moist inside. The skin is an example of an insoluble fiber source, whereas the moist interior is a soluble fiber source. Current recommendations suggest that adults consume 20-35 grams of dietary fiber per day, but the average American's daily intake of dietary fiber is only 14-15 grams. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends trying to get most of your dietary fiber from food. Some sources of soluble fiber include oats, rye, barley, and some vegetable such as carrots and broccoli. Some sources of insoluble fiber include whole wheat, wheat and corn bran, and vegetables such as green beans, cauliflower, celery and the skins of some fruits. Fiber supplements are also an option.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - LDL is commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol" due to the link between high LDL levels and cardiovascular disease. LDL is a lipoprotein particle that carries fatty acid molecules, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, around the body. How does LDL cause harm? When the inner lining of an artery is damaged, the body rushes to patch it up, using bad cholesterol carried by LDL as plaster. During this patching up process, LDL triggers the immune system which attracts white blood cells. The resulting patch of cholesterol and white blood cells encourages a blood clot to form. LDL reduction has been the most effective strategy for reducing cardiovascular death rates.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - HDL is a class of lipoproteins commonly referred to as the "good cholesterol". It acts as the spatula of the arterial system, removing cholesterol built up inside the arteries and returning it to the liver. High concentrations of HDL can protect against cardiovascular disease. HDL can be boosted through lifestyle changes such as increasing aerobic exercise, losing weight, and quitting smoking.
Flexitarian - People who want to eat healthier but not by giving up their favorite foods. This means reaping the benefits of a plant-based diet without becoming a full-fledged vegetarian. Red meat, poultry, and fish remain. Flexitarianism is a helpful term for people who want to be flexible yet healthful about what they eat.
Metabolism - The biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. This includes the biosynthesis of complex organic molecules (anabolism) and their breakdown (catabolism). Metabolism usually consists of sequences of enzymatic steps, also called metabolic pathways. The total metabolism are all biochemical processes of an organism. The cell metabolism includes all chemical processes in a cell. The term is derived from the Greek word for "change", or "overthrow" (Etymonline).
Omega-3 fatty acids- Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in oil from oily fish and vegetable sources such as the seeds of chia, perilla, flax, walnuts, purslane, lingonberry, seabuckthorn, and hemp. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in the fruit of the acai palm. Omega-3 fatty acids are classified as essential because they cannot be synthesized in the body; they must be obtained from food.
