GLOSSARY

Allergy: Defensive responsive of the body to "foreign elements." Includes symptoms of cold, asthma, etc.

Aneurism: Distension of blood vessels; may cause rupture or leakage of blood.

Antioxidants: Chemicals which combines with oxygen and free radicals to prevent fats and oils from becoming oxidized or rancid. Example include vitamins A, C, E, B-1, B-5, B-6, the amino acid cysteine, the food antioxidants BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and minerals such as selenium and zinc. Antioxidants help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Arachidonic Acid: An unsaturated, 20-carbon long, omega-6 fatty acid is the principal precursor to eicosanoids (such as prostaglandins) which cause narrowing of blood vessels and blood clotting. Found in vegetable oils, mainly peanut oil. Several fatty acids in the body convert to arachidonic acid.

Arginase: Enzyme which enhances the infection-fighting ability of the body's defense system (macrophages).

Arteriosclerosis: Diseases characterized by thickening and loss of the elasticity of arterial walls, comprising three distinct forms: atherosclerosis, Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis.

Atherocyte (Atheroma): A mass or plaque of degenerated, thickened arterial lining occurring in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis: An extremely common form of arteriosclerosis in which deposits of yellowish plaque (atheromas) containing cholesterol and other lipids are formed within the wall of the arteries, mainly that of heart, brain and legs causing heart attacks, angina pains, strokes, and poor blood circulation.

Carcinogens:Cancer producing substances such as a chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, free radicals, or viruses.

Carcinoma: Cancerous tissue growth.

Cardiovascular system: Pertaining to heart and blood vessels.

Cell wall: The outer structure of the cell.

Coronary artery: The blood vessels supplying blood to heart.

Cyclooxygenase: The enzyme required for the conversion of fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid, to eicosanoids. Many anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, act by inactivating this enzyme. Omega-3 fatty acids react with cyclooxygenase enzyme to produce less harmful eicosanoids.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): An unsaturated, 22-carbon long, omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in fish and marine plants. Most commercial fish oil preparations contain 12 percent DHA. Considered important for brain and eye development, especially in children.

Eicosanoids: Hormone-like substances formed mainly by arachidonic acid, an omega-6 acid; two main types of eicosanoids are prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Eicosanoids control blood pressure, blood clotting, body's infection fighting ability, allergic responses, etc.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): An unsaturated, 20-carbon long, omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and marine plants. Most commercial fish oil preparations contain 18 percent EPA. Considered as the major reason for the beneficial effects of fish oils. Acts by producing eicosanoids which are beneficial to the body.

Essential Fatty Acids: The fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize but needs for normal metabolism. These include linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. Also termed as vitamin F. Deficiency of essential fatty acids, a rare occurrence, causes skin diseases.

Fatty Acids: Long chain carbon acidic compounds found frequently in nature, they could be saturated or unsaturated. They also act as a precursor to various eicosanoids.

FDA: The Food and Drug Administration, a regulatory authority of the U.S. government which approves and regulates the distribution of drugs and foods.

Free radicals: Highly activated and charged forms of molecules which interact rapidly with body tissues causing cancer and atherosclerosis.

High density lipids (HDL or VHDL): Mixture of triglycerides, cholesterol and other fats and proteins. Generally considered to be beneficial to heart. Heavier than water, by 6 to 28 percent.

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE): An eicosanoid which controls many body functions including the body immune defense system.

Hypertension:

High blood pressure:

Immune response:Defensive response of body to "foreign elements."

Inflammation: A localized protective response to destroy, or dilute or wall off (sequester) both the injurious agent and the injured tissue. Examples include arthritis, swelling upon injuries, etc.

Inuits: People who eat raw fish, refers to Eskimos.

Low density lipids (LDL): Mixtures of triglycerides, cholesterol and other fats and proteins (less than HDL). Generally considered extremely dangerous to heart. Weigh less than water.

Lipids: Chemicals which are insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform and other fat solvents and which have a greasy feel. These include fatty acids, neutral fats, waxes, cholesterol, steroids and phosphatides.

Lipoproteins: Combined forms of lipids and proteins; makes lipids more water soluble and dispersible in blood.

Lipooxygenase: The enzyme responsible for converting fatty acids to eicosanoids such as HETEs and LTs.

Leukotrienes (LT): Eicosanoids which control many body systems such as the body's defense mechanism.

Macrophage: Any large cell with the ability to engulf other cells, generally found in the walls of the blood vessels. They are usually immobile but when stimulated by inflammation they become actively mobile and move throughout the body.

Marine Lipid Concentrate: Fish oil obtained from fish generally by a cold process of squeezing the fish. Most commercial preparations contain 18 percent EPA and 12 percent DHA.

Omega-3: Refers to the third carbon in the fatty acid molecule which is unsaturated, counting from the carbon terminal end. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, marine plants, and some terrestrial plants.

Omega-6: Refers to the sixth carbon in the fatty acid molecule which the unsaturated, counting from the carbon terminal end. Omega-6 are found mainly in vegetable oils.

Oxidation: Addition of oxygen to a chemical structure. In oils, oxidation causes rancidity, which is a possible cause for the carcinogenesis of oils.

Polyunsaturated: Fatty acids with more than one unsaturated carbon. Polyunsaturated oils freeze at lower temperatures than the monounsaturated and saturated oils and fats and are preferred to reduce risk of heart disease.

Prostacyclines (PGI): A type of prostaglandins (PGs) produced by the lining of the artery; decrease blood clotting and expand blood vessels resulting in reduced plaque formation and blood pressure.

Prostaglandins (PGs): Eicosanoids produced from arachidonic acid. PGs stimulate contraction of uterus and other muscles, lower blood pressure and assist in the action of certain hormones. First found in semen, they have been found in arterial lining, menstrual fluid and other body tissues.

Saturated Fatty Acids: Fatty acids with saturated structure. Found in all fats, particularly animal fats. Highly dangerous to body health, causing atherosclerosis.

Steroids: Lipid of high molecular weight, serve as precursor for various vitamins and hormones. Examples include vitamin D, cholesterol, etc.

Thromboxane (THX): A type of eicosanoid which causes clotting of blood and increases stickiness of platelets. The thromboxane produced from omega-3 fatty acids is devoid of any activity.

Triglycerides: Common fat. Made up of three molecules of fatty acid and one molecule of glycerol. Part of all blood lipids, especially, the low density types, which are particularly harmful to the body.

Ultra low density lipids (ULDL): Also called chylomicrons. Very large in size and of fluffy characteristics.

Very high density lipids (VHDL): Consist mainly of proteins and fatty acids.

Very low density lipids (VLDL): Much lighter-than-water fraction of blood lipids, highly dangerous to health.