Exercise Electrocardiogram (ECG) Stress Test: A test
used to measure how the heart responds to physical effort. It
usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedalling a stationary
bike while the heart and blood pressure are monitored. It is used
to identify heart problems, check the effectiveness of heart
medications and help people plan a safe exercise program.
Fat: The most concentrated source of calories in a diet.
While fat is an important part of a healthy diet, too much fat,
especially saturated fat, can increase the risk of obesity, heart
disease and stroke.
Fibre: The part of food that cannot be digested and used for
energy. Diets high in fibre may help prevent some common
diseases. High-fibre foods include whole grains, fruits and
vegetables, legumes and nuts.
Folic Acid: One of the B vitamins, necessary for the creation
of new cells and the maintenance of existing ones. It occurs
naturally in liver, legumes and leafy, green vegetables and is
added to many vitamin supplements and some foods such
as cereals.
Gangrene: The death or decay of body tissues, usually due
to loss of blood supply to the affected area, which may be
followed by bacterial infection.
Glucose: A simple form of sugar that acts as fuel for the
body. It is produced during digestion of carbohydrate and
carried in the blood to the body’s cells.
Glycemia: The level of glucose in the blood.
Glycemic Index: A scale that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods
by how much they raise blood glucose levels.
Hormone: A substance produced in one part of the body that
is released into the bloodstream and travels to other organs
or tissues where it acts to change their structure or function.
For example, insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas
that travels throughout the body and affects the ability of cells
and tissues ability to use glucose for energy. Other hormones
control growth and development, reproduction, and
sexual characteristics.
Human Insulin: A synthetic form of insulin created in the
1990s using recombinant-DNA technology.
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