Digestive System & Nutrition Flashcards
celiac disease (sprue)
immune system attacks gluten
cholera
causes diarrhea
an infection of the small intestine
amebic dysentery
type of dysentery caused by amoeba
causes diarrhea
gastric ulcers
ulcer in the stomach
erosion of lining of stomach
may bleed or perforate (hole forms through entire wall of stomach
cirrhosis
excess accumulation of fat
caused by alcohol, excessively fatty diet, or genetics
scarring of the liver
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
hepatitis A
from contaminated water or food
hepatitis B
from sexual contact, blood, contaminated needles
hepatitis C
from infected blood, contaminated needles
polyp
a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum
can become cancerous tumors (why you need to get a colonoscopy)
colonoscopy
a diagnostic test to detect colon cancer
a long tube is threaded through the entire colon
BMI
evaluates your weight in relation to your height
provides an estimation of body fat
BMI > 30 is usually considered unhealthy and an indication of obesity
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
the minimum calories (energy) needed to keep the resting body working
vitamins
organic compounds needed in small quantities, but essential for health and growth
usually functions as co-enszymes
water soluble: vitamin C & various vitamin Bs
fat soluble: vitamin A, D, E, and K
our cells cannot make vitamins (except for vitamin D)
essential amino acids
9 remaining amino acids that the body cannot synthesize
must be supplied by the diet
make up 10-35% of total calories in an adequate diet
essential fatty acids
make up 20-35% of total calories in an adequate diet
ex: Alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega 6)
cholesterol
increases risk of atherosclerosis
the structural basis of steroids
synthesized by our bodies
complementary proteins
combinations of incomplete proteins from two or more plan sources that together supply ample amounts of all the essential amino acids important in vegetarian diets
examples of incomplete protiens
nuts and seeds
legumes (beans)
grains
malabsorption syndrome
when food is not properly absorbed from the small intestine
lactose intolerance, celiac disease
anorexia
deliberate self starvation
an obsessive fear of gaining weight due to a distorted self-image
bulemia
binge eating and then throwing it all up
GMO (genetically modified organisms) pros/cons
PROs: increases nutritional value, increases product yield
CONs: possible long-term human health risk, development of resistance to pesticide, kills beneficial insects, spread of genes to wild species, increased use of herbicides, further promotion of monoculture
What happens to amino acids if we take in more than the body needs to build proteins?
the excess amino acids are removed as waste
