Glossary of Terms

For less than what you might spend for lunch each month, you could feed your bones, heart, and mood every day with Encora—a prescription nutritional supplement.

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	Amino Acids
	The building blocks of proteins in our bodies. Homocysteine is an amino acid that may play a role in coronary heart disease or stroke when present at high levels in the blood.
	Antioxidants
	Naturally occurring compounds, such as vitamin E or vitamin C, thought to protect and repair cells in the body from the damaging effects of oxidation. Oxidation is a process that can damage cells within the body and has been linked to the development of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
	Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
	Any disease of the heart or blood vessels, including coronary heart disease (CHD), in which fatty deposits on the arteries block blood flow to the heart, potentially leading to a heart attack.
	Cholesterol
	A soft, waxy substance found among fat in the bloodstream and in a body’s cells. Too much cholesterol in the blood is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.
	DHA/EPA
	Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are two types of omega-3 fatty acids and are found primarily in cold-water fish. Medical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of heart disease and incidences of heart attacks and strokes. Omega-3s (polyunsaturated fats) also help build cell membranes, may increase the number of connections between neurons in the brain, and may boost levels of serotonin.[25] An increase in the brain chemical serotonin, as well as neuron connections, may result in happier moods.
	Endothelial function
	The endothelial cells play a key role in regulating blood flow. Endothelial cells line blood vessels in the heart and elsewhere and produce substances that prevent blood clots and vessel clogging by plaque. When the endothelial cells do not work properly, the arteries can harden and an individual with this condition becomes more susceptible to heart attacks or strokes.[18]
	Folic acid
	Folic acid is a B vitamin that occurs naturally as folate in some foods such as leafy greens. In recognition of the importance of folic acid, food manufacturers have begun fortifying bread, cereal, butter, and other products with this essential nutrient. Folic acid may improve endothelial function.[13] Folic acid is also well known as a critical product to take during pregnancy to protect against neural tube defects such as spinal bifida. [2] Additionally, low folate levels have been found in depressed patients, and adding folic acid has been shown to improve responses to anti-depressant therapy.[58]
	Fracture
	A fracture occurs when a hairline crack forms in a bone or the bone breaks completely into two or more pieces.
	Free radicals
	A free radical is an unstable molecule that is missing a particle known as an electron. Free radicals can be harmful because, in order to stabilize themselves, they take an electron from a nearby molecule, which creates another free radical. This process repeats itself and can cause a chain reaction that may ultimately disrupt the function of a living cell and increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Antioxidants can neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals by providing the missing electron and thereby protecting the stable molecules.
	HDL
	High-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol away from arteries. It is believed that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques, slowing their growth. HDL cholesterol is sometimes referred to as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level indicates a greater risk of CVD.
	Homocysteine
	Homocysteine is an amino acid that is related to a higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other conditions when present in elevated levels. Evidence suggests that high levels of homocysteine damage the inner lining of arteries and promote blood clots, which may promote atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in blood vessels).[2]
	LDL
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries. A blood clot that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flow to part of the brain, a stroke results.
	Mood Fluctuations
	According to the National Center for Health and Wellness, mood fluctuations can be understood as variations in behavior that leave an individual emotionally drained and that interfere with the normal functioning of everyday life.
	Myocardial infarction (MI)
	A heart attack. Blood is obstructed from flowing through the coronary artery, causing death of heart tissue. The immediate cause of a MI is usually a buildup of plaque or a blood clot.
	Omega-3 essential fatty acids
	A type of essential or “good” fat that the body can’t synthesize by itself (or can't synthesize efficiently) and must derive from food. A polyunsaturated fat, omega-3s are known to be important to human health. Two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are found primarily in cold-water fish (See also DHA/EPA). Canola, walnut, flaxseed, and their oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted to omega-3 fatty acids by the body. Medical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of heart disease and incidences of heart attacks and strokes, and additional evidence supports their role in fighting depression.[12,15,25]
	Osteoporosis
	A medical condition typified by weakened, porous bones that are prone to fracture. Healthy bone is made of cells that are either breaking down or forming. If breakdown outpaces formation, the bone ends up with numerous little holes. For strong, healthy bones, the body needs calcium and vitamin D, among other nutrients.[2,11]
	Placebo
	Also known as a “sugar pill,” placebos can also be a powder or liquid. Placebos are used in experiments to determine a potential treatment’s safety and effectiveness. In such an experiment, some patients receive a placebo containing an inactive substance, and another group of patients receive the active drug or treatment. Typically, no sick participant receives a placebo if there is a known beneficial treatment. There is some scientific evidence of a “placebo effect” where a placebo actually seems to ease symptoms. This may be evidence of the ability of the mind to help the body heal.
	Platelet aggregation
	Also known as blood clotting. A clot forms when clotting factors in the blood cause blood cells to coagulate or form a solid, jelly-like mass. When a blood clot forms inside a blood vessel, it can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke.
	Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
	A medical condition occurring in the days before a woman’s monthly period typified by mood swings, breast tenderness, abdominal cramping, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression. PMS is more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early 40s. 85% to 90% of premenopausal women regularly experience these negative physical symptoms before the onset of their period. Medical studies of PMS have shown that high calcium intake has a beneficial effect on PMS mood and behavior symptoms.[16,27]