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Cleo Libonati, RN, BSN is CEO and co-Founder of Gluten Free Works, Inc. and Glutenfreeworks.com. She is the author and publisher of the highly recommended celiac disease reference guide, Recognizing Celiac Disease.

Gastric (Stomach) Ulcer

What Is A Gastric Ulcer? Gastric ulcer is a painful stomach disorder characterized by an open sore involving the mucosa lining and deeper muscle layer of the stomach. Gastric ulcer is associated with lymphocytic gastritis which is inflammation of the mucosal ...

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Synthesis: definition

The process of building more complex compounds from simpler compounds or elements.

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Repletion: definition

To restore to adequate nutrient levels in the body.

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Measurements: definition

MEASUREMENTS used in this guide: • Gram is a metric unit abbreviated (g). It contains 1,000 milligrams. • Milligram is a metric unit abbreviated (mg). It is 1,000th of a gram and contains 1,000 micrograms. • Microgram is a metric ...

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Free Radical: definition

Highly reactive and unstable molecules. These hostile molecules are a normal byproduct of processes within the body, such as metabolism, and also come from the environment such as smoke, air pollution, chemicals, toxic heavy metals and rancid fats.

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Dietary Guidelines: definition

DIETARY GUIDELINES set under Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): • RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) – RDA’s are set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institutes of Medicine with the goal of preventing nutrition-related disease. RDA’s are ...

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Antioxidants: definition

Substances that prevent or inhibit oxidative damage to the body by free radicals. Specific antioxidants quench the action of specific free radicals and convert them into harmless chemicals. Antioxidants include certain enzymes, essential nutrients, and a wide variety of compounds ...

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Prostaglandins: definition

Lipid compounds in cells derived from arachidonic acid that act as chemical messengers to both sustain homeostasis (balance of normal functions) and mediate (bring about) pathologic mechanisms, such as the inflammatory response.

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Anemia, Iron Deficiency

What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is a blood cell disorder that is characterized by formation of small, pale red blood cells, causing tissue hypoxia. Hypoxia is the inability to meet the demands of the body for oxygen. ...

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Tuberculosis – Increased Susceptibility 

What Is Increased Susceptibility To Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB), is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is characterized by chronic bacterial infection most commonly affecting lungs that develops in stages. Increased susceptibility to tuberculosis menas the person’s ...

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Osteoporosis

What Is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder characterized by diminished bone mass (density) with normal cell appearance but fragile bone strength that prediposes to broken bones, and with high bone turnover. This condition usually goes undetected until late ...

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Gall Bladder, Impaired Motility 

What Is Impaired Gall Bladder Motility? Impaired gall bladder motility means the gall bladder is slow to empty or is dysfunctional. The functional disorder of the gallbladder is caused initially either by metabolic abnormalities or by an alteration in its muscular ability to ...

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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

What Is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? Non-alcoholic fatty liver is a non-inflammatory liver disorder characterized by degenerative changes in the liver caused by excessive accumulation of lipid (fat) in hepatocytes (liver cells) that is called free fatty acid-generated lipotoxicity. Non-alcoholic ...

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a motility disorder without anatomic cause involving the entire gastrointestinal tract that is characterized by these four features: 1) Abdominal pain usually relieved by defecation or passing of gas; 2) ...

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Vitamin D Deficiency

What Is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is the principle regulator of calcium homeostasis (balance) in the body.  This “vitamin” is really a prohormone, meaning it acts like a hormone but is not. Vitamin D does, however, contain cholesterol in its molecular ...

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