All

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

Term	Description
Gallbladder	A hollow, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, it stores and concentrates bile, which emulsifies fat.
Gallbladder disease	A condition in which the gallbladder is unable to function properly, including gallstones.
Gallstones	Stones in the gallbladder that vary in size from a small seed to that of a lemon and can slow or obstruct the flow of bile and can result in gallbladder disease.
Gamma linoleic acid	A powerful omega-6 essential fatty acid that is particularly helpful for people with dry skin. GLA supplements can also reduce cholesterol levels and ameliorate inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, among other benefits.
Gastric juice	A fluid secreted by the stomach wall that chemically digests food.
Gastritis	Chronic or acute inflammation of the stomach lining.
Gene	The segment of DNA that contains the genetic information for a given trait.
Genetic predisposition (or gene expression)	The use of the information in a gene to affect the cell or its environment.
Genetic variation	The difference among offspring of the same parents in their genetic makeup.
GLA	Acronym for Gamma linoleic acid.
Glucomannan	A herb from the konnyaku root (part of the yam family), which contains 100 percent natural dietary fiber without any calories. It helps reduce cholesterol, promote good bowel health (including maintenance of regularity), normalize blood sugar levels and weight reduction.
Glucose	A form of simple sugar also known as blood sugar or dextrose.
Glucose tolerance factor	A term used to describe chromium supplementation, which researchers believe helps in blood sugar control and potentiates the action of insulin.
Glucose tolerance test (GTT)	A test that measures the body's ability to utilize blood glucose appropriately.
Glutathione	A tripeptide made up of amino acids (gamma-glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine). It helps prevent oxidative stress in most cells and free-radical damage. There has been an association between the speed of aging and the reduction of glutathione concentrations in the cells. As individuals get older, glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals is impaired.
Gluten	An elastic protein found in wheat and other grains that gives dough its structure and cohesiveness.
Gluten intolerance	An adverse reaction to foods rich in gluten, gluten intolerance has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. Children with celiac disease and non-tropical sprue are thought to be allergic to gluten.
Glycerine	Also known as glycerol or glycerin, this thick liquid is used by food manufacturers to improve taste, add moisture and impart sweetness. Glycerine is classed as a carbohydrate, but does not impact on blood sugar levels the way such carbohydrates as cane sugar do. Consequently, it can be used as a replacement for cane sugar; glycerine is 0.6 times as sweet as cane sugar. Chemically, it is a 3-carbon molecule with three hydroxyl groups, and is one of the most common alcohols found in human metabolism. It is also found naturally in animal and plant products and is the backbone of triglycerides (fats) and phospholipids.
Glycerol	See Glycerine.
Glycogen	A complex sugar composed of glucose, it is manufactured and stored in the liver and muscles and held ready for release to other parts of the body.
Glycolysis	The energy-yielding process of converting glucose to pyruvic and lactic acids.
Gout	A type of arthritis or inflammation about a joint caused by excess uric acid in the blood. Attacks occur suddenly and characterized by severe pain and tenderness. The big toe is a frequent site. In the past, gout was associated with obese old men who overindulged in rich foods. But today it's recognized that anyone can develop gout. In fact, gout is a painful problem for more than two million Americans. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to it after menopause.
Grain	The seed or seedlike fruit of many members of the grass family, especially corn, wheat, oats and other cereals.
Guar	A spherical endosperm extracted from the seeds of legumes. The guar bean contains significant amounts of galactomannan gum, which is used as an emulsifier/thickening agent.
Guggulipid	Derived from the sticky gum resin of guggul, a tree native to India, it has been shown to promote cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol build-up. In India, it is used as a cholesterol-lowering medication. Other benefits include its potential inhibition of platelet aggregation to decrease the risk of stroke, stimulate thyroid function and treat ulcers, sore throat, nasal inflammation, tonsillitis, bronchitis, obesity, gout and other disorders.