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Term	Description
Magnesium	A silver-white mineral, the element magnesium is involved in nearly every essential bodily function, from the healing of the heart to the creation of bone and the regulation of blood sugar. It helps to burn fat and produce energy and is also known as the "gatekeeper of cellular activity." Magnesium is abundant in foods such as wheat, bran, almonds and tofu.
Maltodextrin	A type of sugar, and therefore a carbohydrate, found in packaged foods.
Manganese	A trace element, this mineral is essential for growth, reproduction, wound healing, peak brain function and for the proper metabolism of sugars, insulin and cholesterol.
Mediterranean diet	A way of eating based on clinical findings observed between diet and cardiovascular health in people who lived in Crete, Greece, during the 1950s. Scientists found there was a very low incidence of heart disease and attributed this to the Cretan diet, which emphasized olive oil, fish and nuts (all foods very high in monounsaturated fat) with moderate intake of meat and dairy foods.
Melatonin	A hormone secreted by the brain's pineal gland, a small gland in the center of the brain that regulates body rhythms and, thus, sleep. Studies have shown that those with low melatonin levels who suffer insomnia are best helped by supplemental melatonin. It has also proven useful for jet lag and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Menopause	The transition period in a woman's life when the ovaries stop producing eggs, menstrual activity decreases and eventually ceases, and the body decreases the production of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Typical symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irritability and changes in mood and sleep patterns.
Mercury	A toxic metallic element found in old thermometers, some fireworks, paints, hair dyes, antiseptics and fungicides. The ingestion or inhalation of mercury-containing products or food such as fish contaminated by polluted water can cause mercury poisoning, which can lead to death.
Metabolism	The process by which foods are transformed into basic elements that can be utilized by the body for energy or growth; the sum of all chemical reactions that go on in living cells. Metabolism includes all the reactions by which the body obtains and spends all the calories it gets from food.
Migraine	An excruciating, throbbing headache usually affecting one side of the head that is frequently accompanied by nausea, diarrhea and intense sensitivity to light and sound. Doctors theorize migraines occur when blood vessels of the head and neck constrict, decreasing blood flow, then suddenly dilate. Attacks are often triggered by menstruation, alcohol, allergic reactions or relaxation after a period of stress. The cause is unknown.
Milk sugar	See Lactose.
Milligram	A unit of weight used in the metric system (abbreviated as mg). One thousand micrograms equals one milligram. One ounce is equivalent to 28,400 mg.
Mineral	In nutrition, a compound nutrient that contains an inorganic substance, such as a metal or other trace element found in the earth's crust. For example, sodium chloride (table salt) is a compound of sodium and chlorine. Minerals play a vital role in regulating many of the body's functions.
Mitochondria	The parts of body cells which are responsible for the cells' major source of energy.
Mitral valve prolapse	A disorder in which the mitral heart valve (a part of the heart) does not close properly, which allows blood to leak into the left atrium. Mitral valve prolapse is a common syndrome with a wide range of symptoms. Some forms of seem to be hereditary.
Molecule	The smallest physical unit of an element or a compound.
Molybdenum	A trace element that in supplemental form is known to cleanse the body of toxic compounds, generate energy, help manufacture hemoglobin and relieve symptoms of arthritis and asthma. This mineral can be poisonous if ingested in large quantities.
Monosaccharides	Simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose and galactose.
Monounsaturated fat	A fatty acid with only one double or triple bond per molecule, it is found in such foods as fowl, almonds, pecans, cashew nuts, peanuts, avocado and olive and canola oil.
Mucous membrane	Thin sheets of moist body tissue that line the mouth, intestines, urinary tract, nasal passages and various other parts of the body and secrete mucous that protects the underlying structure.
Multiple sclerosis	A progressive disease characterized by the breakdown of the lining of the brain, which affects the nerve fibers and spinal cord. It begins slowly, usually in young adulthood, and persists with periods of exacerbation and remission. The first signs are abnormal sensations in the extremities or on one side of the face. Other early signs are muscle weakness, vertigo and visual disturbances. As the disease advances, the patient experiences abnormal gait and lack of complete muscle control.
Mycoplasma infection	An infection caused by bacteria that possess no true cell walls, such as parasites or other pathogens, which can cause mycoplasma pneumonia, bronchitis or pharyngitis, among other symptoms. These types of bacteria can infect the sac of the heart.
Myocardial infarction	See Heart attack.