A Reflection of Healthy Living

Listed below are terms that a Clear Health practitioner may use during your visit. We update this page often.

Absorption: The process of assimilation, whereby nutrients are absorbed through the digestive tract and into the bloodstream, then into the body's cells

Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter that's involved in nerve-muscle activity and memory.

Acidophilus: A species of friendly bacteria found throughout the body, especially in the digestive tract.

Adaptogen: An agent, such as an herb, that helps the body adapt to various stressors, whether they be phusical, mental, or emotional. Often referred to as "tonic." Many adaptogen herbs work, in part, by supporting adrenal gland function.

Adrenal glands: A pair of glands situatied above the kidneys that secrete the stress hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol, as well as the sex steroids DHEA and pregnenolone.

Alternative medicine: Health care existing outside the established medical system.

Amino acids: The individual building blocks of protein. There are approximately twenty different amino acids. Ten of the amino acids are known as "essential amino acids", which means that our bodies cannot manufacture them, so it is essential that we consume them in our diets. The remaining ten nonessential amino acids can be manufactured in the body.

Amylase: A digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates and starches.

Anemia: A blood condition in wich there are too few red blood cells or the red blood cells are deficient in hemoglobin. The most common form of anemia is caused by iron deficiency, although B12 and folic acid anemias commonly occur as well.

Antioxidants: This refers to substances that neutralize or reduce the effects of cell-damaging free radicals. Common examples include vitamins A, C, and E and selenium.

Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils and other pure plant extracts to treat a variety of conditions through inhalation and/or absorption through the skin.

Ascorbic acid: Refers to vitamin C.

Aspartame: An artificial sweetener that is used as a sugar substitute. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Autoimmune disease: One of several conditions where the immune system attacks and damages it's own tissues.

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms. Some bacteria can cause disease; other 'friendly' bacteria are normally present in the body and perform such useful functions as aiding digestion and protecting thebody from harful invading organisms.

Bio-Energetics: The biology of energy transformations and energy exchanges within and between living things and their environments. A system of therapy that combines nutrition, breathing and body exercises, supplement therapy, and the free expression of impulses and emotions and that is held to increase well-being by releasing blocked physical and psychic energy.

Bioflavonoid: Biologically active flavonoids that act synergistically with vitamin C.

Candida: A fungus that normally inhabits the human body. Overgrowth of this organism can lead to a systemic infection, including immune system suppression, fatigue, and a multitude of other potential symptoms. Candida Albicans is a type of fungus that inhabits the digestive tract and results in systemic disease when it overwhelms the body's immune system.

Carbohydrate: A term that refers to a food compund that contains carbon and water molecules, which provides an energy source for the body.

Carcinogen: A substance or agent that is known to cause cancerous changes in the body.

Carrier oil: A pure plant oil, such as sweet almond oil, used to dilute essential oils for aromatherapy.

Chlorophyll: A green plant pigment that's responsible for capturing the light energy needed for photosynthesis. it is used in natural medicine for detoxification, red blood cell support, and antioxidant properties.

Cholesterol: A yellow, waxy substance that is necessary for life; an important component of cell walls. It is used to manufacture hormones and other life-giving substances.

Coenzyme: A substance that works with enzymes to activate a specific reaction in the body.

Detoxification: The process of eliminating toxins and waste products in the body. It is recommended that you detox your body yearly.

Digestive enzyme: A supplement that acts as a catalyst in the breakdown of food.

Electrolytes: Minerals that are required for body functioning, especially sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. Electrolytes help to control fluid levels in the body, maintain normal pH levels, and ensure the transmission of nerve signals.

Emotional Freedom Technique: (EFT) is a type of energy healing process that begins with the assessment of the pain threshold scale. It is a psychological method of focusing on the patients emotional health in order to help treat the physical health. It is used to break addictions, calm the mind, or reprogram a negative thought pattern or belief system about one self.

Endorphin: A substance produced by the brain that reduces pain.

Enzyme: A protein produced by cells or taken in supplement form that acts as a cayalyst for a specific biochemical reaction, such as digestion or energy production.

Essential amino acids: Amino acids are the individual building blocks of protein. There are approximately twenty different amino acids. Ten of the amino acids are known as "essential amino acids", which means that our body cannot manufacture them so it is essential that we consume them in our diets.

Essential fatty acids: Fats that the body cannot manufacture and that are required by every cell in the body. The two essential fatty acids are alpha linolenic acid (ALA), of the omega-3 family, and linoleic acid (LA) from the omega -6 family.

Fiber: The indigestible portion of plant food. It helps us to eliminate waste from the body.

Fungus: A single-celled or multicellular organism that reproduces by spores and lives by absorbing nutrients from organic matter.

Gastrointestinal tract: (GI) refers to the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine.

Glucose: A simple sugar that is the body's preferred fuel source.

Gluten: A protein combination found in many grains such as wheat, spelt, barley, rye, and oats.

Guided imagery: The use of visual techniques in one's mind to enhance health and wellbeing.

Heavy Metals: When the body begins to struggle with eliminating metals from the environment such as lead, mercury, copper, and cadmium, the body can become toxic.

Hemoglobin: The iron-containing portion of red blood cells that transports oxygen to cells.

Herbal Medicine: A theraputic use of plant extracts for the prevention and the treatment of illness.

Holistic: From the Greek term holos, for "whole,". Pertaining to the "whole" person in mind, body, and spirit.

Homeopathy: A system of natural healing based on the premise that "like cures like." Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted medicines that stimulate the healing response of the body.

Hormone: A substance produced by an endocrine gland that regulates the function of cells and organs.

Hydrogenation: A chemical process that uses hydrogen to turn liquid oils into solids. Thes results in trans-fatty acids that are harmful to the human body. Margarine and shortenings.

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels.

Hypothymas gland: Located in the brain and involved with the regulation of body temperature and other metabolic processes.

Immune system: The body's complex defense system, which recognizes and protects against disease. It is also involved in the healing of damaged tissues. Ti's composed of a variety of white blood cells, the lymphatic system, and other specialized substances.

Insulin: A hormone that is secreted by the pancreas for the function of regulating blood sugar levels by transporting glucose into the cells.

Lactase: A naturally occuring digestive enzyme that breaks down lactase in dairy foods.

Lactobacillus acidophilus: Refers to a "friendly bacteria" found throughout the digestive tract and other mucus membraine areas of the body. The bacteria are involved with digestion, vitamin synthesis, and immunity.

Lipase: A digestive enzyme responsible for breaking down lipids and fats.

Liver: The primary filter for cleansing the blood. It metabolizes hormones, toxins, and other substances that enter the bloodstream and also stores carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Lymph: part of the lymphatic system, which carries lymphocytes and nutrients to cells and expels toxins. A lymph node is a small structure located in the lymphatic vessels that produces white blood cells that fight infection and remove toxic debris.

Melatonin: A natural hormone produced by the body at night to promote sleep.

Meditation: The act of being in the present moment.

Meridian: In Chinese medicine, a conduit that can be compared to an imaginary line linking points on the body's surface with intrnal organs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) defines twelve main meridians and several supporting meridians. The surface oints are use in accupuncture and in Electrodermal scanning.

Metabolism: The chemical and physical interactions taking place in the body that provide the energy and the nutrients needed to sustain life.

Minerals: Inorganic substances that are important components of tissues and fluids. The are necessary for the proper functioning of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and other metabolic activities in the body.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG): An additive commonly used to increase the flavor of foods. It is known to cause allergic reactions, such as headaches. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Naturopathic Medicine: A system of natural medicine that focuses on working with the healing systems of the body. Clear Health practitioners work to restore health by using nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical fitness, counseling, and other forms of natural healing.

Neurotransmitter: A chemical that carries messages between nerve cells of the brain and the nervous system.

Nutraceutical: A natural substance that is usually of plant origin, which is taken as a dietary supplement for theraputic use.

Organic: A term used to describe foods grown without the use of artificial chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, or hormones.

Parasite: An organism that requires a host to recieve nourishment. Certain parasites can cause diseases in humans and animals. It is not uncommon to become anemic when there is an overgrowth of parasites. It is recommended that you do a parasite cleanse yearly.

Peristalsis: A series of wavelike muscle contractions that moves food and waste material through the digestive tract.

pH: A scale of measurement of the acidity or the alkalinity of a substance. The scale runs from zero to fourteen. A pH of seven is considered neutral, anything below seven is considered acidic, and values above seven are considered alkaline.

Phytonutrients: These naturally occurring substances give plants their characteristic flavor, color, aroma, and resistance to disease. Thousands of phytonutrients have been identified in fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, algae, and nuts. They have tremendous benefits for people because they help prevent and treat disease. They are also referred to as phytochemicals.

Pituitary gland: An endocrine gland located at the base of the brain that controls growth, metabolism, and other glands in the body. The "Master Endocrine Gland".

Precursor: A substance required for another substance to be forrmed or utilzed.

Probiotic: A substance that contains friendly flora.

Protease: A naturally occuring digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins based foods.

Proteolytic enzymes: Enzymes that break down protein when taken with food. They also have an antiinflammatory effect when taken between meals.

Protein: A nitrogen-containing compound found in plant and animal foods. The body uses protein as a fuel source and to form or repair tissues, organs, and muscles. Protein comprises enzymes and hormones and is found in every cell in the body. Amino acids are the individual building blocks of protein.

qi: (Chi) In Chinese medicine, it is a reference to the body's vital energy.

Saturated fat: Refers to a fat that is full or "saturated" with hydrogen molecules. Saturated fats are semisolid to solid at room temperature. Dairy products and red meat products contain higher percentages of sturated fats than most foods. Too much saturated fat in the diet is associated with various diseases, such as arthritis and cancer.

Secondary infection: An infection that occurs after an initial infection. For example, a cold that turns into bronchitis.

Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that influences mood and sleep, as well as other mechanisms in the body.

Simple carbohydrate: Refers to a carbohydrate that is broken down and absorbed quickly in the body.

Sublingual: A supplement that dissolves beneath the tongue, directly into the bloodstream.

Toxins: Any impure, poisonous substances that impair the body's funcitons. It is recommended that you do a detox yearly.

Trans-fatty acids: Harmful fatty acids that are formed during a chemical process that uses hydrogen to turn liquid oils into a soild.

Triglyceride: A chemical compound formed from a molecule of the alcohol glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids. Triglycerides constitute many of the fats and the oils in the diet.

Unsaturated fat: Fat that is liquid at room temperature. Olive oil is an unsaturated fat.

Uric acid: The by-product of protein metabolism. High levels are associated with gout and kidney stones.

Virus; A large class of parasitic structures, each of which consists of a nucleic acid core and a protein covering. A virus requires a host to replicate itself and is able to reproduce itself with variations creating new kinds of viruses.

Vitamin: An organic sustance that is essential for life.

Withdrawl: A period during which someone who is addicted to a substance such as sugar, or a chemical or drug, stops taking it, which results in uncomfortable symptoms. Withdrawl periods differ depending on the health of the body and the substance it was addicted to.

Yeast: A single-celled organism that can cause infection in the body.

Yoga: Yoga means "to join or yoke together", and this discipline is said to bring the body and the mind together. Yoga involves exercise, breathing, and meditation.