Glossary: Integrative Medicine & Nutrition
Epigenetics
How the environment affects gene activity.
Eustress
A term coined by Dr. Hans Selye that refers to a positive stressful challenge, such as that occurring when one is training for a marathon or learning the skills required for a new job.
Exogenous
Caused by factors (such as food or a traumatic factor) or an agent (such as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system, as in exogenous obesity or exogenous psychic depression.
Fasting and Detoxification Diets
Fasting involves abstaining voluntarily from food and/or liquid for a given amount of time and is usually done for spiritual, political, or health reasons. Certain types of fasts, like juice cleanse, the Master cleanse, or fruit and vegetable fasts may be beneficial for detoxification, improving digestion, immune health, disease prevention, and mental clarity.
Fibromyalgia
A syndrome of prolonged pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues throughout the body.
Fight or Flight/Freeze Function
Part of the autonomic nervous system’s response to trauma that accelerates action by increasing stress hormones, heart rate, blood flow, and oxygen levels.
Flashback
Somatosensory images from memories of trauma that repeat themselves, visually, aurally, and kinesthetically, from the memories of traumatic events.
Flooding
An exposure technique that involves the use of highly feared stimuli to activate high levels of anxiety. It can be invoked either through imagination or in reality until anxiety reduction occurs.
FODMAP
Acronym for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols,” one of a group of compounds (mainly carbohydrates) thought to contribute to the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and similar gastrointestinal disorders.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
A digestive disorder in which the stomach acid leaks backward from the stomach into the esophagus. GERD can irritate the food pipe and cause heartburn and other symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, the feeling of having a “lump in the throat,” chest pain, and more.
Gastropause
The decline in stomach function over time that occurs in both men and women, particularly a reduction of stomach acid secretions. Can cause hypochlorhydria and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Defined by Hans Selye as a predictable, psychophysiological response to stress.
Genomics
The study of genes and their function.
Gliadomorphins
Morphine-like opioids formed from the digestion of wheat protein that are sedating and addictive.
Glucoraphanin
A sulfur-containing compound found especially in the brassica vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes. It reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.
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