Definitions
The meanings of common medical terms and compounds
On
this site you would have encountered some terms and expressions used, associated with health supplements. To help
you better understand what's being said, we have created this knowledge base of descriptions for common medical
terms, some listed further below. Instead of giving you just dry definitions, we have built a little more knowledge
and created separate pages for some of these pharmaceutical compounds and expressions.
Medical Terms and Compounds |
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Age Pigment
Commonly known as age spots,
dark spots or sun spots, this skin pigmentation process becomes more visible with advancing age.
It's caused by build up of melanin, which accummulates through 'wear and tear' of the body
cells.
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Antioxidants Info
The role of antioxidants and
antioxidant substances is to protect the body against free radicals damage to the cells. There are
natural antioxidants found in various foods and synthetic antioxidants, such as vitamin
supplements.
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Calorie Restriction
The quest for longevity and life
extension has produced many different approaches to prolonging one's life.
One of those methods used to
improve health and hopefully extend lifespan is calorie restriction approach.
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DMAE Deanol
DMAE has a dual purpose as a
medical compound. It's used in health supplements to enhance vigilance and alertness, to create positive
mood. But it's also used in skin care products to improve skin tone.
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Free Radicals
These are unstable compounds
created by oxygenation when the body breaks down food or by exposure to the environment. They cause
damage to the cell membranes and can lead to more serious damage and
degeneration.
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Nootropics
Usually known as smart drugs or
cognitive enhancers, nootropics were developed in the 1960s as synthetic supplements, to improve
cognitive abilities. Their origins go back to the ancient times, as natural
nootropics.
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PCPA Fenclonine
Found in Centrophenoxine, PCPA
is used for depletion of serotonin. While being a very important neurotransmitter, excess
serotonin can cause a variety of health problems. PCPA is used to lower high serotonin
levels.
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Senile Cataracts
One of the most common vision
problems in elderly people, cataracts can be cause of blindness, especially in some countries.
Cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye, due to protein build up that happens with
age.
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Telomeres
The end bits of human chromosome (DNA
structure) are called telomeres. They protect chromosomes and with age get shorter. Telomerase
activators can lengthen them and keep living cells functioning better.
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Knowledge
base
This knowledge
base gives you better insights and understanding of common medical terms and
compounds, often used in association with pharmaceutical products and health supplements. You'll understand
better what certain terms and expressions mean and why certain compounds are used in medicines and for
what purpose.
More to the point,
we try to explain what is their practical value to your health and wellbeing.
On
these pages you will also find links to relevant products available here where applicable, and to other authority
and medical sites dealing with the subject matter. So, there are some good resources on the subjects, too.
See
also our Health
Articles for more supplement information and check
our Newsletter
Archive, which contains some practical health advice, in among
other things.
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When it comes to
pharmaceuticals and health supplements information, you will often encounter some terms
and compounds that are unknown or unclear. This short definitions guide aims to help you fill
in your knowledge gaps with clearer explanations of commonly used medical terms and their use in
pharmaceuticals. |
Analogue (or
Variant)
In chemistry, analogue is a
structural derivative of a parent compound that often differs (varies) from it by a single element. It usually
means that a particular compound is very similar to its parent compound, or comparable to
it. For example, Adrafinil is an
earlier analogue to Modafinil - it means Adrafinil is very
similar to Modafinil. Or, Vasopressin is a
natural version of Desmopressin. Put another way, analogue simply means 'relating to'.
Aqueous
Humour
No, it's nothing to do with being
funny. It's to do with you eye and maintaining a good vision. Aqueous humor is the clear fluid in
the front of the eye, between the cornea and the iris, that provides nutrients to the cornea and the lens. This
fluid is produced by the ciliary body. Glaucoma causes a difficulty in draining this fluid, and pressure builds up.
The result is damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. One of the most effective products to use for
maintaining good eye health are Can-C eye drops, based on N-acetylcarnosine. They're
also effective in preventing and used in treating senile
cataracts.
Blood-Brain
Barrier
The existence of the blood-brain
barrier was first noticed by Paul Ehrlich in the 19th Century. Essentially the blood-brain barrier is a membranic
structure that protects the brain from chemicals and other substances in the blood. Although this is designed
as a protective mechanism for the brain, some of substances or compounds are able to cross this barrier, such as
for example Melatonin and Picamilone, bringing about positive effects
on the brain and the body.
Dopamine
A 'feel-good' hormone and
neurotransmitter is a precursor (forerunner) of adrenaline. Neurotransmitters are chemicals used by the brain to
communicate signals between neurons and other cells. Low levels of dopamine are related to Parkinsons disease.
Dopamine is extracted from Dopa, which is used in treatment of Parkinsons. Smart drugs
like Deprenyl (Selegiline) in particular
increase levels of dopamine in the brain and is used as preventative for Alzheimers and Parkinsons
diseases.
GABA
GABA is short for 'gamma amino
butyric acid'. It is the amino acid that acts as an inhibitory neutrotransmitter in the brain. Found
in Picamilone and Piracetam. Increased amounts of GABA in the
body produce relaxing, anti-anxiety effects. GABA is also believed to increase the amount of HGH - Human
Growth Hormone.
Niacin
Also known
as nicotinic acid, niacin
is a water-soluble vitamin B3 (previously known as vitamin PP). This means it's easy absorbed, but not stored in
the body. Niacin helps insulin regulate blood sugar levels (useful for diabetics) and lowers cholesterol. Severe
niacin deficiency can cause pellagra - a vitamin deficiency disease.
Senescent
cells
These are also known as "dead"
cells, no longer cuntional in the body. But they can be potentially harmful to the body, as they block creating of
the new and working cells. They can also cause chronic inflammation, which by itself leads to many health issues.
These dead cells can be removed from the body using senolytic drugs, such as Dasatinib.
Senolytics
This refers to small molecules
and drugs that are used to remove dead or senescent cells from the body. These cells can inhibit creation of new
cells (rejuvenation) and are known to be inflammatory when they remain too long in the body. Senolytic drugs, such
as Dasatinib and Quercetin, help remove these cells and are thus known as antiaging drugs.
In effect, they improve body's physiological function and extend its longevity. Stem cells, too, are considered to
be potentially senolytic agents,
as they enhance immunity and improve healing.
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