Definitions of the most current ACTICOA™-related terms.
Antihypertensive
Against high blood pressure.
Antioxidant
A component that helps to prevent or reduce the oxidative damage to body cells and tissues by free radicals.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the arterial blood vessel. It is commonly referred to as a "hardening" or "furring" of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the measurement of the rate and amount of a chemical compound that ultimately achieves systemic circulation and is absorbed with an active effect into various target tissues after it is eaten or administered.
Cardiovascular
Refers to blood circulation and the heart.
Cognitive performance
Refers to processes such as memory, attention, perception, action, problem solving and mental imagery capacity.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid usually in the form of a double helix that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological development of all cellular forms of life.
Endothelium
The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the scientific study of factors affecting the health and illness of individuals and populations, and serves as the foundation and logic of interventions made in the interest of public health and preventive medicine. It is considered a cornerstone methodology of public health research, and is highly regarded in evidence-based medicine for identifying risk factors for disease and determining optimal treatment approaches to clinical practice.
Flavanol
A common class of flavonoids consisting of catechin, epicatechin and proanthocyanidins.
Flavonoids
A specific group of polyphenols. Flavonoids are commonly known for their ant-oxidant activity.
Free radicals
Free radicals can initiate chemical reactions that can cause damage to cells and DNA and are believed to play a role in degenerative disorders such as heart disease and cancer. The free radicals can be formed in the body by exposure to sunlight and pollution.
Inflammatory
Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation.
LDL cholesterol
Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol is referred to as the bad cholesterol what may lead to cardiovascular problems.
Molecule
A molecule is considered as the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and chemical properties.
ORAC method
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method of measuring antioxidant contents in different foods.
Platelet aggregation
Platelets or thrombocytes are the blood cell fragments that are involved in the cellular mechanisms that lead to the formation of blood clots. Low levels or dysfunction predisposes for bleeding, while high levels may increase the risk of thrombosis.
Polyphenols
Are a group of plant phytochemical substances. Some polyphenols are responsible for the colouring of some plants e.g. the blue colour of berries.
Proanthocyanidin
A type of flavanol consisting of different catechin molecules joined together to form bigger compounds.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle; the diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle).
