Vitamin Glossary "E"

• edema- retention of excessive amounts of fluid by the body tissues.

   

• EEG(electroencephalogram)-- the brain's electrical output as measured on the scalp.

   

• EGF-(epidermal growth factor)- a hormone which causes epithelial tissues, such as skin and the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, to grow and heal.

   

• EKG (electrocardiogram)- the heart's electrical output as measured by electrodes placed on the skin of the torso.

   

• elastin- extracellular protein that makes the tissue elastic.

   

• electroacupuncture biofeedback measurement of the electrical properties of acupuncture points.

   

• electrocardiogram (EKG)- the heart's electrical output as measured by electrodes placed on the skin of the torso.

   

• electroencephalogram(EEG)-- the brain's electrical output as measured on the scalp.

   

• electrolyte ionized salts in blood, tissue fluids and cells including salts of sodium and potassium.

   

• embryo- the developing human individual from the time of implantation to the end of the eighth week after conception. Characterized by the development of tissues and primary organs and organ systems.

   

• emmenagogue- a substance which stimulates menstrual flow and activity. In most herbal remedies, however, the term is used in the wider sense for a remedy that affects the female reproductive system.

   

• endocrine gland- a gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream.

   

• endorphins- natural opiates produced in the brain which function as the body's own natural painkillers.

   

• enkephalin- a chemical substance produced in the brain which acts as an opiate and produces analgesia to increase the threshold for pain.

   

• enzyme- any one of the numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions.

   

• epidemiology- a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

   

• epistemology-the study of the sources of knowledge; that is, the principles by which one may distinguish what is true from what is not true.

   

• epithelial-referring to rapidly dividing tissues such as skin, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and the lining of the lung.

   

• epoxide-a very reactive oxidized form of organic compound, in which two carbon atoms are bonded both to each other and to a single oxygen atom in an organic molecule. For example, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon epoxides and cholesterol epoxides are carcinogenic and mutagenic. Epoxides are excellent cross-linkers, and this reaction is catalyzed by free radicals; this is what happens when you mix epoxy resin and catalyst-the pastes of liquids cross-link to form a hard solid.

   

• essential fatty acids (EFA)- unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic) which cannot be synthesized in the body and are considered essential for maintaining health.

   

• esters-the class of organic compounds formed in the reaction of an alcohol and an acid, by the elimination of water. Amyl acetate, the principal aroma note in bananas, is an ester, as are many fruity and floral scents.

   

• estrogen- female hormone responsible for stimulating the development of female secondary sex characteristics.

   

• expectorant- a substance that stimulates removal of mucous from the lungs. Stimulating expectorants "irritate" the bronchioles causing expulsion of material. Relaxing expectorants soothe bronchial spasm and loosen mucous secretions, helping in dry, irritating coughs.