Vitamin Glossary "I"

• iatrogenic- treatment induced.

   

• IgA- an antibody in the colon that binds food and bacterial antigens.

   

• immune reaction- antibody production.

   

• immune system- specialized cells, organs, glycoproteins, and polypeptides which protect the body by locating, killing, and eating foreign invaders (bacteria, parasites, viruses), athero-sclerotic plaques, and cancer cells. Includes white blood cells, thymus gland, lymphatic system, spleen, bone marrow, antibodies, complement, and interferon.

   

• immunosuppressive- a substance which suppresses the body's natural immune response to an antigen.

   

• infarct- tissue which has died due to lack of oxygen resulting from a blood clot blocking an artery.

   

• inflammation- an immune reaction that occurs in response to any type of bodily injury. Can include redness, heat, swelling, or pain.

   

• inhibitory neurotransmitter- decreases in activity of neurons; examples are GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), serotonin, and glycine.

   

• insulin- a hormone secreted by the pancreas essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and used in the treatment and control of high blood sugar.

   

• interferon- a group of proteins released by white blood cells that combat a virus.

   

• interleukin-1- a compound produced by the body in response to infection, inflammation, or other immunologic challenges.

   

• intra-arterially- introduced (usually injected) within an artery.

   

• intra-articularly- introduced (usually injected) into a joint.

   

• intradermally- introduced (usually injected) into a vein.

   

• involution-atrophy, shrinking in volume and mass.