Vitamin Glossary "N"

• NaPCA-the sodium salt of pyrollidone carboxylic acid, the primary natural moisturizer found in human skin.

   

• NE-see norepinephrine.

   

• nervine- nervines help the nervous system and can be subdivided into three groups. Nervine tonics strengthen and restore the nervous system. Nervine relaxants ease anxiety and tension by soothing both body and mind. Nervine stimulants directly stimulate nerve activity.

   

• neurites- thin tendrils growing from each neuron inn the brain in large numbers, through which the neurons communicate with each other. There may be over 1000,000 neurites growing from a single neuron. The natural hormone nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates growth of neurites (required for learning). Hydergine R (Sandoz) may also stimulate neurite growth via the same mechanism as nerve growth factor.

   

• neurochemical- a chemical found in and active in the nervous system.

   

• neurological- pertaining to the study of nervous diseases.

   

• neuromodulators- substances that modify nerve function.

   

• neuromuscular- concerning both the nerves and the muscles.

   

• neurons- nerve cells.

   

• neurotoxicity- having the capability of harming nerve tissue.

   

• neurotransmitters- substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain.

   

• NGF-nerve growth factor, a hormone important in the growth of nerves.

   

• niacin-a form of vitamin B-3, also called nicotinic acid.

   

• nitrosamines-cancer causing chemicals formed by the chemical combination of nitrites and amines (found in proteins and many other organic molecules). Some bacteria make nitrites in the gut, even in the absence of dietary nitrite or nitrate. The formation of nitrosamines can be blocked by vitamin C.

   

• noradrenaline- see norepinephrine.

   

• norepinephrine-an important brain neurotransmitter (chemical which enables brain cells to communicate with each other) which plays a role in primitive drives and emotions such as motivation, aggression, and acquisition of food and sex, and body movement. It is sometimes called noradrenaline and is, in fact, the brain's version of adrenaline.

   

• normobaric-normal oxygen pressure.

   

• nosode- a nosode is a potentialized homeopathic remedy prepared from diseased tissue, such as bacteria, viruses, or pus, to treat the associated disease of the tissue material.

   

• nucleases-enzymes that take strings of nucleic acids apart.