Vitamin Glossary "S"

• saturated fats-fats containing no carbon-to-carbon double bonds; these fats are less susceptible to autoxidation (conversion to a peroxidized, immune-suppressive, clot promoting, carcinogenic form) than are polyunsaturated fats.

   

• seasonal affective disorder (SAD)- a mood disorder characterized by mental depression related to a certain season of the year, especially winter (also known as the "winter blues"). Symptoms include daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and diminished concentration. SAD usually afflicts adults and is four times more common in women than men.

   

• sebaceous glands- glands in the skin which help to retain body heat and prevent sweat evaporation.

   

• secondary antioxidant-an antioxidant which can break down already formed peroxides, and can also block their formation. An example is the food additive thiodipropionic acid.

   

• secretory IgA- promoting secretion or secreting immunoglobulin gamma A.

   

• serotonin-an inhibitory neurotransmitter required for sleep; its natural precursor is the essential amino acid tryptophan, found in relatively large quantities in bananas and milk.

   

• serum cholesterol- cholesterol circulating in the blood.

   

• singlet oxygen-an activated, energetic, reactive form of oxygen, which is produced bye the reaction of ultraviolet light with oxygen in the skin, as well as in other chemical reactions. Singlet oxygen can damage important macromolecules such as DNA. Singlet oxygen quenchers include beta-carotene (gives carrots their yellow color), which is pro-vitamin A, converted in the body to vitamin A on demand.

   

• somnambulistic state- sleep walking.

   

• sperm- the male reproductive cell carried in the seminal discharge.

   

• stem cells-cells which remain in an immature state of development until needed to replace cells that have died. They can then develop (differentiate) into mature cells. Examples are bone marrow cells and the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract.

   

• stimulant- a substance which quickens and enlivens the physiological and metabolic activity of the body.

   

• stimulatory neurotransmitter-increases activity of neurons; examples are norepinephrine and glutamate.

   

• stimulus barrier-a mental state or drug state in which a person's brain can more readily filter out unwanted sensory stimuli. Examples include some of the most commonly used drugs: nicotine, alcohol, tranquilizers, caffeine. After regular use of these chemical stimulus barriers, discontinuing their use can result in the opposite effect, an increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli (as in withdrawal from cigarettes or alcohol).

   

• subacute- a state between acute and chronic when symptoms have lessened in severity or duration.

   

• subluxations- terminology used by a chiropractor to explain misalignments of spinal vertebrae.

   

• sulfhydryl-a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom is a sulfhydryl group. A sulfhydryl compound contains one or more sulfhydryl groups. Examples include vitamin B-1, the amino acid cysteine, and the triple amino acid reduced glutathione.

   

• superoxide dismutase (SOD)-a zinc and copper or manganese containing enzyme which reacts with superoxide radicals to convert them to less dangerous chemical entities. It is the fifth most common protein in the human body. All organisms not killed by air contain SOD. Intracellular cytoplasmic SOD generally contains zinc and copper, while mitochondrial SOD contain manganese.

   

• superoxide radical-a free radical thought to play a central rose in arthritis, cancer promotion, and cataract formation. Our major intracellular (inside of cells) defense against them is the enzyme superoxide dismutase.

   

• sutura- thin fibrous membrane which unites the bony surfaces of the skull.

   

• synapse-the gap between nerve cells. One nerve cell stimulates another one to fire an electric pulse by secreting special chemicals called neurotransmitters into the synapse between the cells.

   

• synergy-when chemicals or drugs are used together, they may show negative or positive synergy. Positive synergy occurs when the sum of the effects of chemicals acting together is greater than the additive effects of the individual chemicals. Negative synergy occurs when the sum of effects of the mixture is less than that of the individual components of the mix. Antioxidant mixtures commonly exhibit positive synergy, although negative synergy can also occur.

   

• systemic-throughout the body.

   

• systolic blood pressure- the period of greatest pressure in the arterial vascular system.

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