Glossary of dietary supplements

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of terms related to diet, nutrition, supplements, and related health products. It includes ingredients, products, and concepts that are often encountered in the study of nutrition and dietary practices. Whether you are a health enthusiast, a professional in the field of nutrition, or simply curious about dietary terms, this glossary serves as a valuable resource.

0-9[edit | edit source]

  • 26-deoxyactein - A component of black cohosh. It belongs to the family of chemical compounds called triterpene glycosides.

A[edit | edit source]

  • 1,4,6-Androstatriene-3,17-dione - A steroidal compound used as a dietary supplement for its potential to influence hormone levels.
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan - A precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, used in supplements to support mood and sleep.
  • Acetylcarnitine - A form of carnitine that is involved in the metabolism of fat and energy production.

B[edit | edit source]

  • Balance Bar - A brand of nutritional energy bars formulated to provide a balanced ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fat.
  • Bitter orange - A citrus fruit used in dietary supplements for weight loss and as an appetite suppressant.

C[edit | edit source]

  • Calcium supplement - Dietary supplements used to prevent or treat calcium deficiencies.
  • Carnitine - A nutrient and dietary supplement that plays a crucial role in the production of energy by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria.

D[edit | edit source]

  • Dietary fiber - The indigestible part of plant foods that aids in digestion and is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
  • Dietary supplement - Products taken orally that contain dietary ingredients intended to supplement the diet.

E[edit | edit source]

  • Energy bar - A convenient, nutrient-rich bar formulated to provide quick energy for athletes and active individuals.
  • Ephedra (medicine) - A medicinal preparation from the plant Ephedra sinica, previously used in weight loss and energy supplements but now restricted due to health risks.

F[edit | edit source]

  • Fish oil - A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, used as a dietary supplement to support cardiovascular health.
  • Functional chewing gum - Chewing gum that is infused with dietary supplements or other health-promoting ingredients.

G[edit | edit source]

  • Ginseng - A medicinal herb used in dietary supplements for its potential benefits in boosting energy, reducing stress, and improving concentration.
  • Green coffee extract - A supplement derived from unroasted coffee beans, touted for its potential weight loss benefits.

H[edit | edit source]

  • Hydroxycut - A brand of weight loss supplements that claim to aid in weight loss through a combination of herbal ingredients.

I[edit | edit source]

  • Iron supplement - Dietary supplements used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia.

J[edit | edit source]

  • Juice Plus - A brand of dietary supplements made from the juice extracts of fruits and vegetables.

K[edit | edit source]

  • Krill oil - A dietary supplement derived from krill that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

L[edit | edit source]

  • Lycopene - A powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, often used in dietary supplements for its potential health benefits.

M[edit | edit source]

  • Magnesium glycinate - A highly bioavailable form of magnesium supplement, used to correct magnesium deficiency and support various bodily functions.

N[edit | edit source]

O[edit | edit source]

P[edit | edit source]

  • Protein supplement - Products used to increase protein intake, commonly used by athletes and individuals looking to build muscle or recover from exercise.

Q[edit | edit source]

  • Quinoa - A high-protein, gluten-free grain rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, often included in health-conscious diets.

R[edit | edit source]

  • Red yeast rice - A fermented rice product that contains monacolin K, a substance that can act as a natural statin, used in supplements to manage cholesterol levels.

S[edit | edit source]

T[edit | edit source]

  • Tryptophan - An essential amino acid used in supplements to support sleep, mood, and overall well-being.

U[edit | edit source]

  • Urea-molasses - A nutritional supplement used in livestock feed to improve digestion and provide additional nutrients.

V[edit | edit source]

  • Vitamin - Organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.

W[edit | edit source]

  • Whey protein - A high-quality protein supplement derived from milk, widely used to support muscle repair and growth.

X[edit | edit source]

  • Xylitol - A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many sugar-free products, including some dietary supplements and health foods.

Y[edit | edit source]

  • Yerba mate - A traditional South American drink made from the leaves of the mate plant, consumed for its stimulant and nutritional properties.

Z[edit | edit source]

  • Zinc supplement - Used to prevent or treat zinc deficiency, which is important for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.

Diets
Dieting Diet - Cuisine - Dietitian - Hunger - Leptin - Meal - Nutrition - Obesity : Staple food
Types Ketogenic diet - Low carbohydrate diet - Weight loss diet
  By food ingredients Omnivore - Entomophagy - Pescetarian - Plant-based
Regional diets Western - Mediterranean - Sustainable diets - Low carbon - Planetary
Religious diets Buddhist - Christian - Hindu - Islamic - Jain - Jewish - Rastafari - Sikh
 Vegetarianism and veganism   Dried fruit - Fruitarianism - Meat analogue - Milk substitute - Raw vegan - Tofu - Semi-vegetarianism
Supplement diets Bodybuilding supplements  - Meal replacement - Therapeutic food - Non-solid diets - Liquid diets - Very-low-calorie diet
Misc.topics Food pyramid - Fruits & Veggies – More Matters - Healthy eating pyramid - Latin American Diet Pyramid - French paradox - Mediterranean Diet Pyramid - MyPlate - MyPyramid - Vegetarian Diet Pyramid

Glossaries, dictionaries, and lists in WikiMD[edit source]

Popular Glossaries Dictionaries Lists & Glossaries Topics
Medical dictionary
Medical dictionary

Additional Resources:[edit source]


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD