Glossary Of Terms

Adrenalin	See ‘Epinephrine’
Apnoea	Cessation of breathing
Arrhythmia	Any variation from the normal rhythm of the Heart beat (also cardiac arrhythmia, ventricular, arrhythmia)
Arteriosclerosis	Hardening of the arteries (see Atherosclerosis)
Atheroma	Arteriosclerosis with degenerative associations
Atherosclerosis	Build-up of cholesterol causing blockage of the Larger arteries
Benign	Not malignant (see below), not recurrent
Caffeine-naïve	Individuals who have not been consuming caffeine for a certain period of time
Carcinogen	A substance which produces cancer
Carcinoma	A malignant new growth (see below)
Cardiac	Pertaining to the heart
Cardiovascular	Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels
Catecholamines	A family of hormones produced by the human body (see ‘Epinephrine’)
Cholesterol	A fat-like substance found in animal fats and oils
Chromosome	Structures present in each cell in higher organisms which comprise genes (see below). The number of chromosomes in each cell is predetermined for each species or organism
Confounding factors	Factors which may influence experimental results but which are not necessarily themselves key factors or being studied
Congenital	Existing at — and sometimes before birth
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid — a molecular double helix, composed of specifically arranged individual molecules. DNA represents the basic "building blocks" of genes
Dose-related response	Either the respective greater, or reduced response to a substance given in increasing or decreasing amounts
Duodenum	The initial length of the small intestine below the stomach
Duration-related response	The longer an individual is exposed to a test substance, the greater the increase in response to it (or, for example — the risk of disease)
Epidemiology	The study of disease occurrence in humans, and its relationship with associated factors
Epinephrine	A hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Epinephrine is one of a family of hormones known as catecholamines. Epinephrine is also known as adrenalin
Ergogenic	A substance with ergogenic effects improves work or exercise performance
Fibrocystic breast disease	A thickening of glandular tissue in the structure of the breast
Gastrin	A hormone which increases the flow of gastric juices
Gastritis	Inflammation of the stomach
Gene	The self-replicating biological unit of heredity, comprised on DNA (see above)
Genotoxicity	The effect of a substance on cellular genetic structure, leading to possible abnormalities
Glycogen	A carbohydrate energy source which is stored in the liver and muscles
High density lipoprotein(HDL)	The fraction of cholesterol believed to protect against the development of cardiovascular disease
Hypertension	Pertaining to high, or raising of, blood pressure
In vitro	Carried out in a test tube or on cultures (for example, an experiment may be carried out in vitro)
In vivo	Carried out in a living body (for example an experiment)
Ischaemia	Local and temporary blood deficiency (primarily due to contraction of a blood vessel)
Lipid	A fat substance
Lipolysis	The breakdown of fats, or lipids
Low density lipoprotein (LDL)	The fraction of cholesterol believed to be important in the development of adverse cardiovascular effects
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter	A short length of the oesophagus just above the stomach. Muscular control of this region by the diaphragm prevents stomach contents from moving back into the oesophagus
Malignant	A condition which tends to deteriorate
Metabolism	Bodily processes and chemical reactions by which an organism converts food to energy
Methylxanthines	The group of chemical compounds which includes caffeine
Motility	Pertaining to movement
Mutagen	A substance which includes genetic mutation
Mutation	A permanent change in form or genetic characteristic
Myocardial infarction	Heart attack
Oesophagitis (Esophagitis)	Inflammation of the oesophagus
Oesophagus (Esophagus)	The gullet, or food canal, through which food passes after swallowing, and which joins the stomach
Osteoporosis	A bone disease, primarily due to calcium depletion, which can lead to an increased likelihood of bone fracture
Peptic	Pertaining to digestion
Placebo	An inactive substance given as a control to study participants to compare with the effects of the substance under investigation
Reflux	A backward, or return flow
Relative risk (RR)	A measurement of risk for which 1 represents normal. RR less than 1 suggests no risk. RR greater than 1 indicates some level of risk. Only an RR of greater than 2 is generally considered to be relevant to real human risk
Theophylline	A body breakdown product of caffeine, only produced in very small amounts in humans
Thermogenesis	Literally, the production of heat. For example, fuel, or food burning by the human body
Ulcer	A type of sore, or tissue disintegration