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The
Whole Food Center
GLOSSARY
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ABSORPTION - The process of absorbing or assimilating substances into cells or across the tissues and organs through diffusion or osmosis, as in absorption of nutrients by the digestive system, or absorption of drugs into the bloodstream
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BIOAVAILABILITY - The proportion of a drug or other substance which enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.This term will often be used around marketing campaigns, claiming "100% or 1,000% more bioavailable than other brands. " This can be very misleading as it is often like comparing apples and oranges; ie: comparing an emulsified softgel of coQ10 to a dry powder.
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GRASS FED - Please click here to read more about "grass-fed" and "pasture raised"
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IU (INTERNATIONAL UNITS) - The international unit is a unit of measurement for the amount of a substance; the mass or volume that constitutes one international unit varies based on which substance is being measured, and the variance is based on the biological activity or effect, for the purpose of easier comparison across substances. International units are used to quantify vitamins, hormones, some medications, vaccines, blood products, and similar biologically active substances. Usually you will see this on supplements containing Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin D or Vitamin E.
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MCG (MICROGRAMS) - 1,000mcg equals 1mg, in terms of weight. Vitamins such as k2 and trace minerals such as chromium and selenium are often measured in micrograms.
While a label that says 500mcg might appear to have more of someting in it than something that has 2mg, 2mg is actually much heavier than 500mcg. Many times companies will use mcg measurements to mislead consumers into thinking there is a higher amount of certain nutrients in a product.
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MG (MILLIGRAMS) - 1,000 mg equals 1 gram in terms of weight. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium are often measured in milligrams.
ML (MILLILITRE) - Typically used on liquid herbal supplements or essential oils, a one ounce bottle will often hold about 30ml. For most liquid herbs and essential oils, there are about 20 drops per ml, but this can vary occasionally depending on the liquid being used.
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PASTURE RAISED - Please click here to read more about "grass-fed" and "pasture raised"
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TRANSSHIPPING - Transshipping occurs when a product is sent to an intermediate country and relabeled as a product of that country to disguise its real origin.
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UTILIZATION - How much of a substance is actually used by the body. Once a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream, tissues or organs, it must then be able to be utilized by the body. Something may be more bioavailable but not as well utilized by the body as a similar substance. For example, folic acid is more bioavailable than folate, but folate is better utilized by the body. A large percentage of absorbed folic acid, remains unmetabolized by the body. Just getting a lot of something into the blood does not mean it is the best form of a nutrient. Many people with methylation snps, do not metabolize folic acid or the cyanocobalamin form of b12 well. They may have high blood levels of a nutrient, but very little in the tissues- poor utilization. High bioavailability does not guarantee a great result.
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