Acidophilus: Acidophilus is also called Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria that exists in the body and is important in the maintenance of the normal level and consistency of bacteria in the body.

Adrenal: One of a pair of small glands, each of which sits on top of one of the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. ( from Latin ad- ‘toward’ + rebes, ‘kidney’)

Alkaline: Having a pH* greater than 7.

Amino Acids: Amino acids are the basic molecular building blocks of proteins. (from ammonia*)

Ammonia: Ammonia is an important source of nitrogen for living systems. Nitrogen is required for the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Ammonia is important for normal acid/base balance. (Origin: 1375–1425; late Middle English armoniac, ammoniak < Latin ammoniacum < Greek ammoniakón, applied to a salt and a gum resin prepared near the Shrine of Ammon in Libya)

Atrophy: a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage. (Origin: 1590–1600; earlier atrophie < Middle French < Late Latin atrophia < Greek, equiv. to átroph(os) not fed)

Autism: Autism (also called autistic disorder, infantile autism, Kanner’s syndrome or Kanner syndrome) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself before the age of three years. Children with autism are marked by impaired social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.

Autonomic Nervous System: The part of the nervous system that prepares the body for rest. It also helps the digestive tract move along so our bodies can efficiently take in nutrients from the food we eat.

Betaine: A sweet crystalline organic compound occurring in sugar beets and other plants and used in the treatment of certain metabolic disorders. (Latin beta, ‘beet’ + -ine from Greek -inos, ‘suffix’)

Bile: 1. A bitter, alkaline, brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow fluid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the beginning of the small intestine and aids in the digestion, and absorption of fats. Also called gall1 (French, from Latin blis.)

Bioavailable: The extent to which a nutrient or medication can be used by the body. (Origin: 1965–70 < Greek bíos ‘life’ + ‘AVAILABILITY’)

Bovine: Having to do with cows and cattle (from Late Latin bovinus, from Latin bos, bov-, ‘cow’]

Calcium: A mineral that is an important component of a healthy diet. A deficit can affect bone and tooth formation, while over-retention can cause kidney stones. Calcium is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, and calcium requirements must be met throughout life. Requirements are greatest during periods of growth, such as childhood, during pregnancy and when breast-feeding. (Latin calcis, meaning ‘lime’)

Calcium Bicarbonate: Calcium bicarbonate is formed when water containing carbon dioxide in solution (also known as carbonic acid) reacts with calcium carbonate.

Calcium Carbonate: A colorless or white crystalline compound, CaCO3, occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and other forms and used in a wide variety of manufactured products including commercial chalk and medicines.

Calcium Lactate: A salt of lactic acid in the form of white crystals that are soluble in water; used in calcium therapy and as a blood coagulant.

Cartilage: A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as the joints and outer ear. (From Middle English, < Old French, from Latin cartilago, cartilagin-)

Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change in composition itself. (Gr katakysis ‘breaking up into parts’ < kata- ‘down’ + pallien ‘to throw with force’)

Chiropractic: A method of treating diseases by manipulating the spine and certain other structures of the body. Usually done with no drugs or surgery. (Gr chier ‘hand” + praktikos ‘practical’)

Echinacea: Echinacea is a purple flowering plant has been popularly attributed with the ability to boost the body’s immune system and ward off infections, particularly the common cold. (from New Latin Echinacea, from Latin echinus, sea urchin (from its rough leaves)

Endocrine: The endocrine system is a control system that secrete chemical ‘instant messengers’ called hormones that circulate within the body via the bloodstream to affect distant cells within specific organs. (from Greek edon ‘within’ + krinein to ‘separate’)

Enzymes: Proteins that accelerate chemical reactions (from Greek enzymos < en- in + zyme ‘to cause bread to rise’)

Essential Fatty Acids: or EFAs, are fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans) as there are no known biochemical pathways capable of producing them. Flora: The microorganisms that normally inhabit a bodily organ or part. (Early 16th century < Latin Flora, Roman goddess of flowers < flor- ‘flower’)

Gastrointestinal tract: The gastrointestinal tract, also called the digestive tract or gut, is the system of organs that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. The major functions are digestion and excretion. (from Greek gaster ‘stomach’ + Latin intestinus ‘internal’ < intus ‘within’)

Glands: A cell, a group of cells, or an organ that produces a secretion for use elsewhere in the body or in a body cavity or for elimination from the body. [from French glande, from Old French glandre, alteration of Latin glandula, diminutive of glans, gland-, ‘acorn’]

Hormones: A hormone is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones. (from Greek ‘to set in motion’)

Iodine: A dark grey/purple-black colored chemical element found in seaweed such as kelp that is necessary for proper production of thyroid hormones. (from Greek, iodes, meaning ‘violet’)

Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential element in biological systems. It is an essential mineral nutrient for life and is present in every cell type in every organism. (Gr Magnisia, an area in central Greece homeland to mythical hero’s Jason, Achilles and others)

Magnesium Citrate: Magnesium citrate is a chemical agent used medicinally as a laxative and to empty the bowel prior to a surgery. It is available over the counter, both as a generic brand or under the brand name Citroma.

Malaise: 1. A vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness. 2. a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort. (from French malaise, literally ‘ill-ease,’ from mal ‘bad’ + aise ‘ease’)

Pancreatic: Of the Pancreas. The pancreas is an organ in the digestive and endocrine system that serves two major functions: exocrine – producing pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes. And endocrine-producing several important hormones. (from modern Latin < Greek pankreas < pan all + kreas flesh, because it has no bone)

Parasympathetic nervous system: The part of the nervous system that prepares the body for rest. It also helps the digestive tract move along so our bodies can efficiently take in nutrients from the food we eat. Parotid: 1. near ear: situated close to or beside the ear 2. relating to parotid gland: relating to the parotid gland (Late 17th century. Via French and Latin < Greek parotid- ‘beside the ear’ < ot- ‘ear’)

Pathogens: Any agent capable of causing disease. The term pathogen is usually restricted to living agents, which include viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, etc.

Permeability: The property or condition of being permeable. That can be permeated or penetrated, especially by liquids or gases: permeable membranes; rock that is permeable by water.

pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to 7 for neutral solutions, increasing with alkalinity and decreasing with high acidity. The pH scale commonly in use ranges from 0 to 14. (from Potential of Hydrogen)

PMG: Protomorphogen™ Extracts — In the 1940’s, Dr. Royal Lee pioneered a unique method of deriving extracts known as ‘cell determinants’ from specific organs and glands for clinical use. Dr. Lee described in detail what these extracts contain and how they function in regard to cell regulation, maintenance, and interaction with tissue antibodies. It is clear both from the description of the extraction process and clinical use that these extracts differ from what is commonly referred to as ‘glandulars.’ Furthermore, because these extracts have a distinct clinical application and effect, they should not be confused with glandulars, nor should they be referred to simply as "protomorphogens." Rather, Protomorphogen™ is the trademark owned and used by Standard Process Inc., as a brand name assigned to these uniquely derived extracts. PMG™ is another trademark owned and used by Standard Process Inc. as another brand name for these extracts. (from proto-, ‘first in a series, having the least amount of particular element’ and morphogen, ‘substance important for development of embryo: a substance that influences the differentiation and growth of embryonic cells’)

Potassium: Potassium is an essential mineral micronutrient in human nutrition; it is important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Potassium is also important in allowing muscle contraction and the sending of all nerve impulses. (from English potash, a basic salt extracted in a pot from the ash of burnt wood or tree leaves)

Probiotics: Dietary supplements containing friendly bacteria. While the word ‘bacteria’ usually has a negative association, certain species of intestinal microflora are considered beneficial. While we usually start life with a relatively healthy intestinal tract, the effects of infections, antibiotics, alcohol, stress and poor diet very often devastate healthy bacteria leading to constipation or diarrhea and a number of life threatening diseases.

Putrefying: 1. Said of flesh or other organic matter: to go bad, rot or decay, especially with a foul smell. (from 15 century from Latin putrefacere, from puter rotten.)

Ragweed: Ragweeds is a of flowering plant from the sunflower family. (Origin: 1650–60; RAG + WEED, so called from its ragged appearance)

Subluxation: The irritation or choking of nerves at the spinal joint due to (< L sub ‘under’ + L luxare, < luxus ‘dislocated’)

Thyroid: The thyroid is one of the larger glands in the body. It is a double-lobed structure located in the neck and produces hormones that regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. Another hormone also produced that controls calcium blood levels. (from the Greek word for ‘shield’, after its shape)