Type II diabetes: the insulin secreted by the pancreas has difficulty in acting; the cells are less sensitive to insulin and the glucose cannot therefore be used by them. The pancreas must therefore no longer produce insulin, it will be aided by medicines.
Sweetener: natural or synthetic substance that provides a sweet taste.
Fibers: element of food that does not provide energy (calories). Its action is to regulate the digestion, and slow down the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and carbohydrates.
Glycaemia: level of sugar in the blood. The ideal level is 1 g per litre of blood.
Unsaturated fats: fats that protect the heart and blood vessels.
Saturated fats: fats that tend to line the walls of arteries.
Hypoglycaemia: drop in the blood sugar level that can cause dizziness, nausea up to a loss of consciousness.
LDL: fraction of cholesterol that tends to be deposited on the artery wall, thus increasing its thickness and obstruction. The result can be a myocardial infarction, a cerebral vascular accident. This is known as bad cholesterol. (HDL is considered to be "good cholesterol")
Cardiovascular diseases: diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels (atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypercholesterolemia, etc.)
Osteoporosis: disease of the old skeleton that reduces the bone structure, making it more fragile.
Proteins: elements of food that are necessary for building the body (producing the skeleton, tissues and cells).
Complex sugars: sugars that are absorbed slowly. They are composed of group of several carbohydrate molecules.
Simple sugars: sugars that are absorbed rapidly. They are found in food that has a sweet taste.
Triglycerides: Blood fats increased during too great an intake of cooked pork products, simple sugars or alcohol.
