Nutrient Glossary: Quick Definitions from A to Z
A quick-reference glossary of every nutrient, compound, and concept covered on MyHappyPeach. Click any term to read the full page.
A
Acetyl-L-Carnitine — Acetylated form of L-carnitine; transports fatty acids into mitochondria and crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Akkermansia muciniphila — Gut bacterium that maintains the intestinal mucus layer; associated with metabolic health.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid — Both water- and fat-soluble antioxidant; regenerates vitamin C, E, and glutathione.
Anthocyanins — Purple/blue/red flavonoid pigments in berries and grapes; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Anti-Nutrients — Compounds in food that interfere with nutrient absorption (phytic acid, oxalates, tannins, etc.).
Apigenin — Flavone found in chamomile, parsley, celery; anxiolytic and CD38-inhibiting properties.
Autophagy — Cellular self-recycling process; removes damaged proteins and organelles.
B
Beta-Glucans — Polysaccharides in oats and mushrooms; immune modulation and cholesterol effects.
Bioavailability — The proportion of a nutrient that is absorbed and utilized by the body.
Biotin (B7) — B vitamin cofactor for carboxylase enzymes; often marketed for hair and nails.
Boron — Ultra-trace element with roles in bone and hormone metabolism.
Bromelain — Proteolytic enzyme from pineapple; anti-inflammatory and systemic enzyme therapy.
Butyrate — Short-chain fatty acid; primary fuel for colon lining cells.
C
Calcium — Most abundant mineral in the body; requires D and K2 for proper routing.
Carnosine — Dipeptide in muscle tissue; anti-glycation and pH buffering.
Catechins/EGCG — Green tea polyphenols; EGCG is the most abundant and studied.
Chromium — Trace mineral studied for insulin sensitivity.
CLA — Naturally occurring trans fat in ruminant products; body composition research.
Collagen Peptides — Hydrolyzed collagen protein; research on skin, joints, and bones.
Copper — Trace mineral essential for iron metabolism and connective tissue.
CoQ10 — Coenzyme Q10; essential for mitochondrial electron transport chain.
Creatine — Energy buffer for ATP; benefits for muscle, brain, and methylation sparing.
Curcumin — Bioactive compound in turmeric; potent anti-inflammatory but poorly absorbed.
D
DHA — Docosahexaenoic acid; dominant omega-3 in brain and retina tissue.
Diastase (Amylase) — Enzyme that breaks down starch into simple sugars.
Digestive Enzymes — Proteins that break down food into absorbable nutrient units.
E
Ellagic Acid — Polyphenol in pomegranates and berries; converted to urolithin A by gut bacteria.
Enzyme Cofactors — Vitamins and minerals required for enzyme function.
Exogenous Enzymes — Enzymes from food or supplements (vs. those your body produces).
F
Fat-Soluble Absorption — Why vitamins A, D, E, K and carotenoids require dietary fat.
Folate (B9) — B vitamin essential for methylation and DNA synthesis; folic acid is the synthetic form.
G
Glucosinolates — Sulfur compounds in cruciferous vegetables; converted to sulforaphane.
Glutamine — Most abundant amino acid; primary fuel for gut lining and immune cells.
Glutathione — Master intracellular antioxidant (tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine, glycine).
Glycine — Simplest amino acid; 1/3 of collagen, sleep support, glutathione precursor.
Goitrogens — Compounds that interfere with thyroid iodine uptake.
Gut Microbiome — The community of bacteria in the gut that transforms dietary compounds.
H
Hormesis — Beneficial biological response to low-dose stressors.
I
Iodine — Essential mineral for thyroid hormone production.
Iron — Mineral for oxygen transport; heme and non-heme forms differ in absorption.
L
L-Theanine — Calming amino acid in green tea; promotes alpha brain waves.
Lectins — Carbohydrate-binding proteins neutralized by cooking.
Lipase — Enzyme that breaks down dietary fat.
LPS (Lipopolysaccharides) — Bacterial endotoxins; gut barrier breach triggers inflammation.
Lithium (Nutritional) — Ultra-trace element with neuroprotective associations at low doses.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin — Macular carotenoids; eye and brain health.
Lycopene — Red carotenoid in tomatoes; more bioavailable when cooked.
M
Magnesium — Involved in 600+ enzymatic reactions; widely deficient.
Manganese — Cofactor for mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD).
MCT Oil — Medium-chain triglycerides; rapidly converted to ketones.
Methylation — Fundamental biochemical process using methyl group transfer.
Mitochondrial Nutrients — Compounds that support cellular energy production.
Molybdenum — Trace element cofactor for sulfite oxidase and xanthine oxidase.
N
NAD+ Precursors — NMN, NR, and niacin; boost cellular NAD+ for energy and repair.
Nattokinase — Fibrinolytic enzyme from natto; cardiovascular research.
NRF2 Pathway — Master regulator of antioxidant and detoxification gene expression.
Nutrient Synergies — How nutrients enhance or inhibit each other's absorption.
O
Omega-3 Fatty Acids — EPA, DHA, ALA; anti-inflammatory essential fats.
Omega-6 Balance — The ratio debate and what actually matters.
Oxalates — Compounds that bind calcium; kidney stone risk factor.
P
Papain — Proteolytic enzyme from papaya.
Phospholipids — Cell membrane building blocks; phosphatidylcholine for brain health.
Phosphorus — Essential mineral often overconsumed via food additives.
Phytic Acid — Mineral-binding compound in grains/legumes; also an antioxidant.
Phytonutrients — Bioactive plant compounds beyond essential vitamins and minerals.
Plant Stress Compounds — Defense chemicals in plants that may benefit human health.
Polyphenols — Broad class of plant phenolic compounds (8,000+ identified).
Postbiotics — Beneficial metabolites produced by gut bacteria.
Potassium — Primary intracellular electrolyte; chronically underconsumed.
PQQ — Pyrroloquinoline quinone; stimulates new mitochondria formation.
Prebiotics — Fibers that selectively feed beneficial gut bacteria.
Proteolytic Enzymes — Protein-digesting enzymes used systemically for inflammation.
Q
Quercetin — Ubiquitous flavonoid; anti-inflammatory, senolytic research.
R
Resistant Starch — Prebiotic starch that resists digestion; feeds butyrate-producing bacteria.
Resveratrol — Stilbenoid polyphenol from grapes; sirtuin research and xenohormesis.
S
Saponins — Foaming glycosides; cholesterol-binding and gut effects.
Selenium — Trace mineral for thyroid, glutathione system, and antioxidant defense.
Serrapeptase — Proteolytic enzyme; systemic anti-inflammatory research.
SCFAs — Butyrate, propionate, acetate; products of fiber fermentation.
Silica (Silicon) — Ultra-trace element for collagen and bone.
Strontium — Calcium-like element studied for bone density.
Sulforaphane — Potent NRF2 activator from broccoli/broccoli sprouts.
T
Tannins — Polyphenols that bind iron and proteins; astringent taste.
Taurine — Amino sulfonic acid; bile acids, heart rhythm, longevity research.
Trace Elements — Ultra-trace nutrients still being researched (boron, lithium, etc.).
U
Urolithin A — Gut bacterial metabolite; induces mitophagy.
V
Vanadium — Ultra-trace element with insulin-mimetic properties.
Vitamin A — Retinol and beta-carotene; vision, immunity, skin.
B-Complex — All 8 B vitamins as an interconnected system.
Vitamin C — Ascorbic acid; antioxidant, collagen synthesis, iron enhancer.
Vitamin D — Steroid hormone; calcium absorption, immune modulation, gene expression.
Vitamin E — Tocopherols and tocotrienols; lipid-soluble antioxidant family.
Vitamin K1 — Phylloquinone; blood clotting in the liver.
Vitamin K2 — Menaquinones; calcium routing to bones.
X
Xenohormesis — Hypothesis that plant stress compounds benefit animals that consume them.
Z
Zinc — Trace mineral for 300+ enzymes; immune function, copper balance.