Ixcela Glossary

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate that contains two monosaccharide compounds.


Dysbiosis

A microbial imbalance on or inside the body.


Enzyme

A substance produced by an organism that acts as a catalyst to initiate specific chemical reactions in the body.


Gut Microbiota

Refers to the population of bacteria living in the gut.


Metabolism

The continuous reactions happening in the body that build up and break down chemicals needed to support life.


Metabolite

Small molecules involved in or produced during metabolism.


Metabolome

The complete collection of small molecules, or metabolites, present within an organism.


Microbe (or microorganism/microscopic organism)

An organism that is too small to see with the naked eye (Examples: bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites).


Microbiome

Group of microorganisms living in one environment, specifically in the gastrointestinal tract when referenced in Ixcela materials.



Monosaccharide

A simple sugar compound that serves as a building block for carbohydrates.


Monounsaturated Fat

A type of dietary fat that is liquid at room temperature. Mono- refers to the one double bond found along the fatty acid chain. (Examples of monounsaturated fats include avocado, nuts, sesame oil, and olive oil.)


Oligosaccharide

A carbohydrate that contains several monosaccharide compounds (typically between three and ten molecules)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids (essential meaning they cannot be synthesized by the body) that are found in foods like fatty fish, walnuts, and flax and chia seeds

Polyunsaturated Fat

A type of dietary fat that is liquid at room temperature. Poly- refers to the multiple double bonds found along the fatty acid chain. (Examples of polyunsaturated fats include fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.)

Prebiotic

Dietary fiber that is indigestible to humans, but promotes the growth of the beneficial bacteria living in the gut.

Probiotic

Beneficial bacteria, found in food or supplements, that can promote the health and population of the bacteria living in the intestines

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)

The amount of energy expended by a person at rest.

Saccharide

A term for carbohydrate or, more specifically, sugar.

Saturated Fat

A type of dietary fat that is solid at room temperature. (Examples include butter, palm oil, and coconut oil, and it can be found in cheese, red meat, and other animal-based foods.)

Total Energy Expenditure (TEE)

The amount of energy expended by a person in one day, including exercise and activities of daily living.

Unsaturated Fat

A type of dietary fat that is liquid at room temperature. There are two types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.