Glossary - "D-E"
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Daily Value (DV, or %DV) – how much of a nutrient in a single serving of an individually packaged food or dietary supplement contributes to your daily diet. For example, if the DV for a particular nutrient is 300 micrograms (mcg) and a packaged food or supplement has 30 mcg in one serving, the %DV for that nutrient in a product serving would be 10%. If you ate one serving of the product, you would have met 10% of your need for that nutrient daily and could consume other foods or supplements to get the additional 90%.
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Dairy – food products made from milk, which includes yogurt, cream, cheese, milk, and butter. Contrary to some popular beliefs, eggs are not considered dairy products. Some people avoid some or all dairy products either because of allergies (e.g., lactose intolerance), veganism, or other health reasons or beliefs. Lactose intolerance symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea.
D-Ribose – a type of simple (5 carbon) sugar, or carbohydrate, that our bodies make. It is an essential component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which supplies energy to our cells. Without sufficient energy, cells cannot maintain integrity and function. It has been studied as a treatment for people with heart failure or energy deficits, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It is also helpful for athletes looking to increase energy, boost stamina, enhance athletic performance, and aid in recovery from strenuous athletic or other physically demanding activities. However, these claims have yet to be validated by the FDA.
Dehydration – water makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body. It is essential to be properly hydrated. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in. When the regular water content of your body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugar) in your body, affecting how it functions. Dehydration is especially dangerous for young children and older adults or anyone undertaking intense physical activity, living in extreme conditions, recovering from illness, or taking medicines that offset the balance in the body. Symptoms include dry mouth, excessive thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. Serious complications from dehydration include cramps, heat stroke, urinary and kidney problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, and even shock. The best way to keep from dehydrating is to always consume adequate amounts of water (or similar hydrating fluids), particularly before any strenuous activity. You must also consume additional fluids during and after strenuous activity to replace the fluids lost from sweating. Sports or hydration drinks that contain essential nutrients called electrolytes may be used to restore the proper balance of water, and other lost nutrients in the body to aid the process. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women. When exercising, facing extreme conditions, or undertaking strenuous physical activity, the following guidelines are recommended: Before Exercise: Start your activity well-hydrated. You should drink 16-24 fl. oz. of water within the 2 hours before undertaking the activity. And then again, at 10-20 minutes before activity, consume another 7-10 fl. oz. of water. During Exercise: Consume approximately 6-12 fl. oz. every 10-20 minutes throughout your activity. Do not just drink when you feel thirsty - that is often too late! After Exercise: If possible, check your weight before and after undertaking the activity. You should replace every one lb. of loss in weight with 16-24 fl. oz. of water. The total fluid consumed should be focused within 2 hours of activity, however fully finished within 6 hours.
Dextrose (Glucose) is a natural sugar from corn or wheat. It is about 3/4 of the sweetness of sugar. It is almost identical to glucose, the sugar found in the bloodstream. For that reason, it can be quickly used as a source of energy by the human body. It has a high glycemic index. Dextrose is given by injection to treat insulin shock (low blood sugar caused by using insulin and not eating a meal or eating enough food afterward). See the definition for "sweeteners" for further information and comparison to other options.
DFE (Dietary Folate Equivalent) – units that account for the differences in the absorption of food folate and synthetic folic acid obtained from dietary supplements or food fortified with folic acid. For most adults, 100% DV for folate is 400 micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (DFE) or 400 mcg DFE. Women who are not pregnant or nursing should consume 100% DV (400 mcg DFE per day) of folate to prevent anemia (low number of red blood cells).
Diabetes – a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your body breaks down most of the food into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy. With diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it as well as it should. When insufficient insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. While the amount of sugar you consume does not directly cause diabetes, sugary foods, and drinks can lead to excess weight gain, and you are more likely to get diabetes if you are overweight and not physically active.
Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) – a set of scientifically developed reference values for nutrients. DRI values provide the scientific basis for nutrition professionals, governments, and non-governmental organizations to carry out activities such as developing nutrition labels, developing dietary guidelines and food guides, ensuring foods and supplements contain safe levels of nutrients, creating patient, consumer counseling, and educational programs, assessing nutrient intakes, and monitoring the nutritional health of the population. DRIS must remain up to date to support the health of people living in the United States.
Dihydromyricetin (DHM) – is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plant species and is thought to be the active ingredient of several traditional Japanese, Chinese, and Korean medicines that are used to treat fever, parasite infections, liver diseases, and hangovers. It has been shown to counteract acute alcohol intoxication and help to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms as well as reduce the susceptibility to anxiety and seizures. However, these claims have yet to be validated by the FDA.
Diuretic – any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. Surprisingly, some beverages designed to quench your thirst or rehydrate your body include diuretics. This is counter-intuitive to hydration, as diuretics make you lose fluids. For example, one popular sweetener in sports drinks is stevia, which is a known diuretic. So, if your goal is to hydrate your body, avoid drinks containing known diuretics (including stevia).
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) – an omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water, fatty fish, such as salmon. Vegetarian sources of DHA come from seaweed. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart, and your body needs DHA for a healthy brain. It is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. It is also required for the maintenance of normal brain function in adults.
Effervescent – the escape of gas from an aqueous solution and the foaming or fizzing that results from that release.
Egg White Protein – comparable to whey and plant-based supplements with around 24 grams of protein per serving, egg white protein is slower to digest. It contains slightly less leucine (a branched-chain amino acid linked with muscle-building) than whey protein. However, it is faster digesting and higher in leucine than most plant-based products. It is a safe option for those allergic to whey, have dairy allergies, or follow a paleo-style diet.
Elderberry – elderberries are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory properties. They can support and boost the immune system to prevent, aid in muscle recovery, and treat pain and illness, including symptoms of influenza. Be sure to cook raw elderberries before eating them. Consuming raw elderberries can put you at risk of cyanide poisoning, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is not an issue when using
Elderberry Extract, which has already been commercially prepared for consumption.
Electrolyte Balance – the ideal sodium-to-potassium intake ratio is roughly 1:3. However, the average person's diet contains higher amounts of sodium. The actual ratio consumed is closer to 1:1. For nutrients to be used quickly and efficiently, they must be balanced with the body's natural state. So, when consuming hydration products that contain electrolytes, look for a ratio of 1:3 for sodium to potassium whenever possible.
Electrolytes – essential minerals vital to many critical functions of the body - regulate muscle contractions, keep you hydrated, help balance your pH levels, and control your central nervous system functions. Signs of being low on electrolytes include fatigue, headache, nausea, blood pressure changes, muscle cramps, and low energy. Electrolyte depletion can occur from being sick or run down, urinating, extreme or strenuous exercising or activity that causes you to sweat, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, or simply not drinking enough fluids to stay properly hydrated. Shockingly, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
Calcium (Ca) – one of the six electrolytes and the most abundant mineral in the body. It is stored in bones and teeth, giving them structure and hardness. Your body also needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages between your brain and every part of
your body. Calcium–rich foods include milk, cheese, yogurt, leafy green vegetables, sardines, and salmon. Growing children and teenagers
need more calcium than young adults. The RDA of calcium for an adult is approximately 1,000 mg.
Chloride (Cl) – one of the six electrolytes that plays a crucial role in maintaining cell homeostasis and transmitting action potentials in
neurons. It is also one of the ingredients in table salt (Sodium Chloride). It is also found in many vegetables. Foods with higher amounts of
chloride include seaweed, rye, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, and olives. Most Americans probably get more chloride than they need from table
salt and the salt in prepared foods. Too little chloride in the body can occur when your body loses many fluids. This may be due to heavy
sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Medicines such as diuretics can also cause low chloride levels. Too much sodium chloride can increase your
blood pressure and cause a buildup of fluid for those who have congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney disease. The RDA of chloride for
an adult is 2,300 mg.
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Magnesium (Mg) – one of the six electrolytes - essential for maintaining normal nerve and muscle function, supporting a healthy immune
system, keeping the heartbeat steady, and helping bones remain strong. It also helps adjust blood glucose levels. It aids in the production of
energy and protein. It is essential for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Signs of magnesium deficiency can include nausea,
constipation, headaches, nighttime leg cramps, numbness in the legs or hands, body weakness, tremors, and heart palpitations. If you do not
get enough magnesium in your diet over a long period, you may be at a higher risk of health problems such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes
or osteoporosis. The RDA for magnesium for adults is 420mg (men) and 320mg (women).
Phosphorus (P) – one of the six electrolytes and an essential element of bones, teeth, and cell membranes. It helps to activate enzymes and
keeps blood pH within a normal range. It is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as meats, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and dairy products.
Phosphorus in animal foods is absorbed more quickly than in plant foods. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite,
anxiety, bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change. In children,
decreased growth and poor bone and tooth development may occur. The RDA for phosphorus for adults is 700mg.
Potassium (K) – is one of the six electrolytes; its central role in the body is to help maintain normal fluid levels inside our cells. Sodium, its
counterpart, maintains normal fluid levels outside of cells. Potassium also helps muscles to contract and supports normal blood pressure.
Foods high in potassium include leafy vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard, avocado, sweet potato, bok choy, white beans, beets, Brussel
sprouts, broccoli, cantaloupe, and bananas. Symptoms of potassium deficiency include muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, heart palpitations,
tingling and numbness, and constipation. The RDA for potassium for adults is 4,700mg.
Sodium (Na) – one of the six electrolytes and an essential nutrient that the body needs in relatively small amounts (provided that substantial sweating does not occur) to maintain a balance of body fluids and keep muscles and nerves running smoothly. However, most Americans
eat too much of it and may not even know it. Most processed foods and many popular sports drinks contain high amounts of sodium. The
immediate symptoms of consuming too much sodium include increased thirst, swollen hands or feet, headache, and a rise in blood pressure.
Consistently consuming too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. The RDA for
sodium for adults is 1,500mg. However, the average consumption is 3,400mg, over two times the recommended amount.
Eleuthero Root (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) – a woody shrub sometimes called Siberian ginseng. It is not a true ginseng. It is often considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are a class of substances that are believed to stimulate the body's resistance to physical, environmental, and emotional stressors. It contains many chemicals that affect the brain, immune system, and certain hormones. It is used for diabetes, athletic performance, memory, thinking skills, the common cold, and many other conditions, but no good scientific evidence supports most of these uses. It might cause a pounding heart, irregular heartbeat, or high blood pressure in people with heart disorders. If you have a heart condition, only use it under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Emulsifier – numerous chemical additives that encourage the suspension of one liquid in another, as in the mixture of oil and water used in margarine, shortening, ice cream, and salad dressing. Several emulsifiers are derived from algae: algin, carrageenan, and agar. Others include soy lecithin, xanthan gum, guar gum, and chia extract. They can be man-made or natural. They also give these foods a smooth texture and increase their shelf life.
Enduramin – a proprietary brand of electrolytes that also includes branch chain amino acids (BCAAs), commercially owned by Yoli, Inc. that claim to promote faster recovery from physical exertion. However, the FDA still needs to validate these claims.
Endurance – the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant, or painful for a long time; for example, running a marathon is a test of human endurance. Many foods and beverages include ingredients that provide the energy or fuel needed for high endurance and extreme events. To support endurance, these ingredients must be available over a sustained period. These include carbohydrates, caffeine, creatine, taurine, protein, some vitamins, iron, glutamine, and BCAAs.
Enzymes – special proteins that are very good at converting things from one form to another. They do this by kicking off the chemical reactions needed for the conversion. The kinds of enzymes a microbe makes determine what type of metabolism the microbe will use to harness energy and grow. They also provide insight into the disease process by diagnosis, prognosis, and response therapy assessment.
Erythritol – a type of carbohydrate called sugar alcohol - is one of the most common artificial sweeteners available. It is about 70% of the sweetness of sugar and has a zero glycemic index. It is popular in foods marketed for weight loss and diabetes. However, research suggests that erythritol and other artificial sweeteners may have serious health risks and may be worse for you than table sugar. See the definition for "sweeteners" for further information and comparison to other options.
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