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L-Arginine:
L-Arginine is crystalline, free-form amino acid. It is a important factor in
muscle metabolism and works to transport, store and excrete nitrogen and is
involved in DNA synthesis. It is also a precursor of guanidophosphate,
phosphoarginine, and creatine, three high-energy compounds found in muscles.
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arginine.
L-Leucine: Neutral,
genetically coded amino acid which is essential in human nutrition.
Molecular formula: C6H13NO2.
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leucine.
Lactose
intolerance: The inability to digest lactose because of the failure of
the small intestinal mucosal cells to produce lactase.
Langerhans cells: Epidermal dendritic cell that functions as an
antigen-presenting cell (APC) during an immune response.
Large
intestine: The portion of the gastrointestinal tract extending from the
ileum of the small intestine to the anus, divides structurally into the
cecum, colon, rectum and anal canal.
LDL:
Low
density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins (particles composed of lipids and protein)
are the form in which fats are transported throughout the body, in the
bloodstream. LDL transport cholesterol from the liver to the tissues of the
body. A high proportion of cholesterol carried in LDL (LDL-cholesterol) is
associated with an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular
diseases (heart disease and stroke). Oxidized LDL appear to play an
important role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Left
ventricular hypertrophy (LVH):
Abnormal
thickening of the wall of the left ventricle (lower chamber) of the heart
muscle. The ventricles have muscular walls in order to pump blood from the
heart through the arteries, but LVH occurs when the ventricle must pump
against abnormally high volume or pressure loads. LVH may accompany
congestive heart failure (CHF).
Legumes:
Members
of the large family of plants known as leguminosae. In this context the term
refers to the fruits or seeds of leguminous plants (e.g., peas and beans)
that are used for food.
Lens:
The
transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina
(the nerve cells at the back of the eye).
Lethargy: A condition
of drowsiness or indifference.
Leukemia:
An acute
or chronic form of cancer that involves the blood-forming organs. Leukemia
is characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells
in the tissues of the body with or without a corresponding increase of those
in the circulating blood, and is classified according to the type of white
blood cell most prominently involved.
Leucine: Neutral,
genetically coded amino acid which is essential in human nutrition.
Molecular formula: C6H13NO2
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leucine.
Lipase: An enzyme
that splits fatty acids from triglycerides and phospholipids.
Lipid:
An organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that is usually
insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform;
Different
types of fat molecules. For example, phospholipids, cholesterol,
triglycerides, steroids, eicosanoids.
Lipoic
acid:
A
coenzyme, essential for the oxidation of alpha-keto acids, such as pyruvate,
in metabolism.
Lipid profile: Blood
test that measures total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density
lipoprotein and triglycerides, to assess risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lipolysis: The
splitting of fatty acids from triglyceride (fat) or phospholipid molecules.
Lipoproteins:
Particles
composed of lipids and protein, that allows for transport of fat and
cholesterol through the blood. A lipoprotein particle is composed of an
outer shell of phospholipid, which renders the particle soluble in water; a
core of fats called lipid, including cholesterol and a surface apoprotein
molecule that allows tissues to recognize and take up the particle.
Lp(a)
lipoprotein:
A
lipoprotein particle in which the protein (apolipoproteinB-100) is
chemically linked to another protein apolipoprotein(a). Increased blood
levels of Lp(a) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular
diseases.
Lumbar
spine:
The
portion of the spine, commonly referred to as the small of the back. The
lumbar portion of the spine is located between the thorax (chest) and the
pelvis.
Lupus:
Also
known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus is a chronic inflammatory
condition caused by an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease occurs when
the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. Individuals with
lupus have unusual antibodies in their blood that are targeted against their
own body tissues.
Lymphocyte:
A white
blood cell that creates an immune response when activated by a foreign
molecule (antigen). T lymphocytes or T-cells develop in an organ called the
thymus and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, while B-lymphocytes
develop in the bone marrow and are responsible for the production of
antibodies (immunoglobulins).
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