Max Biocare :: Obesity, Weight Management Products

Adipose tissue: also known as fat tissue. Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body. Adipose tissue also serves as an important endocrine organ by producing hormones such as leptin and resistin.

Amino Acids: the building blocks of proteins

Anorexia nervosa: an eating disorder in which people do not eat correctly due to the obsessive fear of weight gain.

Atherosclerosis: a disease affecting arterial blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of the arteries caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.

Body mass index (BMI): (or Quetelet index) a measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height. Body mass index may be accurately calculated using either of the formulas below.

BMI _(metric) = weight (kg)/height² (m²)

BMI _(Imperial)= (weight (Ib) x 703)/height² (in²); alternatively

BMI _(Imperial) = (weight (Ib) x 4.88)/height² (ft²)

Bulimia nervosa: an eating disorder characterised by recurrent binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors, referred to as "purging". This purging often involves self-induced vomiting; fasting, the use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, and over exercising.

Carbohydrates: the most common form of energy and simpler to breakdown than proteins and fat. Foods that are high in carbohydrates include bread, pasta, beans, potatoes, bran, rice and cereals. The World Health Organization recommends that carbohydrates should make up 55-75% of the total energy intake, with 10% of total energy intake in the form of free sugars (simple carbohydrates).

Cardiovascular disease: refers to diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). By the time heart problems are detected, the underlying cause (often atherosclerosis) is usually quite advanced, having progressed for decades. Therefore it is important to modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise and avoidance of smoking.

Diabetes: (Diabetes mellitus type 2 or Type 2 Diabetes) is a metabolic disorder that is primarily characterised by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency, and hyperglycemia. This condition is rapidly increasing in the developed world in adults and children. Often linked to obesity, it can lead to other health problems including cardiovascular disease, loss of eye sight, and infertility/impotence and a shortened life.

Fats: (or lipids) from animal origin, are obtained from milk, meat and under the skin of the animal. Examples of edible plant fats are peanut, soya bean, sunflower, sesame, coconut, olive, and vegetable oils.

Hyperglycaemia: (Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar) is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma.

Insulin: a hormone with intensive effects on both metabolism and several other body systems. Insulin causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood, storing it in liver and muscle, and stops use of fat as an energy source.

Leptin: a hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism. Leptin is one of the most important adipose derived hormones.

Macronutrients: nutrients we require in larger quantities such as carbohydrates, fat and protein.

Micronutrients: are nutrients needed for life in small quantities. This includes minerals or trace elements iron, cobalt, chromium, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and molybdenum, and vitamins A, B group (including folic acid), C, D, E K, and betacarotenoids.

Morbidly obese: when a person has a BMI of 40+, their risk of a shortened life have increased dramatically.

Obesity: a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected. Commonly defined as a body mass index (weight divided by height squared) of 30 kg/m² or higher. There is a link between excessive body weight and some conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity has also been found to reduce life expectancy.

Osteoarthritis: where inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by abnormal wearing of the cartilage and reduced synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As the bone surfaces become less protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing.

Overweight: a condition is commonly defined as a body mass index (weight divided by height squared) of 25-29.9. While not obese, progression of this condition can lead to obesity and its associated problems.

Protein: large compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain. Proteins, along with carbohydrates and fats are the building blocks of life, from hormones and neurotransmitters, through to cell structure and the organism as a whole.

Resistin: a hormone secreted by adipose tissue that appears to be involved in insulin resistance. Resistin is been linked to obesity and other conditions including inflammation and energy homeostasis.

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and such episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep. Symptoms may be present for several years without identification, during which the sufferer may have become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.

PM AusCal: PM AusCal have been specially formulated to maximise the absorption of minerals and other nutrients to increase bone density. PM AusCal assists in the prevention of calcium deficiencies and in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Due to increased calcium requirements, PM AusCal is beneficial to women and children throughout their lives, but more so during pregnancy and breastfeeding; and also later on in life during pre-, peri-, and post-menopause. PM AusCal is a good source of minerals for bone development.

PM Kids Intelligent: Kids Intelligent is specifically formulated to assist child development through nutritional support. Kids Intelligent assists nervous system development, aiding learning ability through improved concentration and memory retention while reducing hyperactivity and restlessness. Kids Intelligent consists of nutrients essential for cognitive function and development.

PM Meno-care: Specifically formulated to improve the wellbeing of women, PM Meno-care has been used clinically to alleviate menstrual problems through the relief of menstrual pain and cramps, pre-menstrual breast pain, symptomatic relief of symptoms/syndrome, heavy and irregular periods, and relief of pre-menstrual tension/syndrome. PM Meno-care is also formulated to assist in the management of menopause, and provide relief of menopausal symptoms, including physical (hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness) and psychological (irritability) symptoms, preliminary clinical trials have demonstrated that PM Meno-care provides additional health benefits throughout a women's life.

PM Procare: To be taken before, during and after pregnancy. PM Procare / Natalcare is a pregnancy and breastfeeding formula that provides important nutrients to assist mothers with their body's increased nutritional demand and for their baby's development. If taken daily one month before conception and during pregnancy, PM Procare / Natalcare can contribute to a normal pregnancy. By combining essential nutrients this formulation also assists in the improvement and maintenance of general wellbeing.

Glossary