Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
Para aminobenzoic acid
A chemical compound that is one of the most commonly used ingredients in sunscreens. The derivatives made from it—such as Padimate O—effectively screen out the ultraviolet rays responsible for sunburn, but don’t offer protection against the full spectrum, including those that may play a role in skin cancer.
-
Oxalic acid
A substance that, when joined with calcium in the body, forms insoluble salts and hinders iron absorption from food. It is found in such vegetables as spinach, chard, and rhubarb. A toxic acid that occurs in various plants and is found in chocolate. A two-carbon dicarboxylate found in foods especially rhubarb, spinach, parsley, cocoa, and…
-
Over the counter (OTC)
A designation for a drug that can be sold without a prescription. Common OTCs include laxatives, cough and cold medicines, pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, and antacids. A description applied in the UK to medicines and drugs that can be obtained from a pharmacist without a doctor’s or dentist’s prescription. Some medications may…
-
Off-label use
The practice whereby a doctor prescribes a drug or combination of drugs for a condition that has not been specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once a drug has been approved for one purpose, doctors are generally free to prescribe it to treat any condition. About half of all prescriptions are for…
-
Occult blood test
A diagnostic test performed on a stool sample for the presence of unseen (occult) blood, which may indicate colon cancer. Also called a fecal occult blood test. A chemical test or microscopic examination for blood, especially in feces, that is not apparent on visual inspection. The test is used as a screening test for cancer…
-
NSAIDs
An abbreviation for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are used to treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation in such conditions as arthritis, tendinitis, backache, or sprains. Common over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis).
-
Non-rem sleep
The deepest stages of sleep, characterized by a general absence of body movement and slow, regular brain activity.
-
Monounsaturated fatty acids
Fats consisting of a large percentage of unsaturated fatty acids that lack a single pair of hydrogen atoms. Olive, peanut, canola, and avocado oils are largely monounsaturated. These fats may be able to reduce total cholesterol by decreasing the amount of damaging LDL cholesterol in the blood without producing a reduction, or as much of…
-
Microminerals
The minerals present in the body in small amounts (less than five grams). Also known as trace minerals, these include chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, and zinc. The body must replenish these from foods. A micromineral can be defined as a mineral that is required in amounts…
-
Megadose
A quantity of a vitamin or mineral that far exceeds the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). In some cases, megadoses can be toxic and cause severe side effects. A large quantity of medication. In general, a megadose is a high intake of a vitamin or mineral. Some experts have defined a megadose as at least 10…
Got any book recommendations?