ABETALIPOPROTEINEMIA: A disorder characterized by an absence from plasma of low-density lipoproteins, leading to a variety of problems associated with fat metabolism.

ABSORPTION: the process whereby nutrients pass through the intestines into the blood stream to be used by the body.

ACETOACETIC ACID: one of the ketone bodies composed of two molecules of acetyl-CoA; the end product of incomplete fatty acid oxidation, which may exist in starvation or in uncontrolled diabetes.

ACETONE: a dimethyl ketone with a pleasant ethereal odor that is the end product of unoxidized acetoacetic acid.

ACETYLCHOLINE: a neurotransmitter; acts as a vasodilator and depresses cardiac function.

ACHLORHYDRIA: an absence of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice that can accompany aging.

ACID: a compound yielding a hydrogen ion in a polar solvent, such as water; any chemical compound that has a sour taste.

ACID-BASE BALANCE: dynamic state of equilibrium with regard to hydrogen ion concentration in the body.

ACIDOSIS: the excessive accumulation of acid or hydrogen ions, or the loss of base from the body.

ACIDURIA: presence of acid in the urine.

ACQUIRED INDISPENSABLE AMINO ACIDS: may become indispensable in immaturity, in states of metabolic disorder, and/or during severe stress. Include: cysteine, tyrosine, arginine, citrulline, taurine.

ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA: a genetically transmitted eczematous disease linked to malabsorption of zinc.

ACTIVE SITE: that part of the enzyme surface on which the reaction take place.

ACTIVE TRANSPORT: movement of substances across a membrane against the concentration gradient, requiring energy expenditure.

ACUTE: sharp or intense; disease or illness that begins suddenly, reaches a peak rapidly, and then subsides after a short period.

ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE (ATP): a high-energy molecule involved in energy metabolism and RNA synthesis; required for many chemical reactions in the body.

ADEQUATE INTAKE (AI): recommended daily intake level based on observed or experimentally determined approximations of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of healthy people; these nutrient recommendations are used when a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) cannot be determined.

ADIPOSE: of or related to animal fat; the fat found in adipose tissue.

ADRENAL GLANDS: glands located at the upper end of each kidney. The cortex produces estrogen, androgen, progesterone, aldosterone, and cortisone; the medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

ADRENERGIC SYMPTOMS: symptoms of hypoglycemia that arise from the action of the autonomic nervous system.

ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES: hormones of the adrenal cortex: aldosterone and cortisone.

AEROBIC: living or occurring only in the presence of oxygen.

AEROBIC CAPACITY: the maximum amount of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs in a given amount of time.

AEROBIC EXERCISE: exercise that increases oxygen uptake and improves cardiovascular fitness, such as jogging, brisk walking, or cycling.

AFLATOXIN: a potent and sometimes lethal (carcinogenic) fungal toxin that can be found on peanuts and cereal grains, particularly in climates of high temperature and humidity.

AGE-ASSOCIATED OSTEOPOROSIS (Type II): a loss of density in both cortical and trabecular bone that occurs in elderly of both sexes after age 70; characterized by wedge fractures of the thoracic vertebrae that lead to back pain, loss of height, and “dowager’s hump.”

ALBUMIN: a protein in the blood which serves as an indicator of protein status; contributes to maintenance of appropriate osmotic pressure and fluid balance between extracellular and intracellular fluids.

ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE: a liver enzyme that converts ethanol to acetaldehyde; the first step in alcohol metabolism.

ALDOSTERONE: an adrenocortical hormone that acts on the distal tubules of the kidney to resorb sodium and water, and to excrete potassium.

ALKALOSIS: excessive accumulation of base, or the loss of hydrogen ions or acid from the body.

ALLERGEN: a substance that is capable of producing an allergic response in the body.

ALLERGY: a hypersensitive state caused by the interaction of an allergen with an antibody.

ALLICIN: a sulfur compound contained in garlic, which is responsible for garlic’s odor; acts as an antibacterial agent.

ALLYL SULFIDES: organosulfur phytochemicals found in allium vegetables (chive, garlic, leek, onion, shallot); may act as cancer-blocking or cancer-suppressing agents.

ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL: the form of vitamin E having the highest biologic activity.

AMENORRHEA: absence or abnormal stoppage of menses. Often occurs in females who regularly exercise vigorously, and in females who have low percents of body fat.

AMINO ACID (AA): an organic compound containing an amino group (NH2) and a carboxyl group (COOH), which functions as one of the building blocks of protein.

AMINO GROUP: NH2; one nitrogen and two hydrogens.

AMYLASE: an enzyme found in the saliva (ptyalin) and small intestine that hydrolyzes starch to dextrin and maltose.

AMYLOPHAGIA: a form of pica involving consumption of excessive amounts of starch, such as laundry starch.

AMYLOPECTIN: a form of starch; branched chains of glucose units.

AMYLOSE: a form of starch; long straight chains of glucose units.

ANABOLISM: the building up in the body of complex chemical compounds from smaller, simpler compounds, usually with the use of energy.

ANAEROBIC: living or occurring without the presence of oxygen.

ANAPHYLAXIS: an acute, often severe, and sometimes fatal immune response that may affect any body system.

ANDROID FAT DEPOSITION: deposition of fat around the waist and upper abdomen; “apple-shape” fat distribution.

ANEMIA: a deficiency in the size or number of RBCs, or in the amount of hemoglobin they contain that limits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the tissues.

ANEURYSM: the ballooning out of an artery wall at a point where it has been weakened by deterioration.

ANGINA PECTORIS: chest pain with sensations of suffocation caused by temporary reduction of oxygen to the heart muscle through narrowed, diseased coronary arteries.

ANGULAR STOMATITIS: inflammation at the corners of the mouth.

ANOREXIA NERVOSA: an eating disorder characterized by refusal to eat and a loss of at least 25% of body weight. Also, body image, sense of control, and family and social relationship abnormalities.

ANTACID: an agent that neutralizes acid in the stomach, esophagus, or first part of the duodenum.

ANTIBODY: a protein molecule from the immune system that counteracts the effects of invading organisms and other foreign species.

ANTICHOLINERGIC AGENT: blocks the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system that are mediated by acetylcholine.

ANTIDIABETIC AGENT: drug used to control diabetes; lowers blood glucose levels.

ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE: a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary that is responsible for resorption of water by the distal portion of the kidney tubules, and thus the control of water excretion.

ANTIGEN: any substance that can elicit the formation of an antibody specific for that substance when introduced into a foreign species.

ANTIHISTAMINE: an agent that prevents histamine from acting on body tissues.

ANTIOXIDANT: an agent that inhibits oxidation and thus prevents rancidity of oils or fats or the deterioration of other materials through oxidative processes; includes vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, SOD, coenzyme Q, catalase, glutathione.

ANTIVITAMIN: a substance that interferes with the synthesis or metabolism of vitamins.

APOENZYME: an enzyme before attachment of its coenzyme or prosthetic group; nonfunctional.

APPETITE: a natural desire to eat, especially when food is present.

ARACHIDONIC ACID: an unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acid that is a precursor of prostaglandin synthesis.

ARRHYTHMIA: abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS: thickening, hardening, or loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries.

ARTERY: a vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

ASCORBIC ACID: one form of vitamin C.

ASPARTAME: a dipeptide sweetener composed of the amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid.

ASSIMILATION: after food is broken down by digestion, it is then absorbed (assimilated) by passing through the intestinal walls.

ATHEROGENIC: having the capacity to initiate, increase, or accelerate the formation of atheromas.

ATHEROMA: mass of plaque composed of lipids, cholesterol, and degenerated, thickened arterial intima occurring in atherosclerosis.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS: a thickening and narrowing of the walls of the large and medium-sized blood vessels caused by the invasion of lipids, primarily cholesterol and other materials, into the intimal or inner layer to form plaque. The major type of arteriosclerosis.

ATROPHY: wasting of a cell, tissue, or part.

ATROPHIC GASTRITIS: chronic inflammation of the stomach lining with loss of mucosal cells and reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl).

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: the division of the vertebrate nervous system that regulates involuntary actions, as of the intestines, heart, and glands, and comprises the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

AVIDIN: the protein in raw egg whites that binds biotin.

BASAL ENERGY EXPENDITURE (BEE): the amount of energy used in 24 hours by a person who is lying quietly, 12 hours after the last meal, in a comfortable temperature and environment. The energy expended in maintenance of basal metabolic processes or involuntary activities in the body (respiration, circulation, gastrointestinal function, muscle tone, and body temperature) and functional activities of organs.

BASAL METABOLIC RATE (BMR): the basal energy expenditure expressed as kcal/kg body weight/hr.

BASE: a water-soluble, bitter compound capable of neutralizing an acid to form a salt; yields a hydroxyl ion.

BERIBERI: thiamin deficiency disease; affects peripheral nerves and the heart.

BETA-CAROTENE: a precursor of vitamin A found in plant foods, especially dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits.

BETA-OXIDATION: the process of fatty acid catabolism, in which two-carbon fragments are removed in succession from the carboxyl end of the chain.

BICARBONATE: an alkaline secretion of the pancreas that helps to neutralize the acidic chyme.

BILE: a bitter, alkaline brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow liquid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the duodenum and that aids in digestion, chiefly by saponifying fats; made from cholesterol.

BILE ACID SEQUESTRANT: a medication that adsorbs cholesterol-containing bile acids and prevents their absorption back into the blood stream.

BIOAVAILABILITY: the degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue.

BIOCHEMICAL MALNUTRITION: abnormal levels of constituents (in body fluids and waste products) indicative of normal nutritional state that can be attributed to excess or deficiency of nutrient intake; precedes clinical malnutrition.

BIOFLAVONOID: naturally occurring flavone or coumarin derivatives having the activity of the so-called vitamin P; found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

BIOLOGICAL VALUE: a measure of protein quality; the amount of protein nitrogen that is retained from a given amount of protein nitrogen that has been digested and absorbed.

BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER: a barrier composed of the cells lining the blood vessels in the brain, which are highly selective in what they allow to pass into the brain.

BODY IMAGE: a mental picture a person has of his or her physical self.

BODY IMAGE DISTORTION: an abnormal or untrue view of one’s body size.

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI): weight divided by height (kg/m²); a definition of the level of adiposity.

BOLUS: the portion of food swallowed at one time.

BONE REMODELING: the process by which bone is continually dismantled and reformed in order to repair itself, grow, adapt to stresses and strains, and furnish calcium for other body needs.

BOTULISM: food poisoning caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum.

BRADYCARDIA: abnormal slowness of the heart rate and pulse.

BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACIDS: the amino acids valine, isoleucine, and leucine.

BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE (BAT): fat located in the scapular area that is involved in heat production for cold adaptation, and possibly burning off excess energy; especially important in hibernating animals.

BRUSH BORDER: the microvilli that greatly increase the surface area of the intestinal mucosal cell.

BULIMIA NERVOSA: an eating disorder that is characterized by periods of binging and purging, unrealistic ideas about food, and distortion of body image.

BUTYRATE (butyric acid): a short-chain fatty acid that is the preferred fuel of intestinal cells; produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber.

CALCIFICATION: the process in which calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals crystallize on the collagen matrix of a growing bone, hardening it.

CALCITONIN: a hormone that opposes the action of parathyroid hormone in regulating blood calcium levels and bone mineralization.

CALCITRIOL: metabolically active form of vitamin D produced by the kidney and which functions as a hormone.

CALMODULIN: a protein that relays calcium’s messages.

CALORIE: the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 ml of water at a standard initial temperature by 1̊ C.

CANCER CACHEXIA: the weak, malnourished, and emaciated condition that results from cancer.

CAPILLARY: a small vessel that branches from an artery, connecting the artery to a vein. This is where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste materials takes place.

CARBOHYDRATES: organic compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Often abbreviated CHO. In their simplest form, the general formula is CnH2nOn. They vary from simple sugars containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms to very complex polymers.

CARBOXYL GROUP: COOH; one carbon, two oxygens, and one hydrogen; a characteristic of all organic acids.

CARCINOGEN: a substance which produces cancer.

CARDIOMYOPATHY: a subacute or chronic disorder of the heart muscle.

CARNITINE: a vitamin-like cofactor that facilitates transfer of long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membranes for use as an energy source.

CAROTENEMIA: the presence of high levels of carotene in the blood resulting in yellow appearance of the skin.

CAROTENOIDS: yellow or red pigments found in carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy vegetables, milk fat, and egg yolk; some can be converted into vitamin A in the body; some appear to be protective against cancer. Beta-Carotene is one of hundreds.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: tingling and numbness in part of the hand and wrist, and shooting pains up the arm, caused by swelling of tissue surrounding a nerve that passes through the wrist bones. Associated with repetitive movements. Now called repetitive strain injury.

CASEIN: the principal protein of cow’s milk.

CATABOLISM: the breaking down in the body of complex chemical compounds into simpler ones, often accompanied by the liberation of energy.

CATALYST: a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being changed itself.

CATHARTIC: a strong laxative; purgative.

CECUM: the large blind pouch forming the beginning of the large intestine.

CELIAC DISEASE: condition resulting from lack of the enzyme necessary to break down the protein in gluten present in wheat and some other grains; results in diarrhea, steatorrhea, and general malabsorption, unless gluten is eliminated from the diet.

CELLULAR THEORY: a theory that relates aging to the creation of cross-linkages between macromolecules.

CELLULOSE: a structural carbohydrate in plant material that resists hydrolysis in the human digestive tract.

CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT (CVA): a stroke or aneurysm in the brain.

CERULOPLASMIN: a plasma protein that transports copper and acts as an oxidase.

CHEILOSIS: fissures of lips and mouth due to dietary riboflavin deficiency.

CHELATE: a complex formed between a metal ion and a polar molecule.

CHEMICAL SCORE: a rating of the quality of a test protein arrived at by comparing its amino acid pattern with that of a reference protein.

CHOLECALCIFEROL: vitamin D3; animal derived.

CHOLESTASIS: retention and accumulation of bile in the liver due to factors within or outside the liver.

CHOLESTEROL: the chief steroid in the body; found in all tissues, especially the brain, nerves, adrenal cortex, and liver. It is a constituent of bile and serves as a precursor of vitamin D. Cholesterol within the body comes from two sources: (1) exogenous, or dietary, cholesterol, chiefly from egg yolk, liver and other organ meats, and dairy products; and (2) endogenous cholesterol, synthesized by the liver and other organs, such as the adrenal cortex, skin, and intestines. Cholesterol circulates in the blood as lipoprotein in combination with protein and other blood lipids. LDL fractions are strongly related to the incidence of coronary heart disease, while HDL fractions are inversely related to this disease.

CHOLECYSTOKININ: a hormone produced by the upper intestinal mucosa that stimulates contraction of the gallbladder and secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes.

CHOLESTYRAMINE: a drug used to lower blood cholesterol or lipid levels.

CHRONIC: prolonged; a disease that develops slowly and persists for a long time, possibly for the remaining years of life.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD): any disorder, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema, marked by persistent obstruction of bronchial air flow.

CHYLOMICRONS: droplets consisting of triglyceride, cholesterol, phospholipids, and protein that are the form by which absorbed long-chain triglycerides and cholesterol are transported from the intestine into the intestinal blood or lymphatic system.

CHYME: the semifluid, homogeneous, gruel-like material produced by the gastric digestion of food that is expelled by the stomach into the duodenum.

CIRRHOSIS: irreversible liver damage involving death of liver cells and their replacement by scar tissue; often associated with alcoholism.

CLINICAL MALNUTRITION: changes in skin, hair, membranes, or growth that can be attributed to an excessive or deficient intake of a nutrient or nutrients.

COBALAMIN: vitamin B12, a cobalt-containing complex.

COENZYME: a nonprotein compound, usually a vitamin or mineral, which forms the active portion of an enzyme.

COENZYME Q10: a ubiquinone that has redox properties, enabling it to function as a fat-soluble antioxidant; an essential component of the electron transport chain.

COFACTOR: a mineral that, like a coenzyme, works with an enzyme to facilitate a chemical reaction.

COLLAGEN: the major protein of the white fibers of connective tissue, cartilage, and bone, which is insoluble in water.

COLON: the section of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.

COLOSTRUM: the thin, yellow, milky fluid secreted by the mammary gland a few days before and after birth, prior to secretion of mature milk.

COMBINATION THERAPY: a form of therapy for diabetes using combinations of oral medication or a combination of oral medications and insulin injections.

COMPLEMENTARY PROTEINS: two or more proteins whose amino acid profiles complement each other in such a way that the essential amino acids missing from each are supplied by the other.

COMPLETE PROTEIN: a protein containing all the amino acids essential in human nutrition in adequate amounts.

COMPLETELY DISPENSABLE AMINO ACIDS: extensively synthesized in the body and not essential components of the diet. Include: alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, serine, proline, glutamine, asparagine.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES: the polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, and some fibers).

CONDITIONALLY DISPENSABLE AMINO ACIDS: amino acids that become indispensable under certain conditions. Include: tyrosine, cysteine. Cysteine and tyrosine can reduce the requirements for the indispensable amino acids methionine and phenylalanine, respectively.

CONES: the cells of the retina that respond to bright light and are responsible for color vision.

CONGENITAL: existing at, and usually before birth.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF): a syndrome caused by heart disease, which is characterized by breathlessness, chest pain, and abnormal sodium and water retention by the kidney.

CONSTIPATION: a condition in which the frequency or quantity of defecation is reduced.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE (CHD): impairment of circulation in the vasculature of the heart due primarily to the deposition of arterial fatty plaque; also called coronary artery disease (CAD).

CORTICAL BONE: the compact bone of the shaft that surrounds the medullary cavity.

CORTISOL: the major adrenal cortical steroid influencing carbohydrate metabolism. It increases the release of glucose from the liver, stimulates gluconeogenesis from amino acids, and decreases peripheral use of blood glucose.

C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP): a sensitive plasma-protein marker of inflammatory status, which may be associated with coronary artery disease.

CRETINISM: a chronic condition due to congenital lack of thyroid secretion, marked by arrested physical and mental development, dystrophy of the bones and soft parts, and lowered basal metabolism.

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES: a group of vegetables named for their cross-shaped blossoms (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, rutabagas), which may help to prevent certain cancers.

CRUDE FIBER: the amount of plant material remaining after being subjected to treatment with acid and alkali.

CYANOSIS: a blue discoloration of the skin reflecting excessive concentration of reduced hemoglobin in the blood due to poor oxygenation.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS: a congenital disease of mucous glands throughout the body, usually developing during childhood and causing pancreatic insufficiency and pulmonary disorders.

CYTOCHROME: any electron transfer hemoprotein.

CYTOCHROME P450 SYSTEM: an enzyme system in the body that transforms drugs and other endogenous materials to water-soluble compounds so that they can be excreted.

DAILY REFERENCE VALUES (DRVs): a set of dietary references for food labels consisting of nutrients (except for protein) for which no set of standards previously existed; DRVs have been set for fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, total carbohydrate, protein, fiber, sodium, and potassium.

DAILY VALUE (DV): dietary reference term on food labels to aid consumers in selecting a healthy diet, consisting of two sets of references, the RDIs and DRVs.

DAWN PHENOMENON: an increase in blood glucose levels between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., when natural adrenalin begins to function; possibly caused by a diurnal variation in growth hormone.

DEFECATION: the act of voiding the rectum to eliminate waste.

DEHYDRATION: excessive loss of body water.

DELANEY CLAUSE: a clause of the Food Additive Amendment that prohibits the use of any substance shown to cause cancer in animals or humans.

DEMENTIA: irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties with accompanying emotional disturbance resulting from organic brain disorder.

DENATURATION: “unraveling” or breaking down of the shape (tertiary structure) of proteins by mechanical agitation, heat, cold, acidity, or alkalinity.

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA): the nucleic acid present in the chromosomes ultimately responsible for protein synthesis and the transmittance of genetic information.

DERMATITIS: inflammation of the skin.

DEXTRIN: an intermediate product of starch hydrolysis. Composed of short glucose chains.

DEXTROSE: glucose produced by the hydrolysis of corn starch.

DIABETES MELLITUS: a disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism resulting from a lack of insulin secretion by the pancreas.

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS: acidosis accompanied by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the body tissues and fluids; caused by a lack or inadequacy of insulin. If left untreated with insulin and fluids, can lead to coma and death.

DIARRHEA: abnormal frequency and liquidity of stools.

DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE: the blood pressure when the heart muscle is relaxed and blood is entering the heart chambers.

DIETARY FIBER: the amount of plant material remaining after treatment with digestive enzymes and reduction with acid and alkali.

DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS: dietary recommendations for healthy Americans, age 2 years and over, about food choices that promote health, specifically with respect to prevention or delay of chronic diseases.

DIETARY REFERENCE INTAKE (DRI): an umbrella term designed to encompass the four specific types of nutrient recommendations featured in the DRIs (AI, EAR, RDA and UL); the DRI are used for nutrient recommendations for the United States and Canada.

DIGESTION: the process whereby ingested food is converted into material suitable for assimilation for synthesis of tissues or liberation of energy. Usually involves hydrolysis.

DIGLYCERIDE (diacylglycerol): a lipid with two fatty acid chains attached to the glycerol molecule.

DIPEPTIDE: two amino acids bonded together by a peptide bond.

DISACCHARIDE: a sugar capable of being digested to two monosaccharide molecules; sucrose, maltose, lactose.

DISPENSABLE AMINO ACIDS: amino acids can either be synthesized from indispensable amino acids or from appropriate carbon skeletons readily manufactured in the cell; glutamate, alanine, aspartate, glutamine.

DIURESIS: increased secretion of urine.

DIURETIC: a drug (“water pill”) that promotes diuresis.

DIVERTICULITIS: inflammation of diverticula.

DIVERTICULOSIS: presence of diverticula that are herniations of the mucous membrane through the muscular layers of the colonic wall; common among older people and may be related to low fiber intake.

DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA): an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish.

DUMPING SYNDROME: a complex physiologic response to the rapid emptying of the gastric contents into the jejunum.

DUODENUM: the beginning portion of the small intestine, starting at the lower end of the stomach and extending to the jejunum.

DYSBIOSIS: an imbalance in gut microflora.

DYSGEUSIA: loss of the sense of taste.

DYSENTERY: an infection of the GI tract caused by an amoeba or bacterium, causing severe diarrhea.

DYSPEPSIA: discomfort in the abdominal region following eating.

DYSPHAGIA: difficulty in swallowing.

DYSTROPHY: any disorder arising from defective or faulty nutrition.