Download doc List of Stuff to Know

Manuel Uribe – world heaviest man, weighs on average 550 kg
Dr. Robert Atkins – created the Atkins diet, a high protein, no carbohydrate diet
Dr. Phil McGraw – television personality who waded into the diet business
Dr. Peter D’adamo – A naturopath who wrote the book Eat right for your blood type
Michel Montignac – A French accountant who created the Montignac diet, a diet focused on consuming
foods that are low on the glycemic index.
Suzanne Sommers – A famous actress who also created a low glycemic index food. She and Michel and
Montignac were involved in law suits.
Dr. Rhona Applebaum – Chief scientist of Coca-cola who described the effects of Enviga, the coca-cola
product claiming to burn calories.
Pima Natives – An Arizona tribe who are almost universally obese demonstrating the potential genetic link
Bob Adelman – A New York city photographer who documented his weight loss caused by low calorie diet
combined with exercise
Dr. Robert Linn – Created the last chance diet which required no carbohydrates and the consumption of a
protein powdered, which did not contain all necessary amino acids and caused 17 deaths.
Dr. Keith Ingold – Discovered in 1954 that oxygen can bind to newly formed free radicals to form a peroxyradical, which can attack hydrogen molecules.
Dr. Arthur Agatson – Created the South Beach Diet which required the reduction of consumption of “bad
carbohydrates”
Barry Sears – Created the Zone Diet which recommended consuming carbs, protein and fats in a given ratio
(40/30/30).
Dr. Dean Ornish – Created a high carbohydrate diet that allowed only 7% of calories to come from fat.
Michael Zemel – Created the calcium diet, which aimed to reduce the levels of calcitrol in the body which
were partially responsible for fat absorption.
Steve Bechler – A baseball player who died due to taking the Metabolife supplement
Claus Von Bulow – An aristocrat who murdered his wife Sunny by injecting her with insulin, putting her into a
coma.
Richard and Judith Wurtman – Richard found the relationship between mood, diet and weight loss. High
wife wrote “The Carbohydrate Cravers Diet.”
Mendeleev – Put together the periodic table, and in the process discovered (WHAT!? WHAT DID HE
DISCOVER?! DON’T LEAVE ME IN SUSPENSE HERE!!!!)
Mmmm red candies!
Louis Pasteur – Discovered/proved that food spoils due to eh presence of microbes, and found methods of
removing them (pasteurization).
Dr. Denham Harmon – With Ingold, discovered the creation of peroxy-radicals formed when oxygen binds to
newly formed free radicals.
Enviga – A coca-cola product containing Catechins, which inhibit catichol O-methyltranferase, an enzyme that
breaks down norepinephrine which catalyzes fat oxidation. As a result Enviga is said to burn calories.
High Fructose Corn Syrup – A sweetener in which glucose is converted to the sweeter fructose (up to 90%).
Implicated in weight loss as fructose causes less satiety.
Ephedra – A natural substance extracted from a Chinese herb (Ma Huang) that contains ephedrine
Xenadrine – An example of an ephedrine supplement
Metabolife – An example of an ephedrine supplement that was combined with caffeine, with sales of more
than $1 billion per year before it was banned in 2004 due to causing 155 deaths.
Synephrine – A “natural ephedrine” extracted from citrus fruit that is somewhat less dangerous.
Octopamine – A “natural ephedrine” extracted from the citrus fruit that is somewhat less dangerous.
BRL 26830 – A drug designed to increase the number of brown fat cells.
Phentermine – A derivative of amphetamine where the hydrogen is replaced by a methyl group. Had fewer
side effects but was less effective than amphetamine.
Dietac – A drug containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a chemical similar to ephedrine, which surpresses
diet but causes hallucinations and was linked to stroke.
Saint John’s Wort – “Natural Serotonin”
Geritol – A vitamin tonic containing large amounts of Iron
Fosamax – Also known as Alendronate, this drug inhibits osteoclast formation and can cause bon mass
improvements of up to 3% per year, however causes GI problems, nausea, cramping and constipation.
Reclast – Also known as Zometa, this is a once a year injection and can reduce spine fractures by 70% and
hip fractures by 41%.
Premarin – The commercial name for estrogen, taken to reduce osteoporosis and heart disease, but may
cause an increase in uterine cancer and breast cancer
Ponderal – A commercial name for Fenfluramine
Fen/Phen – A mix of Fenfluramine (drowsiness) and Phenylpropanolamine (stimulant). Caused depression,
pulmonary problems and increased sexual drive.
Redux – A drug containing only dexfenfluramine, a stereo-isomer of Fenfluramine with fewer side effects.
YAY CHIRAL MOLECULES!!! TEEE HEEE
Prozac – Increases levels of serotonin by acting as a reuptake inhibitor, causing weight loss.
Xenical – A drug also available under the name Orlistat that affected the way fat is absorbed, by reducing
lipase. It resulted in a 20% reduction of fat absorption and had side effects including GI discomfort, anal
leakage, loose stool, and malabsorption of fat soluble vitamins.
Meridia – A reuptake inhibitor of both Serotonin and noradrenalin also sold as Sibutramine. Has caused 400
adverse affects and 84 deaths but FDA has not banned. YET. I bet they have in Europe.
Sibutramine – Another name for Meridia, a Serotonin/Noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor.
Acomplia – A CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor antagonist that reduces the “munchies” caused by smoking
cannabis which contains tetrahydrocarabinol which stimulates the receptors.
Rimonabant – Another name for Acomplia
Tompamax – A drug often prescribed off-label for weight loss. Actually an anti convulsant.  dude!
Slentrol – The only diet drug approved for dogs. 30% of American dogs are overweight. 5% are obese.
Slow Fe – A slow release Iron supplement containing 260% of the daily recommended intake.
Caltrate – A calcium supplement that is simply calcium carbonate. Best taken during a meal.
Raloxifene – An estrogen imitator with fewer side effects.
Black Tower – A German wine that is a mix of several European wines.
Catechins – Antioxidants found in green tea (and enviga) and inhibit the formation of O-methyltranferase
O-methyltranferase – An enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine
Norepinephrine – A neurotransmitter that is responsible for fat oxidation and heat production (thermogenisis)
Insulin – Increases BMR. Also regulates glucose intake. Excessive glucose intake can cause insulin
resistance.
Pthalates – Chemicals found in the production of flexible plastics, linked to abdominal obesity or insulin
resistance.
Ephedrine – A chemical found in Ephedra that belongs to the same family as amphetamines, which speeds
up metabolic rate.
Amphetamine – Also known as speed, a stimulant, which increases metabolic activity
Nicotine – An addictive, chemogenic drug (why smokers lose weight).
Noradrenalin
Vermillion
Hemoglobin
Iodine/Iodide
Glutathione Peroxidase – responsible for the control of peroxide radicals. Requires selenium.
Osteoblasts – The cells responsible for absorbing calcium into the bones.
Alendronate
Estrogen – A hormone taken to reduce osteoporosis and heart disease, though it may increase the risk of
breast and uterine cancer. Sold as Premarin.
Progestin – A synthetic hormone often taken with Estrogen to reduce risk of uterine cancer and increase risk
of breast cancer, though may decrease the efficacy of estrogen in reducing heart disease.
Morpholine – A potentially carcinogenic emulsifier found in the wax coating of apples. Can be converted to
the carcinogenic nitroso-morpholine.
Cyanide
Monosodium Glutamate – MSG, a flavouring agent that increases other flavours, and is known to cause
Chinese restaurant syndrome (Kwok’s disease) which imitates a heart attack. May also cause Asthma attack.
Glutamic Acid
Listeria
Caramel – the most popular colouring agent, used in soft drinks.
Canthaxantin
Coal Tar Dyes – Another name for synthetic food dyes, as they were once made from Coal Tar. Also may be
called certified dyes.
Sodium Benzoate – A preservative often found in soft drinks. When reacted with ascorbic acid, it can
produce benzene, a carcinogen.
Amaranth
Dimethyl Nitrosamines
Propionibacter Shermanii
Thalydomide – A drug once given to cure morning sickness, found to be Teratogenic.
PhIP – A flat molecule with three cyclic rings, that can be involved in intercalation and DNA mutations.
TCDD – Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin, a by product used in agent orange and is one of the most toxic
materials known.
Afflotoxin
Agaratine – A mutagen found in mushrooms.
Canavine – Found in Alfalfa sprouts, and related closely to a mutagen.
Turmeric – A reddish substance found in curry, containing curcumin.
Piperine – a chemical in peppers that inhibits enzymes in drug metabolism. Increases the bioavailability of
curcumin.
Phenylpropanolamine – An appetite suppressant found in Dietac which is similar to ephedrine. Also found in
nasal anti-congestant Contac-c. Banned after being linked to hallucinations and stroke.
Fenfluramine (Dex and Lev) – An amphetamine analog that worked on serotonin levels, found to cause
drowsiness. Discovered that had two stereo isomers (Dex and Lev). Dex suppressed apatite and Lev
produced side effects. Dexfenfluramine was sold as Redux.
Synapse – The gap between two nerve cells (axon and dendrite).
Reuptake Inhibitor – a chemical that fits into neurotransmitter receptors to keep neurotransmitters in the
synapse and increase their concentration.
Hoodia Goordoni
Leptin
Gypsum – Calcium Sulphate (CaSO4)
Epson Salts – Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4)
Limestone – Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Dolomite – A mix of calcium and magnesium sulphates. Used as a supplement however known to cause
poisoning due to the presence of extraneous elements.
Potassium – An element that is used in KCl (NoSalt) as an alternative to sodium.
Molybdenum – Required in 2mg per day, and essential in some enzymes including Xanthine (which remove
uric acid from the body).
Iron – An element (Fe) that is needed in 10-20 mg per day (there are 2 – 4 grams in the body). A central part
of haemoglobin. Shortage of iron is known as anaemia. Hemochromotosis causes excessive absorption and
can lead to liver disease, heart disease and arthritis. Best absorbed with vitamin C, and found in meat and
broccoli.
Zinc – An element (Zn) required in 50mg/day. Makes up 0.003% of body weight. Deficiency connected to
Anosmia (affects small and taste) and Reynaud’s disease (circulation). Connected to over 200 enzymes
including tRNA synthetase, RNA Polymerase, Insulin and alcohol dehydrogenase.
Selenium – Needed in 50 mcg. Antioxidant than works with vitamin E, part of glutathione peroxidise that
protects cells from oxidative damage. Found in garlic and ionions.
Calcium – Needed in 1000 to 1500 mg per day. 99% in the bones, 1% for nerve transmission.
Osteoclasts – The cells responsible for the resorption of calcium from the bones.
Hydroxy Apatite – The material from which bones are made.
Calcitonin – A hormone released by the kidney’s when calcium intake is low. May allow for increased fat
absorption and was the rational behind Michael Zemel’s calcium diet.
Borax
Lead Acetate – Used by the Romans as a sweetener for wine (toxic).
Safrole – found in sassafras, once used as a flavouring agent in root beer, banned because it was found to be
carcinogenic in animals.
Boron
Sodium Tripolyphosphate – A moisture chelating agent used in butterball turkey, Kraft dinner and cleaning
agents to trap moisture.
Vanillin – Artificial vanilla flavour, which is nature identical to vanilla. Most widely used chemical flavour.
Beta-Carotene – A food colouring agent that is extracted from carrots and is used to provide orange/red
colours, including butterball turkeys.
Cochineal Red – Extracted from cochineal insects and used in red foods, artificial strawberry extracts salamis
and ice cream. Used as a pigment known as carmine red.
Citrus Red – A restricted synthetic dye, used to colour the skins of citrus fruits.
Tartrazine – Yellow dye #5, the only dye that must appear on a food label as it is known to cause some
allergic reactions.
Flavanoids – Antioxidants found in apples.
Calcium Propionate – An anti fungal agent added to bread. A derivative of propanoic acid which is a natural
preservative.
Carboxymethyl cellulose – Essentially sawdust, added to ice cream to prevent the crystallization of water
sequestered by the gum thickening agents.
Cytochrome P450 – a family of enzymes that alter molecules (often by oxidation) in order to remove them
from the body by making their derivatives more water soluble. Grapefruit inhibits P450.
Acrylamide – An ubiquitous molecule with three carbons and an NH2 group at the end. Formed in a similar
process to AGEs (heating a sugar with an amino acid containing a C=O and an NH2). A possible carcinogen
and neurotoxin.
BHT – Butylated Hydroxy Toluene is a molecule that can bind free radicals and includes two “shields” that
shield the radical.
Osmotic Laxative
Furocoumarins – A light induced carcinogen found in celery.
Lupine – contains anagyrine, a teratogen.
Quercetin – A phenol found in cabbage, which acts as an anti oxidant.
Curcumin – found in turmeric, contains phenol groups, blocks hormone linked to colon cancer, blocks bodies
p53 tumour suppressor.
Selenomethionine – formed from methionine and selenium, needed for the formation of glutathione
peroxidise, and enzyme that controls peroxide radicals.
Body Mass Index – A measure of obesity, relating height and weight. Found by dividing weight (in Kg) by
height (in metres) squared. A BMI 25 to 30 indicates overweight, while over 30 indicates obesity.
Calorie – In food, the amount of energy required to raise one Kg of water by one degree Celsius.
Basal Metabolic Rate – The amount of energy needed to perform all bodily functions while at rest for 24
hours. Usually between 1400 and 1700 calories per day. A low BMR can be indicative of obesity.
Ketogenic Diets – Diets that are low in carbohydrates, called this because such diets increase the
concentration of ketones in the body.
National Weight Control registry – Tracks people who have lost weight and kept it off, found that only 10%
could do it through diet alone, and found that no one diet was more effective.
Glycemic Index
Bariatrics – The study of obesity.
Porphyria
Anosmia
Mutagenic – A substance that is known to cause DNA mutations, a first step towards cancer.
Carcinogenic – A substance that is known to cause cancer.
HERP
Intercalation
Reynaud’s Disease – A circulation disease caused by zinc deficiency.
Goiter
Resoprtion – The opposite of absorption, in our case referring to the removal of calcium from the bones by
osteoclasts.
Traditional Additives – Salt and Sugar, which compose the majority of our intake of food additives by weight.
Classical Additives – All other additives, with chemical names. Account for ~1 lb per year intake.
Polydipsia – A neurological condition where a person feels the constant urge to drink water.
Taste Families – Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty and Umami.
Kwok’s Disease – Also known as Chinese restaurant syndrome caused by MSG intake and mimicks the
symptoms of a heart attack. Is harmless but scary.
Rancidity – The oxidation of fats, produces Butyric acid which is responsible for the smell of sweaty feet.
Ergot
Teratogenic – A substance that is harmful to the fetus. Example is thalidomide.
Angiogenesis – The growth of blood vessels to feed growing tumors.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Heterocyclic Amines
The end. Do you know it all?