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Eicosanoid
Eicosanoid A hormone derived from a polyunsaturated fat. Eicosanoids are made by every cell in the body. As autocrine hormones, they are constantly produced by the cell to sample the external environment. "Good" eicosanoids generate AMP.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Fat
A major energy source for animals and humans. Fat contains nine calories per gram.
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Hormones
Biological compounds that communicate information at a distance. Hormones require specific receptors to begin their biological action and use second messengers to initiate the cellular process that uses that information.
Environment
The sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms. The environment is as opposed to genetics. We are the product of our genetic inheritance and our environment.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Eicosapentaenoic acid
One of the principal omega-3 fatty acids. Abbreviated EPA. The body has a limited ability to manufacture EPA by converting the essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in flaxseed oil, canola oil or walnuts.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Epithelium
A thin layer of cells that covers the internal and external surfaces of the body, including body cavities, ducts and vessels.
Erythrocyte
An erythrocyte is more commonly known as a red blood cell, which is the most numerous type of blood cell. Erythrocytes contain the red pigment hemoglobin and are responsible for oxygen transport. In humans, the number of erythrocytes in the blood varies between 4.5 and 5.5 million per cubic millimeter. They survive for about four months and are then destroyed in the spleen and liver.
Ejaculation
Ejaculation is the process of ejecting semen from the penis, and is usually accompanied by orgasm as a result of sexual stimulation. It may also occur spontaneously during sleep (called a nocturnal emission), due to stimulating of the prostate or, rarely, due to prostatic disease.
Eukaryotic
The living world is divided into two classes of organism. Eukaryotic and, much simpler, prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria. Generally eukaryotes are diploid and their cells have internal organelles, such as nuclei. Prokaryotes are haploid with much simpler cells.
Enzyme
A cellular protein whose shape allows it to hold together several other molecules in close proximity to each other. In this way, enzymes are able to induce chemical reactions in other substances with little expenditure of energy and without being changed themselves. Basically, an enzyme acts as a catalyst.
Eicosanoid
Endocrine hormones
Hormones that are secreted from a discrete gland and then travel through the bloodstream to target tissues.
Endocrinology
The study of hormones. A more inclusive definition would be the study of biological communications.
Endocytosis
The process by which extracellular molecules (including hormones) enter a cell.
Endothelial cells
The cells that line the vascular system. They act as a barrier between the bloodstream and target cells that hormones must pass through in order to reach their receptors and exert their biological action.
EPA
Eicosapentaenoic acid is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. OmegaRx fish oil contains 40 percent EPA. EPA enhances the production of "good" eicosanoids and inhibits the production of Arachidonic Acid (AA). The higher the level of EPA in the diet, the more your cells will be induced to produce more good "eicosanoids"; the high levels of EPA also hinder the production of "bad" eicosanoids. EPA promotes good physical well-being, including increased circulation, and promotes a healthy immune system. EPA is also a powerful anti-inflammatory.
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