GLOSSARY

I often found that I didn't understand dictionary definitions, so here are my descriptions in case they help.

binary choice    Bi- means two, like in bicycle, referring to the two wheels.  A binary choice is a choice in which there are only two options.  A binary choice can be a false choice when there are actually more than two options but you're only allowed two of them.

clinic    A clinic is a medical facility.  Doctors' private offices, medical groups, and hospitals may be considered clinics.

clinical, subclinical    When clinical is followed by the name of a condition, it usually means that the condition can be detected by testing for it.  When subclinical is followed by the name of a condition, it means that the condition cannot necessarily be detected by testing for it.  An example: magnesium deficiency may exist even though test results are Normal.

clinician    A clinician is a health care provider who examines the patient, orders tests and interprets the results, issues a diagnosis, and recommends treatment.  A clinician doesn't necessarily work in a clinic; some travel for their work.

focal deficiency    A shortage of nutrients in a particular area of the body, usually without systemic deficiency, in which many or all systems of the body are affected.  A focal deficiency might not be detectable with blood or other types of tests.

infuse    To gradually and steadily supply a liquid substance directly into the bloodstream by using a needle left in the skin and connected to a drip bag.

ingest    To eat or drink. In the case of medication or supplements, to swallow. This word does not apply to injecting substances.

n of 1     Researchers can report results as a percentage or as a number.  If we have 10 test subjects and 3 of them sneezed, we can say sneezing occurred in 30% of our subjects.  When we say 3 sneezed, 3 is the n.

n of 1is commonly used to describe an experiment or experience in which you are the only subject.  An n of 1 may mean that you might be the 1 in a million who experienced an adverse event; your incident is not considered statistically significant, but because it's your experience it means everything to you.

n of 1 is also used to describe an experience in which someone else is the only subject.  While health care providers may rely on a large number or percentage of subjects to judge effectiveness of a treatment, you might be impressed by hearing a single person's powerful story.

replete    Where deplete means to use up or cause a reduction in the amount of something, replete means to replenish what got depleted.

ROS (pronounced "Ross")    Stands for reactive oxygen species.  Usually mentioned in connection with damage from oxidative stress.

subclinical    See clinical.

systemic    May describe a condition that affects many or all of the systems of the body.

UTI    Urinary tract infection.