Alzheimer's disease
A progressive form of dementia occurring in middle age or later, characterised by loss of short-term memory, deterioration in behaviour, intellectual performance, and slowness of thought.

Amino acids
The basic building blocks of all proteins.

Anti-carcinogens
A substance that counteract the effect of a cancer-causing agent.

Bone mineral density
A measurement made on bones to assess their apparent density, taking into account their length and width. Bone mineral density increases from early childhood to a maximum in late teenage years

Breast cancer
A malignant tumour of the breast, usually a carcinoma.

Calcium
A metallic element essential for the normal development and functioning of the body. Calcium is an important constituent of bones and teeth; the matrix of bone, consisting principally of calcium phosphate, accounts for 99% of the body's calcium.

Cancer
Arises from abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells that then invade and destroy the surrounding tissues.

Cell proliferation
Increase in cell number by division.

Cognitive function
The mental processes by which knowledge is acquired. These include perception, reasoning, acts of creativity, problem-solving and possible intuition.

Colorectal cancer
A malignancy that arises from the lining of either the colon or the rectum in the large intestine. Cancers of the large intestine are the second most common form of cancer found in males and females.

Dementia
A chronic or persistent disorder of behaviour and higher intellectual function due to organic brain disease. It is marked by memory disorders, changes in personality, deterioration in personal care and impaired reasoning ability.

Endometrium cancer
A malignancy that develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.

Enzyme
A protein that, in small amounts, speeds the rate of a biological reaction without itself being used up in the reaction. Enzymes are essential for the normal functioning and development of the body.

Epidemiology
The study of the occurrence, distribution and control diseases in populations, which is a basic part of public health medicine.

Oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer
A type of breast cancer that develops as a result of the interaction of the hormone oestrogen with receptors in breast tissue.

Flavones
Flavones belong to a group of phytochemicals found in plants called Flavonoids which are not nutrients but do impact on health.

Genetic modification
The techniques involved in altering the characteristics of an organism by inserting genes from another organism into its DNA.

Genistein
One of the two main isoflavones present in most soy products. Thought to be important in delivering the health benefits of soy.

Hormone-dependent cancers
A cancer which requires the presence of certain hormones (such as oestrogen), to develop.

Hormone replacement therapy
The use of hormones such as oestrogen or a combination of oestrogen and progestogen/progesterone for the relief of symptoms resulting from cessation of ovarian function, either at the time of the natural menopause or following surgical removal of the ovaries.

Hyperthyroidism
Overactivity of the thyroid gland, either due to a tumour, overgrowth of the gland or Graves' disease.

Iodine
An element required in small amounts for healthy growth and development. The daily requirement of iodine in an adult is thought to be about 100mg per day.

Ipriflavone
A medication used in some countries to treat osteoporosis. Ipriflavone is a synthetic 'isoflavone'.

In-vitro studies
Studies conducted in laboratory conditions, such as in test tubes.

Isoflavones - purified isoflavones
Isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) are important natural compounds found richly in soy beans and most soy protein rich foods. They are thought to play a critical role in the health benefits associated with consuming soy.

Lactose intolerant
The inability to digest 'lactose', the natural sugar found in dairy products, due to a deficiency in the enzyme 'lactase'.

Lung cancer
Arises in the epithelium (top layer of cells) of the air passages or lung. It is a very common form of cancer and is strongly associated with cigarette smoking and exposure to industrial air pollutants.

Metabolism
The sum of all the chemical and physical changes that take place within the body and enable its continued growth and functioning.

Metabolites
Substance that takes part in the process of metabolism or are produced during metabolism.

Nutrient
A substance that must be consumed as part of the diet to provide a source of energy, material for growth, or substances that regulate growth or energy production. Nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins.

Oestradiol
The major type of oestrogen hormone produced by the body mainly in the ovaries, but also in the placenta, testis and possibly adrenal cortex.

Oestrogen
One of a group of steroid hormones that cause cells in the reproductive organs to grow and develop. Although often considered a female hormone, oestrogen is also important for good health in men.

Osteocalcin

A protein made by the body which can be measured in blood, indicating that the bone building cells are being more active.

Osteoporosis
Loss of bone tissue, resulting in bones that are brittle and liable to fracture. Common in older people, particularly post-menopausal.

Oxidised LDL cholesterol
The type of cholesterol that accumulates in artery walls.

Peri-menopausal
A period of time immediately prior to the menopause (when the endocrinological, biological, and clinical features of approaching menopause commence) and the first year after menopause.

Phosphorus
A non-metallic element. Phosphorus compounds are major constituents in the tissue of both plants and animals.

Phytic acid
A compound found naturally in plant cells, especially in seeds, grains and legumes.

Phytochemicals
Chemicals found naturally in plants that are believed to offer various health benefits.

Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are a type of plant chemical that have a similar structure to the hormone oestrogen, however they are not identical in their effects. Two major types of phytoestrogens are isoflavones and lignans. Phytoestrogens occur naturally in legumes, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds, and many vegetables and fruits.

Plant sterol
Natural substances found in plant foods. They have a similar structure to cholesterol, however plant sterols have different effects in the body.

Premarin
A commonly prescribed HRT for post-menopausal women. A cocktail of oestrogens made from the urine of pregnant horses.

Prostate cancer
A malignant tumour of the prostate gland, a common form of cancer in older men.

Protein
A compound comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. The protein molecule is made up of one or more amino acids, which are linked together. Proteins are essential constituents of the body; they form muscles, tissues, organs etc, and also form enzymes and hormones.

Raloxifene
A drug that was developed to have positive benefits for post menopausal women, such as maintaining bone density and lowering LDL cholesterol levels, without increasing risk for breast cancer.

Saponins
A compound widely distributed in plant foods and oils. Saponins are not usually absorbed by the body, however they may work to reduce cholesterol absorption. Various studies are investigating the ability of saponins to lower blood cholesterol levels as well as their antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects.

Sex hormone metabolites
Compounds produced as a result of the metabolism of hormones (such as oestrogen) in the body.

Skin cancer
A malignant growth on the skin.

Soy Protein Isolate
Concentrated form of protein.

Stomach cancer
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) can develop in any part of the stomach and spread to other organs.

Sulphur
A non-metallic element that is active against fungi and parasites. It is a constituent of ointments and other preparations used in the treatment of skin disorders and infections.

Tamoxifen
A drug commonly used in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. It acts as an 'anti-oestrogen', as it combines with oestrogen receptors in the breast to inhibit the effect of oestrogens.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
A soy food made from defatted soy flour. TVP is prepared by re-hydrating with water, and can be used to replace minced meat in burgers, spaghetti sauces, lasagna and casseroles.

Thyroid hormone
An iodine-containing substance, synthesised and secreted by the thyroid gland, that is essential for normal metabolic processes and mental and physical development.

Trypsin inhibitors
An enzyme that continues the digestion of proteins and is secreted by the pancreas.

Urinary compounds
Compounds that can be produced as a result of the body's metabolic reactions, which are excreted from the body via the urine.

Vasmotor symptoms
Symptoms relating to variations in blood flow due to changes in the diameter of the blood vessels. Mediated via the nervous system, hot flushes are one example with an increased blood flow in the vessels.

Wholegrains
A grain food where all parts of the grain (such as the germ, endosperm and bran layer) are intact and retained. Examples included wholegrain wheat and wholegrain (brown) rice.