Nutrition 101 – Glossary – N

Naringin – Definition – Naringin is a flavonoid compound present in grapefruit and responsible for its characteristic bitter citrus flavor. Relevance – Naringin interferes with the breakdown of many drugs, causing significantly increased blood levels of the drugs, which can have adverse effects; However, proposed positive effects of naringin include protection against chemotherapy toxins, enhanced metabolism of fats and alcohols, decreased risk of atherosclerosis, and many more.

National Diabetes Prevention Program – Definition – A partnership of public and private organizations working to reduce the growing problem of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Relevance – It includes hundreds of in-person and online lifestyle change programs nationwide to teach people to make lasting lifestyle changes, like eating healthier, adding physical activity into their daily routine and improving coping skills.

National School Lunch Progam – Definition – A federally-assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. Relevance – It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.

Neotame – Definition – Neotame is an artificial sweetener that is approved for use by the FDA. Relevance – Neotame is used to sweeten diet foods and beverages.

Niacin – Definition – Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for nerve, skin, and digestive function and aids conversion of food to usable energy. Relevance – Niacin is found in dairy, grains, eggs, fish, lean meats, nuts, and legumes and is used as a treatment option for low HDL and high LDL cholesterol levels. Food manufacturers are required to add niacin to enriched breads, cereal and grain products to prevent deficiency diseases, such as pellagra.

Nixtamalization – Definition – The traditional process of cooking then soaking field corn in an alkaline solution, then washing and grinding it into a dough called masa used to make tortillas. Relevance – Although this process increases the nutritional value of corn masa, mainly by making B vitamins more available to the body, a small amount of bran is lost during soaking.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatits (NASH) – Definition – Is a condition in which fat builds up in your liver, and inflammation and liver cell damage also are present. Relevance – Certain health conditions—including obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes—make you more likely to develop NASH. No medicines are approved to treat NASH, but weight loss can help.