Lactate Dehydrogenase: a complex protein that is also known as LDH. It is in many body tissues, especially the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells, and lungs. LDH affects the chemical reaction for the conversion of pyruvate and lactate. Exercising muscles convert (and red blood cells metabolize) glucose to lactate. Lactate is released into the blood and is later taken up by the liver. The liver converts lactate back to glucose and releases glucose into the blood. Resting muscles, red blood cells, and other tissues then take up this glucose.
Lacto-S Plus: an oral capsule that contains Lactobacillus Sporogenes (also known as Bacillus Coagulant) which is a friendly bacteria which belongs in our bodies, but drugs, like antibiotics and chemicals in our food and water supply, destroy it. Lacto-S-Plus restores it. Lactobacillus Sporogenes (B. Coagulans) is a "Probiotic" (from the Greek, meaning "for life") which helps the body restore the natural micro-organisms we need for good health, while at the same time ridding the body of intestinal pathogens.
Lanoxin: a drug used to treat conditions such as congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (types of fast heartbeats).
laparoscopy: new technology that uses a small video-camera and a few customized instruments to perform surgery with minimal tissue injury.
laparotomy: a surgery of the abdomen. There are two types of laparotomy: open and endoscopic (laparoscopic). The open procedure requires a standard surgical incision. Endoscopic exploration (laparoscopy) is done through small, “key hole” incisions that allow passage of thin instruments that both “see” inside the abdomen and are able to manipulate organs. Several surgeries that previously required long open incisions, like gallbladder removal and tubal ligation, can now be done using this technique. A laparotomy is a diagnostic procedure used to assess disease in the abdomen. One of the more frequent reasons for a laparotomy is to determine the extent a cancer has spread. It is also used for acute situations in which the cause of the problem is unknown but the location is within the abdomen. Examples include perforated bowel, ectopic (outside the womb) pregnancy, endometriosis, appendicitis, bleeding, and inflammation of the pancreas. If the diagnosis made at laparotomy is amenable to further surgery, it is often done immediately.
large intestine meridian: starts at the tip of the index finger and runs between the thumb and the index finger. It then proceeds along the lateral side of the forearm and the anterior side of the upper arm, until it reaches the highest point of the shoulder. From there, it has two branches. One goes internally towards the lungs, diaphragm and large intestine. The other travels externally upwards where it passes the neck and cheek, and enters the lower teeth and gums. It then curves around the upper lip and crosses to the opposite side of the nose. Disharmony of the Large Intestine Meridian can lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, constipation and dysentery. Since it passes through the oral cavity and the nose, symptoms like toothache, a runny nose, nosebleeds, and pain or heat along the meridian pathway can also indicate a disorder in this meridian. Acupuncture points in this meridian are indicated for diseases affecting the head, face, pharynx (throat), febrile conditions and other symptoms along the meridian pathway.
Laser Dentistry, Academy of: the largest international organization devoted to laser dentistry, the Academy includes among its members top clinicians, academicians and researchers in all laser wavelengths. The Academy is devoted to clinical education, research and the development of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective use of laser technology worldwide.
Laser Dentistry in North Amerca: a site that discusses a variety of dental treatments using lasers. Lasers can be used for cavity removal, teeth whitening and to harden bonding materials used in fillings. In addition, lasers are used in periodontal care; they remove bacteria from periodontal pockets and can be effective for reshaping the gumline.
laser tutorial: five pages that explain the basic properties of how lasers function.
Latensin: a homeopathic remedy for subacute and chronic inflammations, conditions of weakness, in convalescence, especially after feverish diseases, for immune modulation. Latensin is a preparation of the non-pathogenic Bacillus cereus M. U. 345a (DSM 5194). Due to its contents of protein substances, polysaccharides, and ferments, it brings about a distinctly activating effect of endogenic defense- and healing functions in chronic inflammatory diseases. In immunological testing models, a high rise of granulocytic phagocytosis-activity has been recorded. Moreover, a strong increase in the T-lymphocyte proliferation also certifies Latensin as a potent immune modulator.
latex: the protective fluid contained in tissue beneath the bark of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. The tree originated from Brazil (hence its name), and latex was originally gathered from wild trees in the jungles of Brazil in the 1870's. By 1890, Britain had introduced rubber plantations in Malaysia (with the help of Kew gardens and the Singapore Botanical Gardens) and was harvesting latex. Natural rubber latex (NRL) is a cloudy white liquid, similar in appearance to cows milk. It is collected by cutting a thin strip of bark from the tree and allowing the latex to exude into a collecting vessel over a period of hours.
latex accelerators: a human health hazard arising from the presence of dithiocarbamate vulcanization accelerators in latex products (mainly gloves). After collection of manufacturer's data on usage and residues of these accelerators, an independent investigation of solvent extractable residues and dithiocarbamate migration into aqueous simulants was commissioned, to complement equivalent “in-house” test data from two major manufacturers. The presence of extractable accelerator residues in commercial products was confirmed. Potential human health hazards associated with dithiocarbamates include genotoxicity and possible carcinogenicity: a review of published data was conducted to evaluate the evidence for this, with particular reference to three zinc dithiocarbamates with significant commercial usage.
Lawrence Livermore Lab Safety Information: a document that contains precautions and controls for handling metallic mercury and its compounds safely, specific guidance for preventing or limiting metallic mercury spills, and guidelines for cleaning up mercury spills.
Lidocaine: an antiarrhythmic drug commonly used to restore a regular heartbeat in patients with arrhythmia. This effect is produced both by delaying abnormal nerve pulses to the heart and reducing irritability of the heart tissue. Lidocaine is also used topically as a local anesthetic to produce numbness or loss of feeling before surgery or other painful procedures. Side effects include convulsions, anxiety, itching, and swelling.
lipoma: benign growths composed of fat that usually occur under the skin, but have also been found in deeper tissues and even in various body organs, such as the heart, brain, and lung. They can vary from walnut size to that of a large baseball and usually have a soft, rubbery feel. Most arise after the age of 30.
Liquorice Root: derived from the sweet root of various species of Glycyrrhiza, a genus which contains about fourteen species, natives of warmer temperate countries in both the New and Old Worlds, ten of them having roots more or less sweet, but most of them not sufficiently so to be of use. Hundreds of tons of Liquorice for commercial and medicinal purposes are imported annually from Spain, Russia, Germany, France and the East, most of our supply coming from Spain and Italy.
liver: the largest glandular organ of the body. It weighs about 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm. Blood is carried to the liver via two large vessels called the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The heptic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta (a major vessel in the heart). The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine. These blood vessels subdivide in the liver repeatedly, terminating in very small capillaries. Each capillary leads to a lobule. Liver tissue is composed of thousands of lobules, and each lobule is made up of hepatic cells, the basic metabolic cells of the liver.
L-Lysine: an essential amino acid, l-lysine cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from the diet. It is primarily noted for its importance in healthy protein synthesis, nitrogen balance and immune function. L-Lysine provides nutritional support for the body’s natural defenses, which includes maintaining healthy gum and lip tissue. It is produced from the fermentation of grain.
Lomi-Lomi: a type of Hawaiian massage. They describe lomilomi as "to work in and out, as the claws of a contented cat." For a person raised in the Hawaii, lomilomi means massage.
Low level laser therapy: therapy that uses lasers that are generally smaller, less expensive and operate in the milliwatt range, 1-500 milliwatts. The therapy performed with such lasers is often called "Low Level Laser Therapy" (LLLT) or just “laser therapy” and the lasers are called "therapeutic lasers". Several other names have been given to these lasers, such as "soft laser" and "low intensity level laser" whereas the therapy has been referred to as "biostimulation" and "biomodulation".
Low-Density Lipoprotein: a type of cholesterol (aka LDL). Too much LDL in the blood can clog arteries.
L-Taurine: a non-essential amino acid that helps stabilize the excitability of membranes. The body can make taurine from methionine and cysteine, which is why it's considered nonessential. But it can also be obtained from animal protein foods such as meat, milk, eggs and fish. Not only is taurine a potent antioxicant, but it also has been shown to affect some of the risk factors of heart disease.
Lungs Meridian: originates in the middle portion of the body, and runs downwards connecting with the large intestine. It then turns and passes through the diaphragm to connect with the lungs. This meridian branches out from the axilla (armpit) and runs down the medial aspect of the upper arm where it crosses the elbow crease. It continues until it passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at the tip of the thumb. Another branch emerges from the back of the wrist and ends at the radial side of the tip of the index finger to connect with the Large Intestine Meridian. Meridian originates in the middle portion of the body, and runs downwards connecting with the large intestine. It then turns and passes through the diaphragm to connect with the lungs. This meridian branches out from the axilla (armpit) and runs down the medial aspect of the upper arm where it crosses the elbow crease. It continues until it passes above the major artery of the wrist, and emerges at the tip of the thumb. Another branch emerges from the back of the wrist and ends at the radial side of the tip of the index finger to connect with the Large Intestine Meridian. Disorders of the Lung Meridian lead to diseases related to TCM lung dysfunction. According to TCM, the lung rules and regulates qi throughout the body and administers respiration (breathing). In addition, the lung moves and adjusts the water channels, so disorders of this meridian may be related to disharmony of lung fluid or "water" and respiratory disorders. Symptoms like chest discomfort with a fullness sensation, dyspnea (shortness of breath), cough, and wheezing indicate Lung Meridian disharmony. This disharmony can also lead to pain along the meridian position. For example, a person may feel pain in the shoulder and back or along the anterior border of the medial aspect of the arm. Acupuncture points in the Lung Meridian are indicated for throat, chest and lung ailments and for other symptoms that are presented along the meridian's pathway.
lymph node: are the filters in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system defends the body from foreign invasion by disease causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The lymphatic system consists macroscopically of: The bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, tonsils, appendix, and a few other organs. The lymph system contains a network of vessels that assists in circulating body fluids. These vessels transport excess fluids away from interstitial spaces in body tissue and returns it to the bloodstream. Lymphatic vessels prevent the backflow of the lymph fluid. The specialized organs called lymph nodes which filter out destroyed microorganisms are imbedded deeply in connective tissue so they are rarely seen. They are found in larger clusters in the axillary (arm pit area), inguinal (pubic/groin region), and cervical (neck) regions of the body.
lymphatic drainage: the clearing out of fluids by the lymph system. The lymph system contains a network of vessels that assists in circulating body fluids. These vessels transport excess fluids away from interstitial spaces in body tissue and returns it to the bloodstream. Lymphatic vessels prevent the backflow of the lymph fluid. They have specialized organs called lymph nodes which filter out destroyed microorganisms
lymphatic system: defends the body from foreign invasion by disease causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The lymphatic system consists macroscopically of the bone marrow, spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, tonsils, appendix, and a few other organs. The lymph system contains a network of vessels that assists in circulating body fluids.
lymphocytes: a small white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays a large role in defending the body against disease. Lymphocytes are responsible for immune responses. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells. The B cells make antibodies that attack bacteria and toxins while the T cells attack body cells themselves when they have been taken over by viruses or have become cancerous. Lymphocytes secrete products (lymphokines) that modulate the functional activities of many other types of cells and are often present at sites of chronic inflammation.
Lymphomyosot: a Heel remedy for the temporary relief of edema associated with minor illnesses including colds and flu, bronchitis and eczema.