CCN flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

BMI formula

Body mass index equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Adult categories: underweight below 18.5, normal 18.5 to 24.9, overweight 25 to 29.9, obesity 30 and above.

Devine ideal body weight

For men, 50 kg plus 2.3 kg for each inch over 5 feet. For women, 45.5 kg plus 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet. Used to estimate dosing and nutrition targets.

Nitrogen balance calculation

Nitrogen balance equals nitrogen intake minus urinary urea nitrogen plus 4 grams for insensible losses. A positive value indicates anabolism; a negative value indicates catabolism or inadequate intake.

Prealbumin limitation

Prealbumin has a short half-life of about two days but is a negative acute-phase reactant. Inflammation, infection, or stress lowers it independent of actual nutritional intake.

MUST screening tool

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool scores body mass index, unplanned weight loss, and acute disease effect. A total score of two or more triggers a formal nutrition care plan.

Waist circumference risk

Central adiposity is flagged at greater than 102 cm (40 inches) in men and greater than 88 cm (35 inches) in women. These thresholds indicate elevated cardiometabolic risk.

Handgrip dynamometry

A functional assessment of muscle strength that often declines before anthropometric measures change. It is a sensitive marker of malnutrition risk and functional reserve.

DASH dietary pattern

A pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and potassium that lowers blood pressure. Sodium reduction below 2300 mg daily adds roughly 5 to 6 mmHg systolic benefit.

Weekly activity target

Adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly plus two resistance training sessions. This supports weight maintenance and metabolic health.

Weight loss calorie deficit

A 500 kcal daily deficit produces approximately 0.45 kg (1 lb) of fat loss per week. Larger deficits rarely improve long-term adherence and may increase lean mass loss.

Glycemic load formula

Glycemic load equals glycemic index multiplied by available carbohydrate in grams, divided by 100. It better reflects total blood glucose impact than index alone.

Soluble fiber and LDL

Five to ten grams daily of soluble fiber such as beta-glucan or psyllium lowers LDL cholesterol. It binds bile acids and increases their fecal excretion.

Transtheoretical model stages

Stages are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Relapse is a normal cyclical event rather than a failure of the change process.

Sleep and appetite hormones

Sleep restriction below six hours raises ghrelin and lowers leptin. This increases hunger and preference for energy-dense foods, promoting weight gain.

Alcohol energy content

Alcohol provides 7 kcal per gram and suppresses fat oxidation. Guidance limits intake to one drink daily for women and two for men.

Vitamin D3 vs D2

Cholecalciferol (D3) raises serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D more potently than ergocalciferol (D2). Typical repletion dosing is 1000 to 2000 IU daily.

Calcium absorption limit

Elemental calcium absorption saturates above roughly 500 mg per dose. Total daily intake should therefore be split across multiple doses for efficiency.

Vitamin B12 absorption

B12 requires intrinsic factor for ileal absorption. Oral high-dose or sublingual forms bypass this mechanism and treat pernicious anemia effectively.

Iron absorption enhancers

Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption, while phytates, tannins, and calcium inhibit it. Ferrous salts are best absorbed on an empty stomach.

Folic acid and neural tube

Periconceptional folic acid at 400 mcg daily reduces neural tube defect risk. Supplementation must begin before conception and continue through early pregnancy.

Omega-3 triglyceride effect

EPA and DHA at 2 to 4 grams daily lower triglycerides substantially. They have minimal effect on LDL cholesterol and may slightly raise it.

Magnesium bioavailability

Magnesium oxide has high elemental content but poor absorption. Citrate and glycinate forms are better absorbed and less likely to cause GI upset.

Strain-specific probiotics

Probiotic benefits are specific to individual strains, not whole species. Evidence for one strain does not transfer to another, so labels must identify strains.

Fat-soluble vitamin toxicity

Vitamins A, D, E, and K accumulate in body tissue and can reach toxic levels with high-dose supplementation. Water-soluble excess is generally excreted in urine.

Glycolysis net yield

Glycolysis converts one glucose to two pyruvate, yielding 2 ATP and 2 NADH. Pyruvate dehydrogenase then forms acetyl-CoA for the citric acid cycle.

Beta-oxidation products

Each cycle cleaves two carbons from fatty acyl-CoA, producing acetyl-CoA, FADH2, and NADH. Excess acetyl-CoA drives ketogenesis when cycle capacity is exceeded.

Insulin GLUT4 signaling

Insulin activates PI3K and Akt signaling, which translocates GLUT4 transporters to the membrane. This increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Hepatic gluconeogenesis

During fasting beyond roughly 8 to 12 hours, the liver supplies most blood glucose. Substrates include lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids.

mTORC1 and AMPK

mTORC1 drives protein synthesis in response to amino acids and insulin. AMPK senses low cellular ATP and inhibits mTORC1, favoring catabolic pathways.

Collagen synthesis cofactor

Vitamin C is required by prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase during collagen synthesis. Deficiency impairs cross-linking and reduces wound tensile strength.

Wound healing phases

Phases are hemostasis within minutes, inflammation over days 1 to 3, proliferation over days 4 to 21, and remodeling over weeks to months.

Zinc in wound repair

Zinc is a cofactor for matrix metalloproteinases and DNA-binding proteins. Deficiency delays epithelialization and impairs wound closure and immune function.