Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

elieved to result from a destruction of the lubricant propertiesof saliva because of precipitation by tannins.Ateromixol TM See policosanols.atheroma The fatty deposit composed of lipids, complex carbohydratesand fibrous tissue which forms on the inner wall ofblood vessels in atherosclerosis.atherosclerosis Degenerative disease of the arteries in whichthere is accumulation on the inner wall of lipids together withcomplex carbohydrates and fibrous tissue, called atheroma.Thisleads to narrowing of the lumen of the arteries. When it occursin the coronary artery it can lead to failure of the blood supplyto the heart muscle (ischaemia).See also arteriosclerosis.athletae Roman; unleavened bread mixed with curd cheese.atholl brose Scottish beverage made from malt whisky, honey,cream and oatmeal.Atkins diet A ketogenic diet originally proposed in 1972, inwhich carbohydrate intake is strictly limited but fat and proteinare permitted in unlimited amounts. It is effective for weight loss,since ketonaemia reduces appetite; fat and protein may be moresatiating than carbohydrates, and the energy cost of gluconeogenesisfrom amino acids to maintain blood glucose increasesmetabolic rate, but it runs counter to all modern advice on aprudent diet.atomic absorption spectrometry Technique for measurement of avariety of metals in a flame or heated gas, in the atomic state, byabsorption of light at a wavelength specific for each element.atomisation The process of converting a liquid or slurry into a finespray suitable for spray drying.atomiser Apparatus for atomisation of liquids or slurries.ATP Adenosine triphosphate, the coenzyme that acts as an intermediatebetween energy-yielding (catabolic) metabolism (theoxidation of metabolic fuels) and energy expenditure as physicalwork and in synthetic (anabolic) reactions. ADP (adenosinediphosphate) is phosphorylated to ATP linked to oxidations;in energy expenditure ATP is hydrolysed to ADP andphosphate ions.See also adenine; purines.atrophy Wasting of normally-developed tissue or muscle as aresult of disuse, ageing or undernutrition.atropine One of the belladonna alkaloids; anticholinergic compoundacting on muscarinic receptors. Acts as a smooth musclerelaxant, used as the sulphate in treatment of dyspepsia,irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease. Syntheticcompounds with similar action and uses, but fewer central41