Diet & Nutrition Glossary: D

daidzein : A phytoestrogen found in extracts of soybeans, red clover, and kudzu root.

dietary fat : The fat that you get from the food you eat.

dietary fiber : A group of complex carbohydrates that are not a source of energy for human beings.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans : A collection of sensible suggestions first published by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (USDA/HHS) in 1980, with five revised editions since then (1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005).

disordered eating : A temporary eating pattern to cope with a temporary stress or an overly strict weight-loss diet.

diuretic : Something that makes you urinate more.

docosahexaenoic acid; DHA: An omega-3 fatty acid that reduces inflammation, perhaps by inhibiting an enzyme called COX-2, which is linked to inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

dopamine: A neurotransmitter that makes you feel alert.