Atkins Diabetes Revolution (58 page)

3. Arrange the zucchini into the bottom of a pie plate by overlapping them in circles, starting with the outside edge and working toward the center. Sprinkle with salt and ½ teaspoon of the garlic powder. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the bottom layer. Add the second layer of zucchini and sprinkle with salt and the remaining garlic powder and butter. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.

4. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the oven up to 450°F and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned.

Per serving:

Carbohydrate: 7 grams; Net Carbs: 4 grams; Fiber: 3 grams; Protein: 6 grams; Fat: 9 grams;

Calories: 120

Glossary

A1C:
See
Glycated hemoglobin test.

Acanthosis nigricans:
Dark skin patches often found in children and adults who have prediabetes or diabetes; they are caused by insulin resistance.

ACE:
See
Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium.

ACE inhibitor drugs:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme drugs used to treat hypertension,such as benazepril (Lotensin),captopril (Capoten), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).

Advanced glycated end products (AGEs):
The result of glucose in the body binding with proteins; a major cause of blood vessel damage and other complications of diabetes.

Aerobic exercise:
Exercise that increases your heart rate and the consumption of oxygen.

AGEs:
See
Advanced glycated end products.

AGR:
See
Atkins Glycemic Ranking.

Amino acids:
The building blocks of protein; necessary for maintaining normal metabolism.

Anaerobic exercise:
Also called resistance exercise. Any exercise that builds muscle strength.

Antioxidants:
Substances that neutralize free radicals in the body.
ARB drugs:
Angiotensin receptor blocker drugs used to treat hypertension,such as irbesartan (Avapro),losartan (Cozaar),and valsartan (Diovan).

Atherosclerosis:
Blood vessels clogged, narrowed, and hardened by deposits known as plaques.

Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium (ACE):
The amount of Net Carbs in grams an individual can eat on a daily basis without gaining or losing weight.

Atkins Glycemic Ranking (AGR):
A comparative ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on their glycemic index and glycemic load.

Beta-blocker drugs:
Drugs such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); most commonly used to treat hypertension.

Beta cells:
Specialized cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
Biguanide drugs:
Oral medications used to treat diabetes by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and increasing insulin sensitivity.
See also
Metformin.

Blood lipids:
Refers to total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood; the blood test that measures these factors.

Blood pressure:
A measure of the force your bloodstream exerts against the walls of your arteries as your heart beats and rests.

Blood sugar:
The amount of glucose in the bloodstream.

BMI:
See
Body mass index.

Body mass index (BMI):
A measure of your body weight relative to your height, used to indicate weight ranges for underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Calcium channel blockers:
Drugs used to treat hypertension, such as amlopidine (Norvasc), diltiazam (Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Covera).

Carbohydrate:
A macronutrient found in plant foods that is broken down into glucose during the digestive process.

Cholesterol:
A waxy substance necessary for many body functions,including making cell walls and hormones.

Coenzyme Q
₁₀
(CoQ
₁₀
):
An enzyme needed for normal production of energy in the mitochondria within the body’s cells.

CoQ
₁₀
:
See
Coenzyme Q
₁₀
.

C-peptide:
A small protein normally produced as a by-product of insulin.The level of c-peptide in the blood is an indirect way of measuring insulin production.

C-reactive protein (CRP):
A natural chemical in the blood used as a marker of inflammation.

CRP:
See
C-reactive protein.

Diabetes mellitus:
Hyperglycemia due to an inability to use blood sugar for energy.
See also
Gestational diabetes; Type 1 diabetes;

Type 2 diabetes.

Diastolic blood pressure:
The pressure in your blood vessels when the heart rests between beats; the second, lower number in a blood pressure reading.

Dietary reference intakes (DRI):
Reference values for nutrient and energy intake for use in dietary plans and assessments.

Digestible fiber:
Dietary fiber in the form of pectin and other substances. Also called soluble fiber.

Diuretics:
Drugs that remove fluid from the body by causing increased urination.

DNA:
The molecule that encodes genetic information in the nucleus of a cell and determines its structure, function, and behavior.

Endothelial dysfunction:
Inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels, or endothelium.

Endothelium:
The thin layer of cells lining all blood vessels.
Essential fatty acids:
Dietary fats necessary for your body,which must be obtained from food or supplements.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS):
The amount of sugar (blood glucose) in the blood after a fast of 8 to 12 hours.

Fasting plasma glucose:
See
Fasting blood sugar.

Fat:
Oily, organic compounds that don’t dissolve in water but do dissolve in other oils; also known as lipids. Fat is one of the three macronutrients in foods.

FBS:
See
Fasting blood sugar.

Fiber:
The nondigestible parts of plant foods, such as cell walls.

Fibrinogen:
A protein in the blood that is important for blood clotting. High levels can cause dangerous blood clots within blood vessels.

Free radicals:
Harmful molecules created as part of normal metabo lism. Excess free radicals can cause damage to cells and cause oxidation.

Fructose:
A simple sugar found in fruit and fruit juices.

Gestational diabetes:
A form of diabetes that sometimes occurs during pregnancy.

GI:
See
Glycemic index.

GL:
See
Glycemic load.

Glitazone drugs:
See
Thiazolidinedione drugs.

Glucophage:
See
Metformin.

Glucose:
A simple form of sugar burned as fuel by your body.

Glucose tolerance test (GTT):
A test used to diagnose blood sugar abnormalities. Blood glucose is measured before and several times after drinking a high-glucose solution. The results show how the body uses blood sugar over a specific period of time.

Glycated hemoglobin test:
A blood test that reflects blood sugar control over the past two to three months; also known as A1C.

Glycation:
The process causing damage to protein in the body as a result of high levels of blood sugar.

Glycemic index (GI):
A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on the food’s impact on blood sugar relative to the same amount of glucose or white bread.

Glycemic load (GL):
A ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on the food’s fiber content, glycemic index, and portion size.

Glycogen:
Glucose stored in the liver and muscle tissues.

GTT:
See
Glucose tolerance test.

HDL cholesterol:
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also known as “good” cholesterol, a type of lipoprotein used to carry cholesterol back to the liver.

High blood pressure:
See
Hypertension.

Homocysteine:
A by-product of metabolizing the amino acid methionine. High levels of homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Hormone:
A chemical such as insulin produced in a gland or organ and carried in the blood to another part of the body to stimulate a particular function.

Hydrogenated vegetable oil:
See
Trans fat.
Hyperglycemia:
Excessive sugar in the blood.

Hyperinsulinism:
Excessive insulin in the blood.

Hypertension:
A condition in which blood flows through blood vessels with more force than normal; also known as high blood pressure.

Hypoglycemia:
Lower than normal blood sugar.

Hypothyroidism:
A decrease in thyroid activity resulting in slowed metabolism.
See also
Thyroid gland.

Impaired fasting glucose:
A fasting blood sugar level between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL; also known as prediabetes.

Impaired glucose tolerance:
Blood sugar that rises to between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL two hours after the start of an oral glucose tolerance test or after a high-carb meal; also known as prediabetes.

Inflammation:
Redness, swelling, heat, and dysfunction of a body part for a variety of reasons, including infection or injury.

Insulin:
A hormone produced by the pancreas and used to carry glucose into the cells for energy.

Insulin resistance:
The inability of cells to respond properly to insulin, the first stage of the metabolic syndrome.

Ketoacidosis:
An emergency condition usually caused by extremely high blood sugar levels combined with a severe lack of insulin.This dangerous metabolic imbalance results in an abnormal acid state. If not immediately treated, this condition can lead to coma. Not to be confused with the perfectly safe production of ketones,resulting solely from following a low-carb dietary program.

Ketones:
A by-product of fat that the body uses for energy.

Ketosis:
Having ketones in the blood and urine,often as a result of following a low-carbohydrate eating plan; also known as benign dietary ketosis.

Lactose:
A simple sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

LADA:
See
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA):
A condition in which adults develop Type 1 diabetes.

LDL cholesterol:
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also known as “bad” cholesterol; a lipoprotein found in the blood and used to carry cholesterol to the cells.

Lipid profile:
See
Blood lipids.

Lipids:
A general term for fats in the body.

Lipoic acid.
An antioxidant related to the B vitamins; used to treat peripheral neuropathy. Also known as alpha lipoic acid, or ALA.

Lipoprotein(a).
A form of LDL cholesterol that has been shown to be an independent risk factor for heart disease.

Lp(a).
See
Lipoprotein(a).

Macronutrient.
The dietary sources of calories and nutrients; specifically protein, fat, and carbohydrate.

Meglitinide drugs.
Short-acting oral drugs for Type 2 diabetes, such as repaglinide (Prandin), that help the pancreas produce insulin immediately after meals.

Metabolic syndrome.
A group of several signs or conditions, which include central obesity, hypertension, low HDL, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. A major risk factor for heart disease, prediabetes, and diabetes. Also known as syndrome X.