Glossary, explained simply.

Scientific words are useful when they make an idea more precise. They are not useful when they force the reader to decode every sentence. This glossary provides the short explanation first and preserves the correct term for readers who want to go deeper.

Molecule

A group of atoms held together as one unit. Water, vitamin B12, peptides, and proteins are all molecules, even though they are very different in size and function.

Amino acid

A small molecule the body can use on its own or connect with others to make peptides and proteins.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids. Some peptides carry messages, but the word peptide alone does not tell you what one does.

Protein

A folded chain of amino acids that performs a job or forms part of a body structure.

Hormone

A chemical message that changes what another cell, tissue, or organ does.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor, somewhat like pressing a biological switch.

Receptor

A structure on or inside a cell that recognizes a particular signal and helps the cell respond.

Investigational

Still being formally studied and not established or approved for the use being discussed.

Compounded

Prepared by a licensed pharmacy for a particular need rather than made as a mass-produced FDA-approved product.

FDA-approved

Reviewed by the FDA and authorized for a specific use, population, formulation, and set of prescribing conditions.

Coenzyme

A small helper molecule that an enzyme needs to perform certain chemical reactions.