Glossary - T

Thorax

Thorax is the Latin and anatomical word describing the chest, or upper part of the body containing vital organs such the heart, lungs, and thymus gland, as well as muscles and various other internal structures.

Thrush

Thrush is a fungal infection almost always caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans. Symptoms of thrush include white spots in the mouth, sometimes accompanied by pain. Alternatively, see vaginal thrush.

Healthcare practitioners can find out about probiotics for thrush on our sister site, Probiotic Professionals.

Transient

'Transient' refers to something that is temporary; remaining for a short period of time. A transient probiotic strain is therefore one that passes through the gut without adhering to the gut wall lining.

Adhesion to the gut wall lining is often considered an important factor in determining probiotic quality, as a probiotic that adheres can in turn colonise the digestive tract and have a longer lasting effect on the body. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 undergo tests with the Institut Rosell to ensure their adhesion to the epithelial cells of the gut.  

Certain probiotic species are, however, transient by nature. For example the unique Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic.  A probiotic can be transient, and yet still have a positive effect on the human body.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, which are usually measured alongside cholesterol as a risk factor for heart disease. The body uses triglycerides for energy production, however when levels are too high it can pose certain health problems. Triglyceride levels above 200 are considered high, with an increased risk affecting women. Factors affecting triglyceride levels in the blood include being overweight, smoking, excessive alcohol use as well as some genetic disorders. 

Triphala

Triphala is an Indian Ayuverdic herbal formula which literally translates into English as 'three fruits'.  The formula is made up of three fruit bearing plants; Harada, Amla and Bihara; which when taken together are thought to be beneficial in supporting digestive health - both in acting as a mild laxative and in cleansing the digestive system in cases of issues such as bloating. 

Triple Therapy

The standard medical treatment from the doctor for H. pylori is a 'triple therapy' which includes two different antibiotics in combination with an antacid known as a proton pump inhibitor.