| Galactose |
| A type of sugar found in milk products and sugar beets. It is also made by the body naturally. It is considered a nutritive sweetener because it has calories. |
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| Gamete |
| A reproductive cell (the sperm from a man, the egg from a woman). |
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| Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) |
| A technique that may be used in lieu of in vitro fertilization for women with patent tubes. After egg retrieval the eggs are mixed with the husband's sperm and then injected through the fimbria into the woman's fallopian tubes for in vivo fertilization. |
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| Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) |
| Omega-6 oils that regulate insulin and seem to protect against diabetic heart, eye, and kidney damage. Both omega-6 and omega-3 oils help cleanse the heart and arteries. GLA fatty acids are available in evening primrose, borage, or black currant seed oils. |
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| Gene |
| A basic unit of heredity. Genes are made of DNA, a substance that tells cells what to do and when to do it. The information in the genes is passed from parent to child-for example, a gene might tell some cells to make the hair red or the eyes brown. |
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| Gestation |
| The period of time between fertilization of an egg by a sperm and birth of a baby. |
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| Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) |
| A type of diabetes mellitus that can occur when a woman is pregnant. In the second half of the pregnancy, the woman may have glucose (sugar) in the blood at a higher than normal level. However, when the pregnancy ends, the blood glucose levels return to normal in about 95 percent of all cases. Sometimes occurs in women with PCOS. |
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| Ginkgo Biloba |
| An herb with active compounds that improve blood parameters and act as a free radical scavenger to protect cell membranes in the brain and other tissues. They increase the uptake and utilization of oxygen and glucose; help increase the flow of blood to the brain and extremities; regulate neurotransmission to help protect against memory loss and mood imbalance. |
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| Ginseng |
| An herb believed to enhance physical and mental endurance, increase energy, reduce cholesterol, to support adrenal function, to reduce stress and regulate blood sugar. |
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| Gland |
| A group of special cells that make substances so that other parts of the body can work. For example, the pancreas is a gland that releases insulin so that other body cells can use glucose (sugar) for energy. |
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| Glucagon |
| A hormone that raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The alpha cells of the pancreas (in areas called the islets of Langerhans) make glucagon when the body needs to put more sugar into the blood. |
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| Glucose |
| A simple sugar found in the blood. It is the body's main source of energy; also known as dextrose. See also: Blood glucose. |
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| Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) |
| A test given to measure a person’s glucose and/or insulin levels over a given period of time. The test begins in a lab or doctor's office in the morning before the person has eaten (fasting). A first sample of blood is taken from the person. Then the person drinks a liquid that has glucose (sugar) in it called glucola. After one hour, a second blood sample is drawn, and, after another hour, a third sample is taken. GTT’s can be extended for longer periods of time if ordered by a physician. The object is to see how the person’s glucose and/or insulin levels are affected by the ingested glucola over time. |
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| Glucophage |
| A brand name for metformin, an insulin-sensitizing medication. |
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| Glycemic Response |
| The effect of different foods on blood glucose (sugar) levels over a period of time. Researchers have discovered that some kinds of foods may raise blood glucose levels more quickly than other foods containing the same amount of carbohydrates. |
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| Glycogen |
| A substance made up of sugars. It is stored in the liver and muscles and releases glucose (sugar) into the blood when needed by cells. Glycogen is the chief source of stored fuel in the body. |
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| Glycosuria |
| Having glucose (sugar) in the urine. |
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| Gonadotropins |
| Hormones, which control reproductive function: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenizing Hormone (LH). |
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| Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) |
| A substance secreted by the hypothalamus every ninety minutes or so. This hormone enables the pituitary to secrete LH and FSH, which stimulate the gonads. See also FSH; LH. |
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| Gonad |
| The gland that makes reproductive cells and "sex" hormones, as the testicles, which make sperm and testosterone, and the ovaries, which make eggs (ova) and estrogen. |
