SYSTEM GLOSSARY
I. Bioenergetics & Metabolic Signaling
ATP
Adenosine Triphosphate. The universal energy currency. Optimized via mitochondrial efficiency to prevent ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) leakage and cellular damage.
mTOR
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin. The master nutrient sensor. Triggered by amino acids (specifically Leucine) and resistance training to initiate Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS).
GH
Growth Hormone. Peptide hormone critical for tissue repair and SMMI maintenance. Secretion peaks specifically during the first cycles of SWS (Slow Wave Sleep).
SCFA
Short-Chain Fatty Acids. Metabolites (like Butyrate) produced by gut microbiota that act as systemic signaling molecules for insulin sensitivity and immune regulation.
II. One-Carbon Metabolism (Methylation)
MTHFR
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase. The enzyme responsible for creating 5-MTHF (Active Folate). Critical for recycling Homocysteine back into Methionine.
SAM / SAH
S-adenosylmethionine / S-adenosylhomocysteine. The 'Methylation Ratio.' SAM is the primary methyl donor for DNA regulation; SAH is the potent inhibitor of those same reactions.
CBS
Cystathionine Beta-Synthase. The enzyme that pulls Homocysteine out of the methylation cycle and into the transsulfuration pathway to create Glutathione (the master antioxidant).
SNP
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. A variation in a single DNA building block. SNPs in MTHFR (C677T) determine your specific B-vitamin 'burn rate'.
III. Structural & Organ Reserve
SMMI
Skeletal Muscle Mass Index. Appendicular Lean Mass (ALM) divided by height². The primary structural proxy for metabolic clearance and all-cause mortality risk.
eGFR
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. Calculated via the CKD-EPI equation to estimate kidney filtration volume. Vital for monitoring the load of high-protein protocols.
DEXA
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. The clinical gold standard for measuring ALM and visceral fat to calculate accurate SMMI percentiles.
IV. Inflammatory Signaling
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein. A liver-derived marker of systemic inflammation. In the Forge, we target < 1.0 mg/L for optimal longevity.
IL-6 / TNF-α
Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha. Pro-inflammatory cytokines that drive 'inflammaging.' IL-6 also acts as a myokine during exercise to help regulate metabolism.
V. Neural & Circadian Flux
SCN
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. The hypothalamus-based master clock. It interprets Lux intensity to regulate the cortisol-melatonin 'flip-flop' switch.
SWS
Slow Wave Sleep. The only window where the brain's glymphatic system clears metabolic waste (amyloid-beta) while GH peaks.
Lux
A unit of light intensity. 10,000 Lux is the clinical threshold for 'Anchoring' the circadian rhythm in the morning.
VI. Analytics & Methodology
RCT
Randomized Controlled Trial. The rigorous study design used to determine causality in the Research Archive (e.g., the VITACOG trial for B-vitamins).
PRS
Polygenic Risk Score. A calculated genomic risk profile that combines thousands of SNPs to predict disease susceptibility.
µmol/L
Micromoles per liter. The standard unit for Homocysteine (Optimal: < 7) and other high-fidelity metabolites.