A naturally-occurring element found in soil, water, food, and air. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with the development of several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In utero and early childhood exposure to arsenic is associated with poor cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults.

A measurable substance in an organism that is indicative of some phenomenon such as disease, infection, or environmental exposure.

A commonly occurring metal element. Cadmium is used in batteries, alloys, electroplated coatings, solar cells, plastics, and pigments. Cadmium and its related compounds are carcinogenic and target the body’s cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Exposure to cadmium typically occurs via food, cigarettes, second-hand smoke, or emissions from fossil fuels.

The totality of non-genetic exposures a person experiences during a lifetime. The exposome comprises both tangible and intangible exposures, ranging from food, air, physical surroundings, microbes, and chemicals to psychological stressors, education level, and financial status, among others, and likely has myriad effects on human health. Assessing and quantifying the exposome presents challenges, but the length of telomeres, distinct structures comprised of short, repetitive sequences of DNA located on the ends of chromosomes, may provide a suitable proxy for its assessment.

Naturally occurring metallic elements that adversely affect human health. Heavy metals enter the environment by natural means and through human activities. In very low concentrations, heavy metals maintain various biochemical and physiological functions, but at higher concentrations are often toxic. The most commonly found heavy metals in the environment include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.

A critical element of the body’s immune response. Inflammation occurs when the body is exposed to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective response that involves immune cells, cell-signaling proteins, and pro-inflammatory factors. Acute inflammation occurs after minor injuries or infections and is characterized by local redness, swelling, or fever. Chronic inflammation occurs on the cellular level in response to toxins or other stressors and is often “invisible.” It plays a key role in the development of many chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

A result of oxidative metabolism, which causes damage to DNA, lipids, proteins, mitochondria, and the cell. Oxidative stress occurs through the process of oxidative phosphorylation (the generation of energy) in mitochondria. It can also result from the generation of hypochlorite during immune activation.

Meat that has been modified through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation. Many processing techniques involve the addition of salt, sugar, nitrates, or nitrites. Nitrites, in particular, pose a health concern because during the digestive process, nitrites can form N-nitroso-compounds (NOCs), also known as nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. Examples of processed meats include sausages, hot dogs, salami, ham, luncheon meats, and cured bacon, among others.

Distinctive structures comprised of short, repetitive sequences of DNA located on the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres form a protective “cap” – a sort of disposable buffer that gradually shortens with age – that prevents chromosomes from losing genes or sticking to other chromosomes during cell division. When the telomeres on a cell’s chromosomes get too short, the chromosome reaches a “critical length,” and the cell stops dividing (senescence) or dies (apoptosis). Telomeres are replenished by the enzyme telomerase, a reverse transcriptase.