LACTOSE
A disaccharide composed of a unit of glucose and a unit of galactose. Also known as milk sugar, lactose is produced commercially from whey.
LAMINITIS
Inflammation of the sensitive vascular tissue of the hoof.
LAXATIVE
A feed or drugs that will induce bowel movements (defecation) and relieve constipation.
LEAF
Structure, usually flat and green that grows from a stem or stalk of a plant and is responsible for photosynthesis.
LEGUME
A plant of the family leguminosae which bears a pod that splits into two valves with the seed attached to lower edge of one of the valves (examples: pea, bean, clover, alfalfa, lespedeza). Also, legumes are characterized by the nodules on their roots that allow these plants to use atmospheric nitrogen reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer and improving soil fertility.
LIGNIN
Indigestible phenolic compound which, as the plant matures, is deposited in the cell wall and is responsible for the decrease in digestibility of the cell wall carbohydrates.
LIMESTONE
A sedimentary rock, chiefly calcium carbonate (CaCO3), containing variable amounts of magnesium. It is used as building stone, but also as a source of calcium in ration of animals.
LIPASE
An enzyme that breaks down fat.
LIPID
Any of the numerous fat or fat-like materials that are generally insoluble in water, but soluble in common organic solvents. Nutritionally, lipids contain about 2.25 times more energy then carbohydrates.
LIPOPROTEINS
Protein coated packages that transport fats in the bloodstream
LIPOTROPIC
Any compound that helps to prevent the accumulation of abnormal or excessive amounts of fat in the liver, control blood sugar levels, and enhance fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
LIVER
A large gland that has multiple functions, one of which is to secrete bile and digestive enzymes that are mixed with the digesta entering the duodenum.
LYSINE
One of the 20 amino acids constituting the building blocks of proteins. Animals have a high requirement for lysine, and it is often deficient in proteins of plants.