Luminal contents refer to the various components in the lumen. These components include food substrates, compounds produced during digestion, toxic chemicals, microbes, fluids, and digestive enzymes.

A macro theory is a broad, large-scale theoretical framework aiming to explain a wide range of phenomena. They generally propose a number of basic principles with a high level of abstraction that are than used to generate hypotheses and create mini theories that apply those principles to explaining specific phenomena. Although such frameworks exist in all sciences, the term “macro theory” is almost exclusively used in social sciences and psychology.

Macronutrients are nutrients required in large amounts by the body for energy and proper functioning. They include carbohydrates (energy), proteins (growth and repair), and fats (energy storage and insulation).

Macrophages are large white blood cells that engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and other harmful invaders. They play a key role in immune responses by presenting antigens to other immune cells.

Major neurocognitive disorder, formerly known as dementia, is defined by significant progressive deficits in cognitive functioning that impair a person’s independence and ability to perform daily tasks (Sousa et al., 2020).

Maladaptive eating behaviors refer to patterns of eating that are harmful to physical or mental health. These behaviors often develop as coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional distress or other psychological issues. Examples include emotional eating, binge eating, restrictive eating, and other unhealthy eating patterns that can lead to negative consequences such as weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, and mental health problems.

The maladaptive stress response is a physiological and psychological reaction to stress that is considered detrimental to the individual’s well-being. It hinders effective coping, potentially leading to negative outcomes such as chronic health issues or mental health disorders.

In the context of DMHR, a mechanism refers to the detailed series of events or processes at the molecular, cellular, or physiological level that underlie a specific biological function or response. These mechanisms can involve complex biochemical pathways, molecular interactions, and cellular processes that collectively contribute to the overall functioning of living organisms.

In general, memory refers to the retention of information. Multiple memory models have been developed within different disciplines. For the purposes of Nutritional Psychology, episodic memory will be the definition of choice. Episodic memory is a category of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences.

Memory B-cells are B-cells that “remember” previous encounters with specific pathogens. In subsequent exposures, memory B-cells facilitate a faster and more robust immune response, contributing to immunological memory.