Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are proteins produced by B-cells in response to the presence of antigens. They bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells.

An antidepressant is a class of medication primarily prescribed to treat clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and certain chronic pain conditions by balancing neurotransmitters—such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—in the brain…

Antigens are molecules or molecular structures, often found on the surface of pathogens, that trigger an immune response. They stimulate the production of antibodies or the activation of immune cells.

Antimicrobial peptides are small, naturally occurring peptides produced by immune cells and epithelial cells to inhibit or ward off pathogens (harmful invading microorganisms) such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi (Bahar…

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules generated during normal metabolic processes. They neutralize free radicals by donating electrons, helping to…

Anxiety is an emotion we experience when we anticipate danger, but that danger has not yet materialized. In such a situation, we experience a sense of uncertainty as we prepare…

Appetite is the process of hunger arising from learned associations between various cues for food and their consequences. It is one of the two processes of hunger, with the other…

Appetite regulation is a complex feedback system between the hypothalamus, peripheral organs, and physiological, psychological, and environmental variables controlling energy balance, hunger, and satiety.

Our ability to control and regulate our dietary intake, including when, what, and how much we eat.

The arcuate nucleus is a cluster of neurons located at the base of the hypothalamus. It plays a central role in regulating appetite, metabolism, and energy balance. This nucleus integrates…