Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene that are found at the same place on a chromosome.

Amyloid Plaques: Aggregates of amyloid-beta proteins accumulating between neurons, forming sticky clusters associated with Alzheimer's disease progression.

Anti-inflammatory: Foods or substances that reduce inflammation in the body, helping to alleviate symptoms of chronic diseases.

APOE (Apolipoprotein E): A gene associated with cholesterol transport, cognitive function, and risk for Alzheimer's disease, influencing individual responses to diet and lifestyle. Variants include:

• APOE ε2: Associated with reduced risk and protective effects.

• APOE ε3: Neutral risk factor, most common variant.

• APOE ε4: Increases Alzheimer's and cardiovascular risk significantly, with homozygous APOE ε4/4 having the highest risk.

Bioavailability: The proportion of nutrients or bioactive compounds that are absorbed and utilized by the body.

Biomarker: A measurable indicator of a biological state or condition, often used in medical diagnosis and research.

Brain Opioids: Chemicals produced naturally by the brain influencing mood, pleasure, and food cravings, particularly for sugary treats.

Cholesterol Transport: The process by which cholesterol is moved throughout the body, crucial for cell membrane integrity and hormone production.

Circadian Rhythm: The body's internal biological clock, regulating sleep-wake cycles and metabolic processes.

Cognitive Decline: Gradual loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, thinking, and reasoning, often associated with aging or neurological disorders.

Cortisol: A hormone produced by the adrenal glands, often called the "stress hormone," affecting metabolism, immune responses, and inflammation.

Dessert Appetite: A specific craving or hunger emerging after a meal, making dessert appealing despite feeling satisfied or full.

Dysbiosis: Imbalance of the microbiome, often in the gut, leading to digestive issues and systemic inflammation.

Epigenetics: Study of changes in gene expression influenced by external or environmental factors without altering the DNA sequence.

Feeding Behavior: Patterns and behaviors related to food intake, including triggers for eating and consumption amount.

Fermentation: Metabolic process using microorganisms to convert sugars into beneficial substances like acids, gases, or alcohol.

Food Reward: Pleasure and positive feelings experienced from eating tasty foods, particularly sugary foods, encouraging repeat consumption.

Functional Medicine: A systems biology-based approach addressing root causes of disease.

Gene Expression: Process where information from a gene synthesizes functional products like proteins essential for biological functions.

Gut-Brain Axis: Biochemical signaling between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system influencing mood, digestion, and overall health.

Hedonic hunger is the pleasure-driven urge to eat tasty foods even when you're not physically hungry.

Heterozygous: Having two different alleles of a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

Homozygous: Having two identical alleles of a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

Hypothalamus: A brain region regulating bodily functions including hunger, thirst, and satiety.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a complex set of interactions involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress, controlling reactions such as cortisol release, mood regulation, immune function, and energy metabolism.

Inflammation: A biological response of tissues to injury or irritation, potentially chronic and contributing to diseases.

Intermittent Fasting (IF): Eating pattern cycling between fasting and eating, used for weight and metabolic health management.

Ketogenic Diet (Keto): Low-carb, high-fat diet inducing ketosis, a state where the body burns fat for energy.

Lipid Metabolism: Processes involving lipid synthesis and breakdown in cells for energy and structural functions.

Macronutrients (Macros): Essential nutrients needed in large amounts, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Metabolic Syndrome: Cluster of conditions increasing risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Microbiome: Collection of microorganisms living in and on the body crucial for digestion, immunity, and health.

Mitochondria: Cell organelles responsible for energy production and metabolic functions.

Myelin Sheath: Protective fatty layer surrounding nerve fibers, essential for electrical signal transmission.

µ-Opioid Receptors: Brain receptors responding strongly to opioids, influencing pleasure from sweet foods.

Neural Circuit: Connected neuron pathways transmitting signals and regulating behaviors like sugar cravings.

Neurodegeneration: Progressive loss of neuron structure or function, including neuron death.

Neuroinflammation: Inflammation within the brain or spinal cord, contributing to neurodegenerative disease progression.

Neuroplasticity: Brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Neuroprotection: Strategies or agents protecting nerve cells against damage or impairment.

Nutraceuticals: Foods or supplements providing medicinal or health benefits.

Obesity: Excessive body fat often resulting from chronic overeating and complex brain signaling systems.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential fats found in foods like fish and flaxseeds, supporting brain health and anti-inflammatory properties.

Overeating: Eating beyond the body's nutritional needs, often driven by cravings.

Oxidative Stress: Harmful imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, causing cell damage.

Paraventricular Thalamus: Brain region processing rewards, pleasure, and cravings related to appetite.

Personalized Medicine: Tailored medical strategies based on individual genetic makeup and lifestyle.

POMC Neurons: Brain cells in hypothalamus signaling fullness but can also stimulate sweet cravings.

Prebiotics: Non-digestible fibers nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.

Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria and yeasts improving gut health.

Risk Factor: Attribute increasing disease or injury likelihood.

Sensory-specific Satiety: Reduced satisfaction from repeatedly eaten foods, increasing cravings for varied tastes.

Sugar Cravings: Intense urge for sugary foods, often persisting despite fullness.

Superfoods: Nutrient-rich foods beneficial for health.

Synaptic Dysfunction: Impaired neuron communication affecting cognitive function.

Tau Tangles: Twisted tau protein fibers disrupting neuron function.

Telomeres: Protective chromosome caps indicating cellular aging.

Tryptophan: Amino acid producing serotonin and melatonin, affecting mood and sleep.

Whole Foods: Minimally processed foods retaining natural nutrients.

Zone Diet: Nutritional strategy balancing macronutrients for insulin and inflammation control.

β-Endorphin: Natural opioid reducing stress, enhancing mood, and increasing sugar cravings.