Glossary: Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health

Vagus Nerve

A nerve in the parasympathetic nervous system which helps regulate heart rate, digestive processes, and respiratory rate. It extends from the brainstem through the neck and chest down to the abdomen. The vagus nerve helps promote relaxation, reduce stress, and maintain overall homeostasis by counteracting the “fight or flight” responses of the sympathetic nervous system.

Vegan Diet

A diet that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and often honey. It emphasizes plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. People who choose a vegan diet may do so for health, ethical, or environmental reasons. While a vegan diet can offer health benefits such as lower risks of heart disease and high blood pressure, it is prone to nutrient deficiencies, such as protein, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Vegetarian Diet

A diet that excludes meat and fish but includes plant-based foods and may include dairy products and eggs. Lacto-ovo vegetarians include dairy and eggs in the diet), lacto vegetarians include dairy but not eggs, while ovo vegetarians include eggs but not dairy. A well-balanced vegetarian diet can provide certain health benefits, but it's important to ensure adequate intake of nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.