Anorexia

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What is Anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa, commonly known as anorexia is both an eating disorder as well as a metabolic condition and mental health condition which results in excessive weight loss and extreme thinness caused by self-starvation. It has been estimated by NEDA that around 2% of American females and 0.3% of males will develop anorexia during their lifetime. Though anorexia commonly affects adolescent female, it can develop in anyone of any gender, age, ethnicity or cultural backgrounds. Athletes, dancers and people working or studying in an industry that emphasizes lean physiques are at a particularly high risk. In addition to extremely low body weight and fear of weight gain, other common signs and symptoms of anorexia include skipping meals, refusing to eat in public, frequent references or complaints about weight gain, excessive exercise regimes as well as covering up size with multiple layers of clothing. When suffering from anorexia, one is consumed by their own efforts to control body shape and size.

Although eating disorders circles around food, the root of the issue is psychological. In regards to anorexia, one severely restricts food intake and obsessively controls body weight because they often equate thinness with self worth. In the mind of a sufferer, the thinner they are the more value they have, meaning they can never be thin enough. Unfortunately this ideology can make ones body very sick. As with other eating disorders, there are not any single known causes, but many factors playing their role into the development of anorexia. Ones risks are increased if they have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling with an eating disorder. Obsessive-compulsive personality traits, such as perfectionism or sensitivity are also often associated with anorexia. Additionally scientists learned that genetics appear to play a major role, although more research is needed as researchers are only just beginning to figure out which genes are involved and what types of changes in these genes put people at higher risk of developing anorexia. Genetic scientists have pinpointed genes linking to depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Symptoms of Anorexia

  • Missing meals / Eating very little

  • Lying about what and when one has eaten

  • Lying about body weight

  • Taking appetite reducing supplements (Slimming or diet pills)

  • Exercising excessively

  • Overwhelming fear of weight gain

  • Believing your are fat when you are actually a healthy weight or underweight

  • Seeing weight loss as a positive thing

  • Not admitting the weight-loss is serious


You may also notice physical signs and symptoms such as:


  • Weight and height being lower for people under the age of 18 years old.

  • Unusually low BMI in adulthood.

  • Periods stopping in women who have not yet reached menopause.

  • Periods not starting in younger women and girls.

  • Bloating, constipation and abdominal pains.

  • Headaches and sleeping problems.

  • Feeling cold, dizzy or very tired often.

  • Poor circulation in hands and feet

  • Dry skin, hair loss from the scalp or fine hair growing on the body for warmth.

  • Reduced sex drive

 

How is Anorexia Diagnosed?

When ones doctor suspects that signs of anorexia nervosa is present, they will typically do several tests and examinations to help pinpoint a diagnosis, while ruling out other medical causes for the weight loss as well as check for any related complications. The main tests used are:

Physical Exam - This may include measuring your height and weight; checking your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, checking your skin and nails for problems, listening to your heart and lungs and examining your abdomen.

Lab Tests - These may include a complete blood count (CBC) and more-specialized blood tests to check electrolytes and protein as well as functionality of ones liver, kidney and thyroid. A urinalysis also may be done.

Psychological Evaluation - A doctor or mental health professional will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You may also be asked to complete psychological self-assessment questionnaires.

Other Studies – In some cases X-rays may be taken to check bone density, check for stress fractures or broken bones, or check for pneumonia or heart problems. Electrocardiograms may also be done to look for heart irregularities.

Your mental health professional also may use the diagnostic criteria for anorexia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.


Recommended Supplement for Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a serious, and sometimes lethal, physical and mental health condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Once a diagnosis is established, a combination of psychotherapy, medical treatment, and nutrition counselling may be prescribed. Below are some recommendations of nutritional supplements that can help in the resolution of anorexia.


Zell Oxygen – Can justly be described as an essential supplement. A more balanced and fundamental approach than oxygen therapy, and in almost all cases an key part of a regenerative program. Zell Oxygen has many years of successful clinical use behind it; it is the ultimate ‘food-state’ nutrient package. Due to its specific enzymes it compliments a full spectrum of natural vitamin and mineral formulations as recommended in the Core Regime. On top of this it has amazing abilities to help with anxiety and the nervous system which can often play a large role in anorexia and eating habits.

Wormwood - Is a bitter herb and can be used for a variety of digestion problems. It is especially useful for naturally stimulating appetite. It can also aid other digestive problems such as upset stomach or intestinal spasms. This can be helpful for people suffering with anorexia as when they start to increase food intake, their stomach may become irritated with the unusual amount of food. Wormwood can help to improve overall stomach health and appetite naturally with less discomfort after eating. It should be noted that wormwood should not be taken with alcohol.

Pollen Granules (Wild Spanish) - Bee pollen is very rich in B complex vitamins and also contains an important amount of vitamin C. It also contains proteins, amino acids, hormones and other good substances. It is best to take our necessary vitamins from food rather than from artificial sources like vitamin pills as our body assimilates them far better. Nutritionally speaking, bee pollen is a super-food and is recommended in anorexia cases because it naturally increases appetite.

Vitamin B12 Complex – Vitamin B is a vital vitamin for the formation of brain neurotransmitters which aid to balance mood. Due to patients with anorexia having lower nutritional intake, it is important to get a wide range of nutrients in a different form to give the body the resources it needs to become healthy. Vitamin B12 complex is an important group of vitamins as mood can play a huge role in the eating habits of any person and stabilising their mood can help stabilise their eating habits.


Lifestyle Changes to Improve Anorexia

Maintain a Healthy Weight - When you feel 'fat', ask yourself if your life would really be changed much if you were underweight. Would you be more successful and popular, or feel more loved? The things you want from life have little to do with how much you weigh. Remember, being thin doesn't equate to being happy.

Make Realistic Goals - Create a meal plan that gives you enough nutrients for normal health and growth. You can work toward a healthy weight by lowering your intake of high fat foods, sugar, and refined carbohydrates and aim to eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein . A dietitian can help you with a realistic meal plan that works for you.

Regular Exercise – This will help one to keep a healthy weight. Aim for 30-60 minutes, 3-5 days a week.

Avoid Known Triggers - Certain situations can distract you from your goals. Don't let yourself get too hungry and don't deprive yourself of foods you like. If you crave a certain high-fat, high-calorie food, it's okay to have it occasionally. Everyone is tempted by certain foods or to overeat at some point. If you feel this way, keep these foods out of the house. Stay away from these situations as much as you can.

Emotions - Can be powerful triggers for food binges/starvation. Pay attention to how you feel. Call a friend or therapist. Some people find writing in a journal helpful too.

Get Help When You Need It - Don't feel defeated if you fall back into old habits. This doesn't mean that you've failed. You're learning to build new habits. This will take time. If you have a relapse, call your therapist right away. You may need to fine tune your program.

Work on Building a Meaningful, Fulfilling, and Satisfying Life - Don’t focus on food and weight to make you happy. Spend time building a meaningful life that makes you feel good. This involves boosting your self-esteem by finding and using your talents. Don’t worry about being perfect every time. Find some hobbies and do things that are fun for you. Join some clubs and groups with people who share what you like. This helps you make healthy relationships.

Develop Effective Coping Skills - Stressful life events can trigger eating disorders in susceptible people. They also trigger relapses in those who have recovered. Try different relaxation techniques such as meditation , deep breathing, progressive relaxation, yoga , and biofeedback . These will help you cope with stress. These will also make you aware of tension in your body and show you how to release it.

Take Medicines as Advised - Most people with eating disorders will take some form of medicine. These don't offer a cure. But, they are useful in helping your control how you eat. Medicines may ease symptoms of eating disorders by eliminating triggers. They may also treat other mental health problems you may have. Medicines have to be taken as advised, even when you're feeling well. This counts for both natural and pharmaceutical medicine.

 

Please Contact Us if you have questions regarding nutritional support for Anorexia. 

 

The Core Regime is a proven nutritional program that improves health naturally in a holistic manner, many health conditions are alleviated and even resolved completely.  

  

Disclaimer: Regenerative Nutrition advocates a holistic approach to natural health and wellbeing.   The body's ability and power to heal depends upon the totality of diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors.  No claims for the cure of any disease is intended, or implied.  Always consult a health care practitioner when combating disease states.   The statements in this article have not been approved by the FDA.