Anorexia Nervosa: Nutritional Considerations

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric illness caused in part by distorted thoughts and beliefs. Anorexia nervosa may be a response to emotional distress or an attempt to find a greater sense of control in one’s life. A person struggling with anorexia nervosa may have a distorted body image and think they’re fat even when they’re not. They may have an intense fear of becoming fat. Even though anorexia nervosa is considered a psychiatric illness, it has many physical consequences.

Consider energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate

A person with anorexia may believe that physical activity uses most of one’s energy. At the same time, about two-thirds of a person’s daily energy expenditure is simply used to maintain basic bodily functions. Basal metabolic rate refers to the amount of energy (calories) one needs to maintain basic bodily functions while at rest. In other words, basal metabolic rate is concerned with the amount of energy one needs to simply stay alive. The functioning and maintenance of the systems of one’s body requires energy and nutrients. One’s brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs require sound nutrition to operate optimally. A person’s starved body will take protein from muscle tissue and calcium from bones in an attempt to maintain homeostasis within the body. Hormones will also not be at optimal levels in a starved body. For instance, a male with anorexia may have a low testosterone level. In short, one’s body requires energy (calories) for much more than physical activity.

Consider the possible physical consequences of anorexia nervosa

Low energy feeling cold even during warm weather osteoporosis dental problems muscle wasting digestive system may become sluggish from inactivity shrinking of brain mass electrolyte imbalances hormone imbalances dangerously low blood pressure dangerously slow heart rate cardiac arrest death

Consider intuitive eating

Be sure to read this particular blog post rather carefully, the case and the answers have alot of variants. Many individuals struggling with anorexia are afraid they’ll begin eating and not know when to stop. Some researchers believe that the human body knows how to regulate hunger and satiety when thoughts, emotions, and other factors don’t get in the way. A person who can eat intuitively will naturally eat until he’s full and then stop. Studies have been done with monkeys demonstrating that underfed or overfed monkey will always return to his baseline calorie requirements when allowed to eat the amount of food he desires. The monkey eats until he’s full and then stops. His body knows how much energy it requires. Researchers believe that the human body also knows how much energy it requires. Trusting one’s body and learning to eat intuitively can be scary at first, but it can be done.

Consider the Minnesota Starvation Study

If possible examine this thoroughly, the issue and the plans have a bunch of distinctions. An experiment was conducted by Ancel Keys with male test subjects during World War two to study the effects of starvation. The researchers were concerned about the starvation of people in war-torn Europe. They were interested in the effects of starvation on the human body and how to refeed starved people safely. Even though this study wasn’t examining anorexia nervosa, its findings shed some light on the effects of starvation. During the semi-starvation phase, the subjects lost about 25% of their body weight. Their metabolism dropped. Their heart’s work capacity lessened and their pulses slowed. Some subjects experienced thinning hair, ringing in the ears, insomnia, and dizziness. They complained of feeling cold. The subjects experienced a wide range of psychological and behavioral changes as well including a preoccupation with food, a loss of ambition, loss of concentration, and a desire to be isolated from the group. After the study was concluded, it took several months for the some of the subjects to return to normal eating and social patterns.

Consider the starvation response

Some researchers believe that the body’s response to starvation is a slowing of metabolism. This has also been termed the “famine response.” One’s body adapts to starvation by going into famine mode and then begins to conserve energy. The body isn’t sure when it’ll be fed again. Therefore, metabolism slows down and the body tries to make the most of whatever food it’s given. The body will try to maintain its resources. As I mentioned earlier, the body will take protein from muscle tissue and calcium from bone mass to keep important body functions operating.

Consider eating a wide variety of foods from the food pyramid

Please read through this informative article thoroughly, the situation and the options have multiple varieties. This is probably a recommendation you have heard before, but it’s worth repeating. Different foods supply the body with different nutrients. Eating a wide variety of foods helps one to meet all of her nutritional requirements. Educate yourself about portion sizes and the different nutrients that each food group provides. The food pyramid is a good guide and will ensure you eat a variety of nutritious foods. Some individuals recovering from anorexia believe that there is no such thing as a bad food. This may be a valid concept to keep in mind. A dessert now and then can be enjoyable and won’t harm you. And, concerns about cholesterol from bacon and eggs pale in comparison to the dangers of severe malnutrition associated with anorexia nervosa. Remember that moderation is the key. Eat a variety of foods and that meet your energy requirements and you’re likely to maintain a healthy body.

Although anorexia nervosa is often rooted in painful emotions and distorted thinking, it’ll often lead to dangerous physical consequences if not treated with nutritional therapy as well as psychiatric therapy. Please keep the physical consequences of this dangerous illness and the role of proper nutrition in mind when trying to recover from anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves an inability to stay at the minimum body weight considered healthy for the person’s age and height.