With the prevalence of anorexia increasing over the years, there has been a plethora of researchers investigating the disorder, both in the psychological and physical reasons for it. Many sufferers are not getting well or dying from the illness from the result of physical problems due to the excess dieting and over exercising.
The psychological problems can be overcome with the My Envisioned Mind so this blog is concentrating on the physical.
As you can see the symptoms are the same, as Patrick Holford states from his research, which comes first: excessive dieting that causes a zinc deficiency could lead to anorexia, or anorexia leading to a zinc deficiency.
Once the route of dieting and skipping meals is established, zinc deficiency is almost inevitable due to poor intake and poor absorption which start the circle of further loss of appetite; and even more depression and stress.
A zinc deficiency has been shown to affect the intestines. They lose the ability to digest proteins and other vital nutrients which again leads to physical and mental problems.
The lack of tryptophan is another problem with people with an eating disorder. Tryptophan is the building block for serotonin, the brain’s “happy” neurotransmitter. So what does tryptophan need? Zinc which is the essential fatty acids and vitamin B6 that is very important for the body produces this neurotransmitter.
So how do you get a person counting calories and limiting food intake to get this nutrition?
Zinc: There is a liquid zinc which has no calories and little taste which can be put into water or other fluids.
The Essential Fatty Acids: These fatty acids are from the fish and krill oils. They have very little calories. The person should be shown this, plus the importance of them for their brain, heart and good cholesterol.
B6: This vitamin is available in a tablet form but searching around you will find it in a liquid form if required.
With someone dieting, the nutritional approach should emphasize the quality of food rather than quantity, including supplements to ensure vitamin and mineral sufficiency. It is recommended that a course of 45mg of elemental zinc per day, plus the recommended Omega 3s and B vitamin/s be taken. Once the ideal weight is achieved the zinc can be halved.