Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa involves deliberate, self-induced starvation, usually with the intention of causing weight loss due to the irrational belief that a persons is overweight.

Anorexia nervosa is thought to occur because of a malfunction in a part of the brain named the hypothalamus, where the hunger sensation is generated.

Anorexia nervosa mainly affects young women – 5% to 10% of young women are affected by this condition.

Women with anorexia nervosa have an increased risk of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and osteoporosis.

The following therapies may treat or prevent anorexia:

Zinc:

Rationale:

Well-conducted clinical trials indicate that zinc therapy enhances the rate of recovery in anorexia nervosa patients by increasing weight gain and reducing their levels of anxiety and depression.

In one study, zinc therapy for 8-56 months resulted in weight gain of 15% or more in 85% of anorexia nervosa patients.

Most anorexia nervosa patients are found to be deficient in zinc.

Dosage:

50 mg per day.

Vitamin B1:

Rationale:

Many anorexia nervosa patients are found to be deficient in vitamin B1.

Dosage:

50 - 500 mg per day (using the thiamine hydrochloride form of vitamin B1).

Vitamin K:

Rationale:

Supplementation with vitamin K may reduce the bone loss (which leads to osteoporosis) that affects women with anorexia nervosa.

Dosage:

Up to 10 mg per day.

References

Vitamin B1

· Winston, A. P., et al.  Prevalence of thiamin deficiency in anorexia nervosa.  Int J Eating Dis.  28:451-454, 2000.

Vitamin K

· Iketani, T., et al.  Effect of menatetrenone (vitamin K2) treatment on bone loss in patients with anorexia nervosa.  Psychiatry Research.  117:259–269, 2003.

Zinc

· Su, J. C.  Zinc supplementation in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.  Eat Weight Disord.  7(1):20-22, 2002.

The information presented in this topic is for informational purposes only. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained in this topic. Also neither the publisher nor this website make any warranties or representations with respect to the completeness and accuracy of the information contained within this topic. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Users should consult a health professional about any information presented here to determine its suitability for their condition before applying the information to any particular health circumstance or substitute for a physician's evaluation or treatment.

Copyright (c) 2004 Nutrition-Works. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for any commercial purposes.