-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
mental/emotional
anorexia nervosa
Nutrition
dietary guidelines
therapeutic foods:
increase foods that calm the Shen (Spirit), tonify the Heart, harmonize the Stomach and Spleen
bell pepper, cilantro, mustard greens, green onion, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin, yam, beans, corn, barley, rice, persimmons, potatoes (Ni, 102.)
specific remedies:
tea from green onions, garlic, cinnamon or ginger (Ni, 102.)
soup from pumpkin, yam, beans, potatoes, corn, barley or vegetables (Ni, 102.)
soupy rice (Ni, 102.)
supplements
Multi-vitamin/-mineral complex can help assure well-rounded nutrient intake and prevent deficiencies; a supplement made from whole food concentrates may be more easily absorbed.
Vitamin B-complex
Zinc 15 mg per day initially, gradually increased to 50 mg three times daily, with meals; may enhance appeetite and improve mood. Some researchers claim a positive effect on body image, specifically improved accuracy of self-perception. There is evidence that some people with anorexia nervosa may have a zinc deficiency which may cause abnormalities in taste sensation which may lead to this eating disorder. Studies show there may be a subset population that is particularly sensitive to a deficiency. Alexander Schauss is one of the strong proponents of this theory.
(Schauss AG. 1980; Safai-Kutti S. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1990;361:14-17; Birmingham CL, et al. Int J Eat Disord. 1994 Apr;15(3):251-255.)
Essential Fatty Acids
Protein supplements, 1-3 servings daily, can help assure adequate source of amino acids and prevent protein wasting. Low-carbohydrate forms may be more effective in acheiving compliance by individuals concerned with caloric intake.
footnotes
Bakan R. The role of zinc in anorexia nervosa: etiology and treatment. Med Hypotheses. 1979 Jul;5(7):731-736.
Abstract: Zinc deficiency may play a role in the etiology of anorexia nervosa. The symptoms of anorexia nervosa and zinc deficiency are similar in a number of respects, e.g., weight loss, loss of appetite, amenorrhea in females, impotence in males, nausea and skin lesions. In both conditions females under 25 are most at risk. Stress, estrogen and dietary habits may also be involved in the complex of factors which create or exacerbate a zinc deficiency and result in anorexia nervosa. It is proposed that effectiveness in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
Birmingham CL, Goldner EM, Bakan R. Controlled trial of zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 1994 Apr;15(3):251-255.
Abstract: Zinc supplementation of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients has been reported to increase the weight gain of AN patients in open trials. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 100 mg of zinc gluconate, or placebo, was given daily to 35 female AN inpatients until they achieved a 10% increase in body mass index (BMI). The rate of increase in BMI of the zinc supplemented group (n = 16) was twice that of the placebo group (n = 19), and this difference was statistically significant (p = .03). The use of zinc supplementation should be considered in the treatment of AN patients.
Bryce-Smith D, Simpson RI. Case of anorexia nervosa responding to zinc sulphate. Lancet. 1984 Aug 11;2(8398):350.
Candela i Agusti MM. [Anorexia nervosa and zinc]. Rev Enferm. 1985 Jul-Aug;8(84-85):18-19. [Article in Spanish]
Katz RL, Keen CL, Litt IF, Hurley LS, Kellams-Harrison KM, Glader LJ. Zinc deficiency in anorexia nervosa. J Adolesc Health Care. 1987 Sep;8(5):400-406.
Lask B, Fosson A, Rolfe U, Thomas S. Zinc deficiency and childhood-onset anorexia nervosa. J Clin Psychiatry. 1993 Feb;54(2):63-66.
Roijen SB, Worsaae U, Zlotnik G. [Zinc in patients with anorexia nervosa]. Ugeskr Laeger. 1991 Mar 4;153(10):721-723. [Article in Danish]
Safai-Kutti S. Oral zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1990;361:14-17.
Abstract: There is evidence to suggest that zinc (Zn) deficiency may be involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN). In an open study of 20 females, aged 14-26 years, afflicted with AN the effect of oral zinc supplementation was investigated. In each case the diagnosis of AN was based on the criteria of DSM-III-R. After a careful history, complete physical examination and laboratory screening the subjects were started on 45-90 mg of Zn2+, as zinc sulfate, (Solvezink R, Tika, Sweden) per day. During a follow-up period of 8-56 months 17 patients increased their body weight by more than 15%. The maximum gradual weight gain of 57% was encountered in one patient after 24 months of zinc therapy. The most rapid weight gain was recorded in a patient who increased her body weight by 24% over a period of 3 months. After the institution of zinc, weight loss was not registered in any of our patients. In 13 subjects the menstruation returned 1-17 months after the initiation of zinc therapy. None of our patients developed bulimia. The design of an ongoing multicenter placebo-controlled clinical trial of zinc supplementation to patients with AN is described.
Safai-Kutti S, Kutti J. Zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa. Am J Clin Nutr. 1986 Oct;44(4):581-582.
Safai-Kutti S, Kutti J. Zinc therapy in anorexia nervosa. Am J Psychiatry. 1986 Aug;143(8):1059.
Schauss AG. Diet, Crime, and Delinquency. Berkeley: Parker House, 1980.
Yamaguchi H, Arita Y, Hara Y, Kimura T, Nawata H. Anorexia nervosa responding to zinc supplementation: a case report. Gastroenterol Jpn. 1992 Aug;27(4):554-558.