Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by episodes of uncontrolled binge eating, often involving extremely large amounts of high-calorie foods, followed by one or more of the following:

• Induced vomiting
• Use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
• obsessive exercising to 'purge' the body of the food eaten during the binge.

Usually the person doing the binge eating feels out of control - unable to stop eating until they are completely full - then feels so immediately overwhelmed and shamed by the sense of fullness that they need to get rid of the food consumed. The binge eating and purging are usually carried out in secret, which is an indication of a serious medical and psychological problem with potentially dangerous complications.

 

Signs of Bulimia

1. Binge eating of generally high-calorie foods, usually in secrecy
2. Loss of control over eating, with feelings of guilt and shame
3. Fluctuating body weight
4. Blood-tinged vomit
5. Irregular menstruation or cessation of periods
6. Eroded tooth enamel
7. Bad breath
8. Throat irritation and inflammation
9. Calluses on hands from forcing the body to vomit
10. Depression
11. Loss of muscle and bone mass
12. Low blood pressure
13. Cold hands and feet

 Symptoms of Bulimia

1. Anaemia
2. Depletion of fluid balance
3. Electrolyte imbalances
4. Erratic heartbeat
5. Dehydration
6. Hypoglycaemia
7. Infertility
8. Kidney or liver damage
9. Ruptured stomach or oesophagus
10. Weakened immune system
11. Increased risk of osteoporosis

 What Causes Bulimia?

There are several different theories about what is involved in the development of bulimia. Many believe that bulimia may result from one or a combination of psychological, biological and societal factors. Some studies of families and twins suggest that bulimia may be hereditary. Psychologically, food offers us pleasure, comfort and solace from the moment we are born. Episodes of binging are commonly stress-related, and they may be an attempt to manage emotions by focusing attention away from unpleasant or uncomfortable emotional problems.

Many women usually start their first binge because of real or imagined male rejection. In particular, if a woman's basic emotional needs were not met in childhood she may come to believe that her problems would resolve if only she were more attractive. This obsession can lead to bulimia.

There are also indications of possible physiological elements in this disorder. For example, people with eating disorders tend to have a type of chemical imbalance similar to one found in people with clinical depression. Both have high levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that inhibits T-cell function and thereby depresses immunity.

People who suffer from bulimia may also have low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can lead to depression as well as cravings for simple carbohydrates which are common binge foods. Some researchers have found bulimia to be associated with right temporal disturbance in the brain.

 

Nutrients

• Nutrition therapy is as important as psychotherapy in treating bulimia. The goals of nutrition therapy are to stabilise your blood sugar levels, to make sure you are getting enough nutrients, and to restore gastrointestinal health.
• Multivitamins and minerals: The bulimic syndrome results in severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Extremely high doses are needed because nutrients pass rapidly through the gastrointestinal system and are poorly assimilated. Do not use a timed release formula. The B complex within the formula is essential for all cellular functions.
• Aged Garlic: Increases serotonin, and therefore alleviates depression. It is also a natural probiotic, so it increases beneficial microflora. It has strong immune stimulating effects and has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
• Acidophilus: Stabilises intestinal bacteria and boosts the immune system from gut level.
• Zinc with Copper: Necessary in protein metabolism, as it aids the sense of taste and increases the appetite. It may help ease depression and anxiety, and facilitate weight gain. Zinc and copper deficiencies are common in people with bulimia.
• Calcium and Magnesium: Calcium has a calming effect and replaces lost calcium stores. Magnesium relaxes muscles and has a bronchodilating effect.
• Coenzyme A: Can streamline metabolism, ease depression and fatigue, and increase energy. Supports adrenal glands, processes fats and removes toxins from the body. Can also boost the immune system and improve overall physical and mental processes.
• Coenzyme Q10: Protects the heart muscle and aids circulation.
• Essential Fatty Acids: Help to maintain eye and brain function and ease depression by increasing serotonin levels.
• 5-HTP: Improves low levels of serotonin commonly associated with bulimia.
• Amino Acid Complex: Counteracts protein deficiency, a serious problem in bulimia. Free-form amino acids are more readily available for use by the body than other protein forms.
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: Promotes healthy tissues and collagen growth. Necessary for all cellular and glandular functions.
• Amino Acid Chelated Iron: If anaemia is diagnosed, iron will help to restore serum iron levels and increase appetite.
• Digestive Enzymes: Important for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Vitamin D3: Aids calcium uptake and prevent loss of bone mass, which can lead to tooth loss.
• Vitamin E: Necessary for tissue repair. Also a powerful antioxidant.

 Herbs

• Burdock root, milk thistle and red clover are good for cleansing the bloodstream and protecting the liver.
• Ginger aids digestion.
• A combination of high potency royal jelly and angelica tea, taken once daily, has shown good results. The royal jelly contains all the B vitamins, essential amino acids and important minerals; it therefore helps address any nutrient deficiencies in the diet of bulimia sufferers. The angelica tea helps to boost the circulation and is a carminative.
• St John's Wort is a good antidepressant and helps to reduce cravings.

 Recommendations

1. While healthier eating behaviours are being established, a well-balanced, high-fibre diet is essential. Eat as many vegetable protein and complex carbohydrates as possible.

2. Avoid consuming sugar in any form. Also avoid junk foods, heavy starches and white flour products. Be aware that you may experience withdrawal symptoms - such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, insomnia, and irritability - for a time after you eliminate sugar from your diet.

3. Instead of the standard three meals a day, eat smaller, more frequent portions. It may help to control both feelings of fullness and hunger pains. Above all, don't go hungry. This only adds to cravings for food. Breakfast is especially important.

4. Keep a variety of healthy snacks around you - at work, school, or home - and make them readily available for when you get a hunger pang.

5. Chew your food slowly and well. Stop eating as soon as you feel uncomfortable, or as if you might have to purge.

6. Taking foods that increase serotonin levels can be helpful if you have low serotonin levels associated with bulimia.

7. Practise control with other things you do in excess, whether it is alcohol consumption, exercising, shopping, or anything else. The key to higher self-esteem is to be in control of your life, not for something else to be in control of you.

8. Develop and maintain relationships with positive people who make you feel good about yourself and who you admire. Anyone bad for your mental health is a waste of your time and feelings.

9. Practising stress management can greatly assist anyone fighting bulimia. Regular, moderate exercise, deep breathing, meditation, visualisation and yoga are all excellent ways to relieve stress. They are also good for easing depression.

10. It is wrong to categorise bulimia as 'just a food addiction', as its roots are tied to many other factors that vary from case to case, including low self-esteem, psychological, biological and societal factors.

11. The most successful treatment plans for bulimia include a psychologist (who can help asses the psychological implications of the person's disorder) and a physician (to evaluate and monitor their physical state). Long-term treatment may be needed to improve self-esteem and ensure that the person is mentally and physically able to recover.

 

Since bulimia is usually a long-term disease, the person's weight, exercise habits, physical strength and mental health need to be checked periodically by a healthcare provider.

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© Samar Tarabay, Quest Nutritionist

For further information on the Quest range of products or for other

nutritional information contact the Quest nutritionists on 0121 359 0056

or e: nutrition@questvitamins.co.uk

 

MarApr07