Nutritional Consequences of Eating Disorders
- Reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR) in response to decreased caloric intake, the body tries to conserve energy by reducing caloric expenditure, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and other calorie requiring functions. BMR can be reduced by as much as 50%, causing the person to gain weight while consuming fewer calories than would be expected to cause weight gain.
- Zinc deficiency impairs ability to smell and taste foods, which can lead to a decrease in appetite.
- Impaired cholecystokinin (CCK) production. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone that stimulates feelings of satiety in response to eating. In anorexia nervosa, CCK production is abnormally high, causing the sensation of fullness after eating small amounts of food. In bulimia nervosa, CCK production is abnormally low, causing the person to not feel full after eating large amounts of food.
- Low blood sugar in response to eating large quantities of food (binging) our bodies produce lots of insulin to help regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. Vomiting rids the body of the food and thus, the amount of glucose entering the blood stream. Blood glucose levels plummet because there is more insulin in the body than is needed for the amount of food being digested. This stimulates hunger and sets the person up for another binge/purge.Also caused by a lack of food consumption. Symptoms include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, dizziness, light-headedness, sleepiness, confusion and feeling anxious or weak.
- Protein deficiency from an overall low caloric intake and also the avoidance of animal proteins. A high percentage of people with eating disorders are vegetarian. When food is limited, the body uses protein as a source of energy rather than for other protein purposes. Symptoms include muscle wasting, dull and thin hair, impaired wound healing, insufficient production of digestive enzymes, decreased mineral absorption, and discomfort after eating... to name few.
- Calcium deficiency from low intake of calcium and vitamin D and high intake of fiber and caffeine. Symptoms include softening and weakening of bones, osteoporosis, stress fractures, muscle aches and pain, muscle cramps, early periodontal disease and brittle nails.
- Iron deficiency from low intake of iron-rich foods, including red meat. If menstruation stops, iron needs decrease and it will take longer for deficiency to present itself. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia.
- B-vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B12, leading to lack of energy and other psychological symptoms, including depression.
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