Anorexia nervosa, more popularly known as anorexia, is a psychological disorder characterized by extremely low weight. It is an eating disorder, wherein the patient voluntarily starves him/herself. Let us see how to treat this disorder with some diet tips.
Sandriana was an aspiring model. Size zero was her obsession. Earlier, she maintained an average healthy diet, along with regular and proper exercise. At this point of time, she had a good figure, right curves, and great complexion. Nonetheless, her ‘size one’ was her problem. Like I said, it was the zero that her eyes looked for, every time she looked in the mirror. Soon, her fitness regime got more and more stringent. She started counting calories and working out every time she ate. Then this obsession turned into a compulsion. Sandriana lost a lot of weight, but somehow, it just wasn’t enough. That was when her mother smelt a rat and contacted a psychologist. After the tests, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
The psychologist said that the reason for her initial obsession turning into a compulsion was that in spite of losing weight, whenever she looked at the mirror, she saw herself fatter and fatter. This is characteristic of anorexia nervosa: it distorts the personal image of the person. Soon, with much difficulty, Sandriana’s treatment began. Being an eating disorder, her diet needed to be worked on.
Many women like Sandriana get sucked into the rut of appearance and fall prey to disorders like anorexia nervosa. Given below are some diet tips and advice for anorexics.
Consult a Nutritionist
In order to make sure that you are eating the right food, it is imperative to consult a nutritionist. This way, you can ensure fast results with a maximum impact.
Normalize Blood Sugar Level
It is absolutely important for the patient to have a normal blood sugar level. For that, he/she needs a minimum intake of 200 micrograms of chromium twice daily for six weeks. Post six weeks, the dosage can be reduced to half, by taking 200 mg once a day.
Relieve Nervous Stress
Due to the lack of nutrition, anorexics put undue amounts of stress on their nervous systems. This stress needs to be reduced and brought under control. Moreover, the functioning of the bowels need to be normalized. To meet both these ends, magnesium plays a vital role. A daily dose of 500 to 1,000 milligrams of magnesium, preferably in the form of magnesium glycinate, is what is needed.
Promote Proper Digestion
The process of digestion takes a major blow, due to the diet irregularity. This needs to be corrected as well. For this, the patient needs to take foods that are high in fiber content. So, a lot of fruits and wheat-based foods have to be included in the diet.
Take Vitamin B & E
Vitamin B is needed for hormonal regulation and for the proper functioning of the nervous system. A B-complex supplement (with 25 milligrams each of all the major B vitamins), taken every day, would work effectively to that end. Vitamin E also helps hormonal regulation. Start with 200 international units per day. You can gradually increase the dosage up to 400 international units twice daily.
Use Zinc Supplements
Most anorexics end up facing severe zinc deficiency. The patient needs to be given a minimum of 25 mg zinc, twice a day. Zinc can also be derived from foods like cooked dried beans, sea vegetables, fortified cereals, soy foods, nuts, and seeds.
Anorexia nervosa can be detrimental, if not controlled and cured on time. Do not blame the patient; peer pressure can cause anyone fall prey to it. Support from the family, boosting self-confidence, and the right diet, are the keys to cure this disorder. This is where I sign off! Eat well and take care!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
