Eating disorders are extremely difficult to live with, but they also have a very serious effect on your body. Eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder can lead to loss of muscle mass while Anorexia can lead to malnutrition and other health problems if left untreated. It is important for those who suffer from these illnesses to understand the risks in order to maintain their own health. In this post, I will discuss what eating disorders can do to your body both physically and mentally.
The physical effects of an eating disorder
The nutrition of someone with an eating disorder can vary depending on the type of eating disorder and their symptoms. Anorexia is a very serious condition in which people struggle to eat, or will have small amounts. The lack of nourishment can lead to health problems like low blood pressure, hair loss, muscle loss, and brittle bones if it goes untreated for too long.
Bulimia nervosa is another form of eating disorder where sufferers engage in bingeing behavior followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative use or over-exercise. Some individuals will restrict their food intake between use of behaviors to avoid weight gain from overeating.
When someone has an eating disorder and experiences malnourishment, their body goes into starvation mode and begins holding onto any food it receives in order to survive. Metabolism can also slow from frequent fasting, altering the processing of food due to the inconsistent nourishment.
Both binge eating disorder and anorexia will have serious physical health consequences. The behaviors can start with a change in eating habits over time, desire to lose weight, and can even be brought on by mental illness such as depression or anxiety.
What nutritional deficiencies do eating disorder patients have?
People suffering from disordered eating like anorexia nervosa will often experience deficiencies in nutrition due to the fact that they’re not eating enough calories. The most common symptoms of anorexia are a lack of menstruation in women, extreme thinness, and low body weight (usually less than 85% ideal weight). This is because when someone limits their diet so much it can lead to hormonal imbalances which can slow down the metabolism.
Anorexia sufferers will generally have lower levels of iron, magnesium, and zinc, since these minerals are found in foods high in carbohydrates like cereal grains or meat, while lower-carbohydrate diets have fewer micronutrients or nutrients from food sources. This can occur with people with bulimia since the nutrients may be lost during purging episodes.
The human brain requires glucose for fuel; if someone does not have enough carbohydrates. blood sugar may drop below optimal levels, which can lead to mood swings, depression or anxiety.
Are there calorie requirements for those with eating disorders?
Part of nutrition therapy or nutrition counseling may be the introduction of more calories for someone with an eating disorder. This can also help the body to heal.
Anorexia is a serious eating disorder that may result in death if not treated properly and timely. The condition mostly affects young girls between 12-25 years old, but it’s possible for anyone of any age or gender identity to experience the struggle. The nutritional needs vary depending on each person’s needs, and I would recommend looking to your providers for guidance if necessary.
How does nutrition affect bulimia?
Bulimia also can have a significant effect on your nutrition. Bulimia is typically characterized by binge eating (eating excessive amounts of food, typically alone) followed by purging (self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or over-exercise, for example) often to influence shape of weight. The continual cycle of binging and purging can have a negative effect on your mental health as well as your nutrition, because you will not be processing the necessary nutrients needed in one day.
Studies have found that people who have bulimia or anorexia are more likely than typical weight peers to experience depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders which could point towards low self-esteem from being overweight or underweight respectively. People with chronic BED also show greater signs of depressive symptoms such as feeling worthless and hopelessness when compared to those without eating disorders.
Why do people with bulimia crave sugar?
Individuals with Bulimia Nervosa often crave sugar because it helps them feel full, satisfied, and in control of their weight. Sucrose is a carbohydrate found in many types of food including fruits, vegetables, milk products and grain products like pasta or cereal, and the recommended amount of sucrose intake per day is 40-50 grams. The concern for the person who binges on these foods is that they are eating too much sugar which can lead to tooth decay, high acidity levels from purging, as well as an increased risk of heart disease due to high blood pressure.
Sucrose can also lead to hypoglycemia which is when blood glucose levels are too low; this condition can be life-threatening in some cases. Hypoglycemia happens as your body moves quickly through its carbohydrate storage; this may lead to feeling shaky, anxious, or irritable if you don’t eat soon enough.
Bulimia sufferers who binge on sugary foods often find that they have an increased appetite for more food afterward. This can make them gain weight and also lead to a cycle of eating high-sugar foods that can contribute to many different health problems.
A diet plan should be established with the help of their doctor, dietitian or therapist in order to balance out caloric intake, vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
What does bulimia do to your electrolytes?
Bulimia can also affect your electrolyte balance. Common electrolytes that are involved in the body’s function include sodium, potassium and calcium levels.
Sodium is needed for nerve conduction, water balance and digestion of food; when a person with bulimia consumes excessive amounts of sugar without balancing it out with adequate fluids, their blood may become too acidic or dilute which can lead to low sodium levels, therefore causing weakness and fatigue.
Potassium plays an important role in muscle contractions as well as regulating fluid balances throughout our bodies; eating disorders such as bulimia can cause lower than normal potassium levels due to vomiting-induced diuresis (increased frequency/volume of urination) along with other factors like diarrhea from laxative abuse. This can lead to nausea, muscle cramps, irritability, and confusion.
Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth; eating disorders like anorexia can lead to weak muscles which cause issues with maintaining calcium levels as well as other vitamin deficiencies that may result in osteopenia (thinning of the bones). Anemia from low iron intake can also contribute to this issue
Does bulimia cause muscle weakness?
Bulimia can also cause medical complications like muscle weakness. Diarrhea from laxative abuse and vomiting-induced diuresis can lead to a lower than normal potassium level. This, coupled with other vitamin deficiencies like calcium deficiency that cause osteopenia (thinning of the bones), can result in muscle weakness.
Can your esophagus heal after bulimia?
Many wonder whether the esophagus can heal after bulimia. The answer is yes, but if the damage has caused a narrowed food passage, it may be difficult for one to swallow.
Difficulty swallowing increases the risk for aspiration of food or liquids, which can lead to pneumonia.
Some people will also experience difficulty swallowing after eating certain foods like nuts due to swollen esophagus tissues (esophagitis). Dysphagia may be caused by inflammation around the valve at the top of your stomach known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
This condition causes irritation when acid from your stomach backs up into your throat. Finally, some individuals with bulimia will suffer from dysphagia because of a lower production of saliva caused by excessive gum chewing.
The Mental Effects of an Eating Disorder
What happens to your brain with anorexia?
Anorexia can lead to an increased risk for other mental health conditions, which has shown to impact the brain. Research shows that when someone is severely underweight with a body mass index (BMI) less than 17kg/m², their risk for developing certain mental disorders increases significantly. These include depression, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse disorders which could be linked to low self-esteem from weight loss; all of these can include cognitive distortions.
In addition, a brain scan of anorexic patients has found decreased grey matter, changes in the circuitry that connects different regions of the brain and also lower activity levels.
Does anorexia make you forgetful?
Anorexia could make you forgetful. A study found that people who are underweight have a more difficult time retrieving words from their memory; this is because they don’t have enough glucose in the brain. A lack of glucose in your brain can make you hungry and forgetful.
Mental fog is common among people with eating disorders because of the physical changes that are happening to their brains. An inability to locate words, difficulty concentrating and lack of motivation are all commonly associated with eating disorders.
Recovery from an eating disorder is possible.
If you are suffering from these or other eating disorder symptoms, it is important to get help. The sooner you find the right treatment, the better. The right team, including a mental health therapist and nutrition counselor, is the best way to get back on track.
Eating disorders can have a profound impact on physical health. The consequences of an eating disorder are not limited to the individual but often affect family members and friends as well. If you or someone you know has been struggling with an eating disorder, it is time for a change! Reach out to me at Spur Counseling today so we can get started helping you recover from your eating disorder. Together we will develop coping skills that help during difficult times when urges arise; work through negative thoughts about food or weight; find healthy ways to deal with stress such as exercise and relaxation techniques; and create a healthier relationship with your body by appreciating all its amazing capabilities.
