Eating DisordersEating disorders are abnormal eating patterns that have harmful effects on overall health. They can impact social, psychological, and physical well-being. Severe forms can be life-threatening. Eating disorders include:
Eating disorders are most commonly identified in teenage girls and young adult women, but can occur in men as well. The goal of treatment is to restore physical health, and develop healthy nutrition and exercise habits. The program needs to be tailored to individual needs. It often requires a combination of treatments such as nutritional counseling, mental health counseling, and medications. Natural TherapiesWhen used with standard treatment, some natural therapies may help with recovery. Others may help manage complications. Possibly Effective
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With CautionTalk to your doctor about all herbs or supplements you are taking. Some may interact with your treatment plan or health conditions. Zinc is safe if used as directed. High doses are toxic and may cause copper deficiency, impaired immunity, anemia, or other serious problems. Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process. References►Yoga A1. Carei TR, Fyfe-Johnson AL, Breuner CC, Brown MA. Randomized controlled clinical trial of yoga in the treatment of eating disorders. J Adolesc Health. 2010;26(4):346-351. A2. Hall A, Ofei-Tenkorang NA, Machan JT, Gordon CM. Use of yoga in outpatient eating disorder treatment: a pilot study. J Eat Disord. 2016;4:38. Zinc B1. Castillo-Duran C, Heresi G, Fisberg M, Uauy R. Controlled trial of zinc supplementation during recovery from malnutrition: effects on growth and immune function. Am J Clin Nutr. 1987;45(3):602-608. B2. McClain CJ, Stuart MA, Vivian B, et al. Zinc status before and after zinc supplementation of eating disorder patients. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992;11(6):694-700. B3. Birmingham CL, Goldner EM, Bakan R. Controlled trial of zinc supplementation in anorexia nervosa. 1994;15(3):251-255. B4. Su JC, Birmingham CL. Zinc supplementation in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord. 2002;7(1):20-22. DHEA C1. Gordon CM, Grace E, Emans SJ, et al. Effects of oral dehydroepiandrosterone on bone density in young women with anorexia nervosa: a randomized trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(11):4935-4941. C2. Divasta D, Feldman HA, Giancaterino C, Rosen CJ, Leboff MS, Gordon CM. The effect of gonadal and adrenal steroid therapy on skeletal health in adolescents and young women with anorexia nervosa. Metabolism. 2012;61(7):1010-1020. Last reviewed February 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board
Richard Glickman-Simon, MD Last Updated: 2/22/2019 | |
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