Anorexia Nervosa

Description

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by decreased caloric intake, low body weight, and reduced body fat.  Anorexia Nervosa is diagnosed by weight loss with refusal to maintain body weight, intense fear of gaining weight or becoming overweight, self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape and weight.  Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-inflicted starvation.

Anorexia Nervosa is caused by malfunction of the lateral Hypothalamus.

Prevalence  ^[1]

 Anorexia Nervosa primarily afflicts young females – it affects 5% to 10% of women.

These Substances may Alleviate Anorexia Nervosa

Amino Acids

 Tryptophan supplementation may be helpful for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (most Anorexia Nervosa patients are found to be deficient in Tryptophan).  ^[2]

Minerals

  Anorexia Nervosa may occur as a result of Iron deficiency.  

 Lithium may be useful for the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa.  ^[3]