ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Often described as an eating disorder mostly amongst young women, where there is an obsessive fear of being fat or overweight. Symptoms are legion. They can range from weight loss, nutritional deficiencies to deep depression and amenorrhea (absence or suppression of menstruation).

More recent research suggests that a major zinc deficiency triggers this condition causing the loss of taste and smell. Increasing zinc levels to nutritional adequacy reverses this loss and enables the sufferer to return to eating properly.

It appears that zinc deficiency is most susceptible amongst western women aged 12-25. Statistics show at least 25% of this age group to be deficient (eg Lancet: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver).

LIFESTYLE ATTENTION

• Correct eating and attention to wholefoods as a major portion of diet needs to be trained into children right from the start of their childhood.
• As they grow older, fruit, vegetables and salads must be kept in focus and not allowed to be withdrawn because of "Faddishness" of the child, at any particular point.
• Fresh food, from organically grown (or home grown) sources together with meat, eggs and dairy products from free range sources is the way to go. These sources deliver more vitamins, proteins and mineral and less chemical poisons than other sources.
• Making the family sit down to meals as a habit throughout childhood is well worthwhile in preventing future eating disorders developing.
• Keep off junk foods, fries, tinned and frozen foods as much as possible in favour of raw foods.
• Reduce stress levels if they get too high within the family. Anorexic behaviour is most likely to be at puberty, university entrance, or early marriage - all potentially stressful events.
• Oral contraceptives enhance bodily zinc loss. Ensure that zinc rich foods (see below) are increased in daily diet without drawing attention to this event.
• Dieting to lose weight often precedes onset of zinc deficiency in young females.
• Avoid alcohol. It also reduces zinc absorption, so too do street drugs and heavy smoking.

HOMOEOPATHIC

• Seek the help of a qualified Homoeopath who has a reputation for treating this condition.
• Nux Vomica - nervousness
• Bach Flower Remedies
• Crabtree, Holly, Pine, Willow - Mix together and use as directed daily

TISSUE SALTS

• Combin Q - loss of taste for food

HERBALS

• Red Clover
• Chapparal

AROMATHERAPY
Receiving a regular massage from a qualified professional, followed up by similar treatment from friends/or family help to relax and unwind This is important to help supplement and other treatments described above to really work in the body.

SPECIAL FOODS

• Brown rice
• Sprouted seeds (see separate module)
• Apple cider vinegar and honey bedtime drink (very important)
• Cranberry/Loganberry juice
• Zinc rich foods are: Brazil nuts, all other nuts, sunflower seeds, olives, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, brewers yeast, millet, garlic, onions, asparagus, lettuce, brussel sprouts, avocado, pears, banana

SPECIAL EXERCISE
Daily walking, swimming or cycling is best Do not overstrain as this could stress the body's tissues and cause long-term damage

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Counselling
• Support Groups
• Acupuncture/Pressure
• Chinese Medicine aimed at strengthening digestive system, spleen and nutrient absorption
• Probiotic Bacterial Treatment (essential)