Overcoming Nutritional Deficiencies With Long Term Recovery

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

The abnormal behaviors associated with an eating disorder, such as restricting caloric intake, binging, purging, excessive exercise, use of diuretics or laxatives, chewing and spitting, etc. result in grave physical consequences on the body.

A chaotic relationship with food leads to a disruption of the adequate nutrition intake that is acquired through normal eating patterns. Many people incorrectly assume that malnutrition is related to body weight; however, there is not a direct correlation.

Individuals who are underweight, overweight, or anywhere in between can suffer from malnutrition as a result of an eating disorder.

Establishing Recovery for Healing

A body that is not adequately or properly nourished due to abnormal eating behaviors is at risk for far greater medical complications. Malnourishment can also exacerbate eating disorder symptoms. For example, a person with an eating disorder may actually inflict damage to the brain due to inadequate nutrition, which could lead to body dysmorphia and/or an imbalance of neurochemicals needed for effectively balancing mood.

Anxiety around food or eating can be increased as a result, making it even more difficult for a person to eat adequately.

The most effective form of treatment for addressing malnutrition is through comprehensive care for an eating disorder. The body will not have the opportunity to heal, recover, and restore nutritional deficiencies without ceasing from engaging in eating disorder behavior.

Nutritional restoration is a gradual process that occurs as a person consistently consumes adequate food and normalizes eating behaviors. In severe cases, complete nutritional restoration is not fully reversed until several years of normalized eating patterns.

Working with a Professional Treatment Team

A professional and specialized treatment team should always address nutritional deficiencies and resulting medical complications. Eating disorders are complex brain-based illnesses and require a comprehensive approach towards recovery and healing.

If you are concerned about nutritional deficiencies that may have resulted from an eating disorder, be sure to reach out to an eating disorder specialist, such as a physician, therapist, or dietitian, who can help you adequately address your concerns. Following a prescribed meal plan and learning to normalize eating behaviors can all be helpful towards healing.

Community Discussion- Share your thoughts here!

How has recovery helped address nutritional concerns resulting from an eating disorder?

About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on August 14, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com