Studies show that one percent of all teenage girls and women in their 20s will develop anorexia nervosa, and that 10 to 15% of those girls will die from complications of this condition. Some men also develop this condition, usually teenagers.
Anorexia nervosa can be treated, and about three-quarters of all anorexia patients will find their conditions improve with long-term treatment, although only about 40% of patients make a full recovery. With proper psychological counseling and a healthy diet, patients can regain their weight and lead a healthy life. Like alcoholism and drug addiction, anorexia nervosa is a condition that will stay with patients for life, but they can learn to control it.
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes sufferers believe they are overweight, no matter how thin they are. Due to their perceived body image, they do a number of things to control their weight, including crash dieting and exercise, to the point that they are often very underweight. In fact, most patients with anorexia nervosa are at least 15% underweight.
There are several symptoms of anorexia nervosa, including excessive dieting and exercise, heavy use of laxatives, and bingeing and purging (also known as bulimia), and if left untreated, these symptoms can often lead to a number of serious health conditions and eventually death. Many patients with anorexia nervosa can be treated on an outpatient basis, but there are also many patients who need hospital care because their condition has reached the point where they need to be hospitalized.
facts about anorexia nervosa
If you notice that a friend or family member seems to be losing an excessive amount of weight, exercises too often, and doesn’t seem to be eating much, there may be cause for concern, as these are all signs that this person may be anorexic and you need to look for treatment. Here are some more facts about anorexia nervosa:
– Low blood pressure and an abnormal heart rate are symptoms of anorexia nervosa, and some patients have been known to develop heart conditions and even heart attacks.
– Anorexics tend to have more cavities and their tooth enamel erodes. This is especially visible in bulimics due to the stomach acid that is produced during regurgitation.
– Anorexia nervosa patients often experience kidney disorders and even kidney failure.
– Anorexia nervosa can result in osteoarthritis and other health conditions.
– Anorexic women may have irregular periods or even no periods at all.
Protein supplements as part of an anorexia nervosa treatment plan
One of the ways a patient can get back on the right path to good health is through a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes plenty of protein. At the beginning of a patient’s treatment, one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome will be getting him or her to eat. This is where liquid protein supplements can come into play and are often recommended by doctors. Yes, the patient still has to deal with the idea of putting calories into her body, but he is drinking those calories. It may seem the same, but the act of drinking instead of eating has a psychological effect.
Protein supplements come in various forms and can be purchased as ready-to-drink beverages or added to homemade shakes, smoothies, and slushies. These are tasty beverages that patients can use to help gain weight, build and repair muscle, and improve their condition, thereby improving their overall health. There are also protein bars and snacks, as well as protein capsules.
Liquid protein supplements for high protein/calorie/carbohydrate/fat diets
Protein supplements are often used in the treatment of many diseases and other health problems, and when patients have difficulty eating solid foods or, like anorexics, do not want to eat solid foods, liquid protein supplements are a substitute. perfect of meals.
There are a number of ready-to-use liquid protein supplement drinks available on the market today, and you can find them in health food stores, along with many drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets. These supplements come in a variety of delicious flavors, including chocolate and vanilla, and provide the protein patients need as well as a host of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Many liquid supplements are made from whey, which is a derivative of milk and comes from the cheese-making process. Whey protein is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight essential and 14 non-essential amino acids. People who are allergic to dairy products or who are lactose intolerant should read the ingredients carefully to avoid liquid protein supplements made with whey. Other options that you can use are soy, another complete protein, and rice, which is also hypoallergenic. Both soy and rice proteins are also great options for vegetarians.
Using protein powder supplements to gain weight
Protein powder supplements are another great option for weight gain diets. If the patient is going to eat some solid foods, unflavored protein powders can be added to various recipes to add protein and other nutrients. Or if the patient isn’t ready to switch to solid foods, there are plenty of delicious shakes, smoothies, and slushies that can be made at home that incorporate protein powders and other delicious ingredients like berries, yogurt, milk, and fruit juice They are packed with protein and loaded with vitamins and minerals.
Protein capsules for severe cases
There are many cases where patients have extreme difficulty in overcoming the effects of anorexia nervosa, especially the psychological ones. These patients, no matter how sick they are, still refuse to eat. Before drastic measures have to be taken and patients are given intravenous treatment, there is one more option when it comes to protein supplements. The protein capsules have no fat or calories that the patient should be concerned about, and can be taken with water, which is also fat, calorie and carbohydrate free. This way, even if they don’t get food, at least they get protein.
