Anorexia Nervosa Treatment Diet: Follow a bland diet and avoid coffee, tea, and other stimulants. A well-balanced diet, high in fiber, should be followed when a regular eating pattern is being established. Avoid sugar and white flour products. Flower Essences: Various flower essences to address underlying emotional and mental states of imbalance and negativity, such as fears, perfectionism, manipulative behavior, depression, and anxiety, are recommended. Crab Apple, in particular, is useful for eradicating obsessive habits relating to body image. Herbs: Cardamom, fennel, and/or fresh ginger can help regulate digestion and stop vomiting. For a calming effect, the herbs valerian, nutmeg, ashwagandha, and sandalwood are very effective. To stimulate appetite, take ginger root, ginseng, gotu kola, peppermint. Gentian root helps stimulate the appetite and has been useful in helping anorexics regain their appetite. Nutritional Supplementation: Zinc deficiency can be a major contributing factor in anorexia. As a result, zinc supplementation has proven successful in overcoming dietary deficiencies and in helping anorexics regain their appetite and weight. According to eating disorder specialists, the inability to taste a tablespoon of zinc in the form of zinc sulfate heptahydrate (a liquid zinc supplement) in the mouth may be indicative of inadequate zinc status. If that is the case, it is recommended that patients take 100-120 ml per day of zinc sulfate heptahydrate until symptoms improve, which may take two weeks. Vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin E levels in the blood are often low in anorexia nervosa. Close Browser/Window To Return To The Main Menu |