Complete Recovery From Bulimia Without Drugs: Serotonin From Foods?
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Disease & Illness
Jun 15, 2007
Complete Recovery From Bulimia Without Drugs: Serotonin From Foods?
In a pioneering study conducted by MIT researchers way back in the seventies, it was established for the first time that the carbohydrate and protein contents of a meal, as well certain individual nutrients in the meal, could strongly influence the levels of certain mood/behavior-altering chemicals in the brain, particularly, neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells. As a corollary, therefore, it follows that specific foods and nutrients could be used therapeutically to treat problems associated with imbalances in these brain chemicals. One such traumatizing and difficult-to-fight problem, especially among young women. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of food binging and purging. Results of studies on bulimic patients suggest that the root cause of craving and binging on carbohydrate-rich foods (sugars and starches) is a low serotonin level in the brain (serotonin is associated with feelings of being relaxed, calm, cheerful, and less sensitive to pain). Therefore, the main goal in treating bulimia without drugs and doctors is to identify the right kind of foods and nutrients that can help maintain an optimum level of serotonin, which in turn will help elevate mood, reduce food cravings, and improve self-image. Although neurotransmitters are synthesized endogenously inside the body, certain foods can provide nutrients that act like chemical precursors, or parents, for neurotransmitters. For example, tryptophan, an amino acid that is a part of protein foods found in meat, eggs, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, oats, sprouts, bananas, dried dates, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, spirulina, chickpeas. Even though tryptophan is a component of protein, it is the intake of carbohydrate foods that actually brings about increased tryptophan levels in the blood and brain. This happens because of some biochemical reasons. Other nutrients that can play a vital role in the recovery of a bulimic are zinc, vitamin B complex and calcium. A serotonin-friendly diet that is tailor-made to fight bulimia must, therefore, include in plenty foods like complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and protein preferably from vegetarian sources. For example, a healthy breakfast could include a combination of fruits and cereals, lunch could comprise vegetables and starch (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes), and dinner should include protein with vegetables. Fruits/vegetables in combination with a skimmed-milk yogurt dressing are ideal for in-between-meals snacking. There are many ex-bulimics that have intelligently and successfully fought the battle with bulimia in a completely natural and safe recovery way without drugs and doctors. One of the most successfull self recovery programs from bulimia is one that based on serotonin-friendly eating plan and step-by-step daily schedualed recovery program. I hope this article will inspire you to invoke in yourself the miraculous self-healing powers of your body, mind and spirit, and help you get rid of the traumatic experience of bulimia once and forever.
Ksana Vera is recovered bulimic, author of complete self recovery program (two books "10 Days of the new life" and "The truth will set you free"). Ksana Vera is commited to helping others through their recovery from bulimia. Read more about the program at http://www.cureforbulimia.com
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