A new eating disorder called Orthorexia nervosa! Is it real or imaginary?

What is an eating disorder? Is it a disease or frame of mind of a person? There does not appear to be any consensus regarding the definition, reasons or cure  for various eating disorders. But it is more or less agreed that it is a psychological disorder characterized by either insufficient eating or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa (over eating), Aneroxia nervosa (insufficient eating), binge eating disorder (uncontrolled eating), compulsive over eating (COE) (habitual over eating), Diabulomia (over use of insulin to cut down weight) Orthorexia nervosa (shunning food because of purity consideration), Drinkorexia nervosa (under eating to accommodate more alcoholic drinks), Pregorexia nervosa (under eating during pregnancy to prevent weight gain)etc though the first two are universally recognized. Orthorexia nevosa is not a new disorder as being made out in the following.report though those supposed to be affected by it are increasing in number causing some concern. This is more an obsession with the "purity" of food and develops over a period of time through aversion to common foods thus causing insufficient ingestion of food which can cause serious consequences. Here is a take on this "tongue twisting" disorder.

Many people focus on eating healthy, but can too much of that become a problem?  New eating disorder, orthorexia, classifies obsession with quality of food. This new kind of "disordered eating" is an extreme or excessive pre-occupation with eating only foods deemed pure. The big difference between orthorexia and other eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, is that sufferers focus on the quality of food and not the quantity.Take a walk down the aisle of any grocery store these days, and it's hard to miss: organic, farm to table, gluten free. The push to make healthier food choices can be overwhelming, and in some cases, downright obsessive. "When it gets to the point where you're unable to make a choice, and you choose not to eat because of it or you obsess over your choices, that's when it becomes disordered eating," said Brook Albert, a registered dietitian.

One of the reasons for people to succumb to this disorder is the scare reports that spread regarding the dangers of modern processed foods as well as commercially produced farm products because of excessive use of chemicals like pesticides, food additives and irrational processing practices. The organic food movement that promotes foods grown or produced with natural fertilizers, non-use of chemical crop protectants and other practices not permitted under the relevant laws governing organic food production has spurred the spread of this disorder further Since organic food availability is restricted people who regularly consume these foods will naturally depend on them over a period of time and develop aversion to normal market foods. This is how symptoms of Orthorexia nevosa appear and with a little bit of will power and conscious determination this symptomatic and psychological behavior can be overcome.  

 V..H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

FOOD CRAVINGS AND BRAIN STIMULATION

Overweight and obesity are concerns that span across the world though the population in developed country are more vulnerable because of their higher purchasing capacity compared to their counter parts in poor countries. But whether there is any correlation between economic factors and food craving seen among over weight people is still a matter of debate. Some experts believe that over eating is more a disease and those indulging in gluttony need treatment. Some others think the food industry is to be blamed for supplying cheap foods with empty calories with practically no nutritive value. Adding to the confusion is that fact some people even if they eat more calories than they really need still do not put on weight. The white fat vs brown fat debate that propounds the theory that those with higher brown fat do not put on unnecessary weight is still going on without any unequivocal conclusion. Ultimately every one agrees that consuming more calories than required by the body, without burning them through exercise, can be the major cause for overweight. Here comes another report that says that the brain is the culprit in making people eat more food through cravings and there is a possibility of reducing these cravings through electric stimulation of certain part of the brain. Read more details about this from the below referred report

"A new study conducted by the University of Waterloo explains the link between a certain part of brain and craving high-calorie food.According to the researchers, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is an area in brain that is involved in 'execution function'. Previous researches have established that DLPFC has a vital role to play in regulating food cravings. The team carried out an experiment on 21 women who frequently craved calorie-dense foods. These women were first shown pictures of high-calorie foods to stimulate their craving. The experts then applied magnetic stimulation to their DLPFC. It was found that this theta-burst stimulation resulted in reducing craving pangs for high-calorie foods in these women. During a subsequent "taste test," these women consumed more of these foods, rather than alternative, less-appetizing foods (dark chocolate and soda crackers). Stimulation to weaken DLPFC activity was also associated with lower performance on a test of inhibitory control strength. The study was published in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, the official journal of the American Psychosomatic Society. According to the study, decreased DLPFC activity appeared to be associated with increased "reward sensitivity" and made the participants "more sensitive to the rewarding properties of palatable high caloric foods," the researchers said. The experts explained how people with weak executive function may lack the dietary self-control which plays a crucial role in regulating calorie-dense foods. Those who struggle to maintain this self-control may be more likely to become overweight or obese. DLPFC stimulation may come as a boon to them. At the "basic neurobiological level," the study provides direct evidence that the DLPFC is involved in one specific aspect of food cravings - reward anticipation. The team therefore concluded that with minor magnetic stimulation to a person's DLPFC, one's craving for high-calorie foods can be manipulated accordingly. This can aid in keeping a check on the rising levels of global obesity and associated diseases." 

It is crazy that those who eat uncontrollably had to be taken to a neurologist for brain treatment to curb their cravings! But if the findings are true,magnetic stimulation of DLPFC  could be a treatment procedure at least for a few people who are grossly obese requiring medical intervention. What is unclear in this report is whether such procedures have to applied throughout life or whether a regimen of treatment can cure such people of their cravings. Probably further work may be necessary to bring more clarity to the findings of the above group.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com


              

FOOD "ADDICTION"-OVER EATING A MEDICAL PROBLEM?

Eating food is a biological necessity to provide the basic components of nutrition for survival. It is universally agreed that human beings require around 2000 calories obtained mainly from carbohydrates, some from 50 gm of protein and 50 gm of fat besides essential amino acids, essential fatty acids and micro nutrients like vitamins and minerals. What happens if the calorie intake overshoots the required level? That will be the beginning of the modern day disease "Obesity". When calories that go in are more than that which is burned by the body for various biological functions, excess is stored in different parts of the body resulting in progressive increase in body weight. Why should humans eat more than that demanded by the body? It is here that there is no consensus among the scientists. Recent studies are showing that eating can become a disorder or addiction like alcohol or drugs for many people due to a variety of factors and situations and chucking this addiction is more difficult than other substance abuses because of the omnipotence of calorie rich foods all around. Here is a revealing report on this interesting issue from a psychiatric point of view.

"Can we classify food as an addiction? Persistent use despite problems related to the use of the substance... check. Compulsive and repetitive use... check. Cravings... check. Withdrawal? There is certainly withdrawal -- just ask anyone who has tried to change his or her diet cold turkey. This is why it is so difficult to make healthier food choices and cut off the foods that we crave. The hypothesis that food is an addiction is currently being studied by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. Research is showing that there are similarities in the way the brain responds to drugs and highly-palatable foods. Certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, are released in response to certain drugs, and the same pathways seem to be cross-linked with certain foods. The addictive nature of foods is important to understand because we are sometimes too eager to blame obesity on lack of willpower or fortitude. Yes, we make choices, we can choose not to smoke, we can choose not to take drugs, but we cannot choose "not to eat." If we are genetically susceptible to addiction and we are given the right trigger, such as an overwhelming stress or in our life that causes us ongoing anxiety, then we will connect certain foods to those pathways in the brain that release those "feel good" neurotransmitters and we have a full-blown addiction. The thing about food addiction is that, unlike drugs, alcohol or smoking, food addiction is not yet frowned upon by society. It's still "okay" to be addicted to food, plus it's cheap, readily available in large quantities, it's packed with high density carbs and fats, it's promoted all over the media, and it is legal! What an ideal substance to abuse, right? In my many years of treating people with weight problems and with my own experience as a recovering binge eater, I identified certain recurrent factors that affect overeating. These factors fit together in a specific order to create a cycle that explains why we overeat and why it's so hard to break the habit. If we never manage the triggers, we're bound to repeat this cycle. Even after a "successful" diet, we'll gain the weight back".

A raging debate is going on between industry stalwarts and health pundits regarding the responsibility for curtailing consumption of so called junk foods being turned out by the food manufacturers. While the industry feels it is the responsibility of the individual consumer to make informed choice of foods from the aisles of super markets based on the information provided on the label, critics point out the deceitful practices of many industry players in camouflaging their patently bad foods as good ones, making the food cheaper than good ones and promoting their products through incessant and misleading advertisements. However with the new findings that eating food can be an addiction, it is apparent that those who over indulge will have to be treated on par with those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Food industry must realize its responsibility to such a society where there are millions of food addicts and a deliberate policy of shifting its food portfolio from less healthy foods to more healthy ones can deny these new class of addicts easy access to them.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

PLATE SIZE AND "EVOLUTION"-GROWING IN "SIZE"!

Here is an historical perspective about the growing portion size of meals humans have been consuming for centuries and its impact on health.

"69.2: The percentage increase in the size of the main course in 52 paintings of the Last Supper over the last millennium, a study in the International Journal of Obesity found. The study, by the brothers Brian Wansink of Cornell University and Craig Wansink of Virginia Wesleyan College, also found that plate size increased by 66 percent and bread size by 23 percent. Brian Wansink says the findings suggest that the phenomenon of serving bigger portions on bigger plates — which pushes people to overeat — has occurred gradually over the millennium as food has become more abundant and affordable".

It is surprising to notice such gradual changes in quantity of food consumed, considering that human nutritional needs and volume of Gastrointestinal system remained same with out much change. To day's foods are calorie and fat rich compared to old days and therefore it is a paradox that more food of this type is consumed to get same satiety. Reducing plate size may not be a solution to the over eating problem though many advocates are supporting "down sizing" of "serving portion" in food labels as a possible strategy to reduce food consumption.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

EATING ATTITUDE-THE CULPRIT FOR OVER EATING?

The over eating phenomenon that causes putting on unwanted and unhealthy extra weight is a multi-dimensional problem. Easy availability, low cost, large portion size, fast and frequent eating habits, ignoring information on calorie and fat content in the portion consumed, all contribute to over eating. Recently researchers have included the "eating attitude" to the list of probable causative factors for obesity.

"Guilt-ridden dieters, impulsive eaters and individuals too busy to focus on food are the most likely to show signs of obesity, according to a new study of middle-aged women and food attitudes conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota's Food Industry Center".

It is rather scary that middle aged women are prone to obesity because of their eating behavior because most of the health problems in them begin during the middle age. Surely they can do without an additional problem in the form of obesity due to their lackadaisical attitude to diet and food consumption. On the other extreme is the category of women, mostly teenagers and those in twenties, who recklessly resort to unscientific diets for keeping their body slim and attractive. Food must be given its due, if aesthetically and physically, one has to maintain the body without any health afflictions.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

EATERIES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS-IMPACT ON HEALTH

One of the reasons for over eating has been believed to be location of fast food joints very near to the residential areas and policy makers in some countries even bar setting up new restaurants and eateries in proximity to densely populated places in some of the urban areas. Probably it is common sense that easy availability of food could be a temptation for consumers to eat foods there rather than going through the elaborate process of cooking at home. But common sense need not be dependable always as being proved by new studies that contradict the above presumption.

"Virtually every study in the last two years has blamed neighborhoods for obesity rather than the people who eat too much - but living near a variety of restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets and even fast food outlets actually lowers your risk for obesity, according to a new study from the University of Utah. Surprisingly, people who live more than a half mile away from any food outlets are the ones who tend to be fatter. The study suggests that placing restrictions on fast food outlets may not be effective, but that initiatives to increase healthy neighborhood food options may reduce individuals' obesity risks, especially if focused on low-income neighborhoods".

Probably there may be some substance in the above finding as people living farther from restaurants may tend to over eat or resort to carrying foods from these eateries for eating at home, being reluctant to frequent the place too often. It is easier said than done when suggestions are made to change the menu at the restaurants in favor of more healthier foods to prevent people developing obesity like disorders. Voluntary efforts to shift the quality of menu in these restaurants in favor of healthier foods may be too slow in coming unless economic initiatives are offered for such a conscious switch.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com