| Anorexia symptoms include bone fractures, low bone | | | | vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium often prove to |
| density and osteoporosis. The condition is typically | | | | be an acceptable alternative because they provide |
| identified during mid to late adolescence--which is a | | | | nutrition without causing any weight gain. If a person |
| critical period for bone development. Anorexia is an | | | | is eating irregularly or purging during the day, taking a |
| eating disorder characterized by an irrational fear of | | | | single serving of a comprehensive supplement such |
| weight gain and severe restriction of diet and | | | | as Greens+ Bone Builder may provide an optimal |
| nutrition. While the majority of people with anorexia | | | | solution until recovery is achieved. Taking the |
| are female, an estimated 5 to 15 percent of people | | | | supplement before going to bed will take maximum |
| with anorexia are male. | | | | advantage of the bone renewal that occurs |
| Anorexia is typically identified during mid to late | | | | overnight. |
| adolescence, which is a critical period for bone | | | | EXERCISE |
| development. Up to one third of peak bone density is | | | | Anorexia is often accompanied by compulsive |
| achieved during puberty. This is the time when we fill | | | | exercising aimed at burning calories and punishing |
| up our bone banks- from which we will make | | | | oneself for eating something "bad". Weight-bearing |
| withdrawals later in life. The degree of bone loss | | | | exercises are important for bone health but people |
| seen with anorexia is unique in its severity and | | | | with anorexia must also consider the risk of fractures. |
| anorexia symptoms of bone loss can be detected | | | | Low impact weight training can help to strengthen |
| after only 6 months of illness. Compression fractures | | | | the bones if done in moderation rather than as |
| and spinal deformity are not uncommon amongst | | | | punishment. |
| very young patients. | | | | ESTROGEN THERAPY |
| A bone mineral density (BMD) test can detect bone | | | | Low body weight can cause women to stop |
| loss before a fracture occurs and indicate the risk of | | | | producing estrogen and men to stop producing the |
| future fractures. However, some studies indicate that | | | | testosterone needed for healthy bone development. |
| changes in bone structure begin well before | | | | However, the effectiveness of estrogen replacement |
| decreases in bone density reveal themselves through | | | | therapy in treating anorexia is still unclear. Some |
| a DXA test. A flat-panel volume CT allows the bones | | | | studies found that estrogen/progestin replacement |
| to be examined at higher resolution (with relatively | | | | and calcium supplementation did not prevent or |
| low radiation) for more accurate results. | | | | reverse bone loss, while others found that it |
| DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS | | | | prevented bone loss but did not increase bone |
| While a healthy diet is the best way to maintain | | | | density. Research is on-going and the appropriateness |
| healthy bones, it is also the most compromised during | | | | of the treatment should be discussed with your |
| anorexia. Calcium and vitamin supplements that include | | | | doctor. |