Bulimia Nervosa

🌿 Overview

Bulimia nervosa describes people who attempt to restrict their eating but periodically go on eating binges, then purge through induced vomiting or laxative use to eliminate the food. Unlike anorexics who are typically dangerously thin, bulimics are often normal weight, making the disorder easier to hide. It is most common in professions requiring a certain appearance: models, actors, dancers. The repeated vomiting causes serious physical damage: swollen salivary glands, constant sore throat, hiatal hernia, esophageal inflammationThe body's natural response to injury — like redness, swelling, or heat around a sore spot. More →, erosion of tooth enamel, swollen facial glands, and broken blood vessels in the face. Laxative abuse causes rectal bleeding, bowel damage, and chronic diarrhea, as well as dangerous electrolyteTiny minerals like sodium and potassium that help your muscles and nerves work right. More → loss (especially potassium and sodium) leading to muscle spasms, dehydration, and cardiac arrest. Bulimics typically have chronically low serotonin, driving intense carbohydrate cravings.

Common signs

• Binge eating (consuming large amounts of food in secret)
• Purging behaviors: induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise
• Swollen salivary glands, sore throat, facial swelling
• Erosion of back tooth enamel from repeated stomach acid exposure
• Hiatal hernia and esophageal inflammation
• Hair loss, yellow skin, premature wrinkles, muscle fatigue
• Electrolyte imbalances: weakness, muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Hormonal disruption: chronically low serotonin drives intense cravings for simple carbohydrates
• Disrupted CCK (cholecystokinin) production: the satiety hormone fails to signal fullness normally after binge-restrict cycling
• Psychological: perfectionism, low self-esteem, sociocultural thin-ideal pressure
• Dietary: excess sugar and refined carbohydrate consumption worsens serotonin disruption

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. Stop all sugar and sugary foods immediately -- the serotonin-carbohydrate craving cycle must be broken.
2. Eat only the most nourishing simple whole food (no junk, no white-flour products).
3. Take a complete vitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More →-mineralA natural building block your body needs in small amounts, like calcium or magnesium. More → supplement.
4. The CCK mechanism can be re-regulated: eat just the right amount at every meal even when it does not feel like enough -- eventually, the satiety hormone will normalize.
5. Take small bites, chew slowly, eat from a small plate.
6. Herbs for anxiety and nervous excitation: marjoram, valerian, prickly lettuce.
7. Fucus and kelp (seaweed) produce a natural sensation of fullness and decrease appetite.
8. Avoid complicated food mixtures and meat.
9. The same emotional and social recovery steps used for anorexia apply -- positive social connections, service to others, and gentle exercise.

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

Simple, highly nourishing whole-food diet. No sugar, refined flour, junk food, processed food. Regular small meals from a small plate eaten slowly. Eliminate all triggers for bingeing (especially high-sugar foods). Kelp or fucus with meals to increase satiety. Complete vitamin-mineral supplement daily.

💬 Ask Remy about Bulimia Nervosa