Some bulimics may be overly sensitive to certain kinds of food, such as sweets or carbohydrates, according to a study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by "food binges" followed by purging either through vomiting or over-exercising.
- Although bulimia is classified as an eating disorder along with anorexia nervosa, new research using brain imaging techniques shows that the two disorders are very different in terms of the way sufferers respond to food cues.
- For example, bulimics show more brain activity in the nucleus accumens region of the brain when shown certain kinds of food.
- This region has been identified as an area that becomes active in drug addiction.
- One theory is that bulimics may be seeking an addictive kind of "high" from certain kinds of food.
Since about half of bulimics respond to serotonin-boosting medications, bulimia may have something to do with low levels of that brain chemical. Having a low level of serotonin is also linked to depression.
Since bulimics do not feel satisfied by ordinary amounts of food, their condition could also be related to having insensitive vagus nerves. The vagus nerve is involved in feeling satiated and eating normal amounts.
Labels: bulimia
Posted By: Jane St. Clair
