Anorexia Nervosa and Fasting

Anorexia nervosa is a very serious and sometimes life-threatening eating disorder that affects thousands of people across the globe. However, due to social media and unrealistic beauty standards, the condition is becoming more and more common every year.

In today’s health-conscious society, it’s important to note that anorexia nervosa and fasting are not the same thing. Below, we will go into a bit more detail, highlighting the main differences between the two.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (commonly known as simply anorexia) is a severe eating disorder and mental health condition. It is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight. In fact, the individual usually suffers from body dysmorphia, believing themselves to be overweight when they are actually the opposite.

Even when they are dangerously thin and malnourished, this distorted body image will dictate their eating habits. In other words, this intense fear will cause them to restrict their food intake, exercise vigorously and often, or engage in other activities that could lead to weight loss.

It’s important to understand that an individual isn’t born with anorexia nervosa. Over a prolonged period, one or a combination of influences can lead to the development of the condition. This includes genetic, neurochemical, psychological, and environmental factors. ^[1]

Presented next are a few of the most noticeable features of anorexia nervosa.

Extreme Weight Loss and Other Physical Symptoms

One of the easiest ways to identify anorexia nervosa is through the various physical symptoms that arise as a result of it.

The individual will noticeably lose weight, below what is considered healthy for a person of their age, gender, and height. On top of this, the lack of food will lead to chronic fatigue and dizziness.

Over time, their hair will begin to thin, their nails will become brittle, and their skin may appear dry and translucent. Finally, menstrual irregularities are common in women suffering from anorexia nervosa, as the body’s hormone balance is also interrupted, resulting from a lack of the energy reserves necessary to support reproduction.

An Obsession With Weight

Another common warning sign of anorexia nervosa is an obsession with weight and weight loss. A person with anorexia nervosa will usually have a psychological fear of gaining weight–so much so that they may even appear repulsed or afraid of foods that are considered to be unhealthy or fattening.

The individual is likely to weigh themselves frequently, sometimes after every meal. Individuals with anorexia nervosa may be willing to do anything to lose a few more pounds, even when there are no pounds left to lose. This can involve excessive exercise or, in severe cases, purging. They are also likely to talk about food and weight often.

A Distorted Body Image

The driving force behind anorexia nervosa is a distorted body image. This means that the individual sees themselves as overweight or “fat” when, in reality, they are underweight, malnourished, and potentially critically unhealthy.

The person may talk about their weight often or how they don’t like their body. They may also comment on or admire other people’s physiques. ^[1]

The Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

Malnourishment is a very serious condition that can have life-altering physical and mental effects. On top of the short-term symptoms mentioned previously (dry skin, brittle nails, lack of energy, thinning hair, etc.), there are also many long-term symptoms that could severely reduce an individual’s quality of life, like these:

• Bone density loss
• Heart problems and organ failure
• Hormone imbalances
• Neurobiological issues
• Gastrointestinal issues

We will go into more detail regarding the long-term health effects of anorexia nervosa below.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is the voluntary abstention of all food and drink for a certain period. There are a number of reasons why a person would choose to fast, including religious practices and weight management. ^[2]

More so, there are various types of fasting, each with their own risks and potential benefits:

• Intermittent fasting – This type of fasting involves time-restricted eating, which includes alternating periods of eating and abstaining from all foods. For example, the person may only eat between noon and 8 PM every day. It is usually practiced as a means to lose weight, although research also shows that intermittent fasting can improve an individual’s overall metabolic health.
• Partial fasting – This refers to a diet that rules out particular foods, such as caffeine, sweets, or red meat.
• Religious fasting – Certain religions include fasting as a part of their culture and rituals. For example, Muslims will fast during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan, only breaking their fast once the sun has set. Other religions that practice fasting include Christianity during Lent and Judaism during Yom Kippur.
• Water fasting – This involves only drinking water (no food) for a certain period of time.

The Risks of Fasting

While the different types of fasting can have potential health benefits, fasting must be done right to help ensure safety. Depriving the body of food and liquid for a time can also pose a number of very serious health risks, including dehydration, chronic fatigue, migraines and dizziness, digestive issues, and nutritional deficiencies.

For this reason, if you are considering fasting yourself, it is always recommended to consult a health professional beforehand. This is especially true if you have any sort of underlying health conditions or a history of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa. ^[2]

What’s the Difference Between Fasting and Anorexia?

As we’ve already mentioned, while anorexia nervosa and fasting each involve certain dietary restrictions, the two are not the same. It is very important that we understand the differences between them, as anorexia can be incorrectly identified as a type of fasting when, in reality, it is a life-threatening physical and psychiatric condition that requires immediate attention.

The main differences between fasting and anorexia nervosa include:

• Intent – Anorexia is driven by an intense fear of food and gaining weight. Food is restricted in order to control weight and body shape. On the other hand, fasting is usually done for religious, personal, or medical reasons, such as weight management. Unlike anorexia, it is usually planned or controlled.
• Duration – Anorexia is a chronic disease that involves long-term patterns of restrictive eating. Fasting, however, is only temporary. The individual will participate in set periods of fasting and eating.
• Health impact – Fasting, if done correctly, can provide a number of health benefits. Anorexia provides no health benefits. In fact, it is detrimental to one’s physical and mental health.
• The psychological aspect – Fasting doesn’t involve a fear of food or weight gain, while anorexia is driven by emotional factors. More so, anorexia is likely to leave the person with psychological challenges, such as severe anxiety and depression. ^[5]

Health Risks of Anorexia and Fasting

We have already discussed a few of the short-term health risks associated with anorexia nervosa. While the short-term effects are significant, the long-term side effects can increase morbidity and mortality, which is what makes this condition so problematic and crippling.

Long-Term Health Risks of Anorexia Nervosa

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are commonly developed by individuals with a history of anorexia nervosa. These conditions are characterized by a weakening of the bones, making them more fragile and prone to breakages and fractures.

Severe malnutrition is a common cause of adverse heart conditions. More specifically, not providing the body with sufficient energy and fuel can result in an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, and severely weakened heart muscles. Over time, these factors can contribute to heart failure.

Malnutrition can also wreak havoc on the digestive system, leading to a number of gastrointestinal issues. This includes chronic constipation and severe bloating. The digestive system will simply have no food to break down or process, and the gut can suffer long-term damage.

Women who suffer from anorexia nervosa will experience a wide range of hormonal imbalances, leading to irregular or absent menstrual cycles. This severely impacts their ability to become pregnant. Even if the individual goes on to recover from the eating disorder, their chances of fertility may be reduced.

Malnutrition can also lead to brain damage, which affects the person’s overall cognitive function and emotional stability. Finally, prolonged anorexia nervosa is likely to severely impact the health of vital organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. ^[3]

Health Risks of Fasting

Fasting, if done incorrectly or for a prolonged period, can pose a number of risks to an individual’s overall health. This includes short-term effects, such as intense hunger, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, bloating, and dehydration.

Fasting can also cause serious long-term effects:

• Muscle loss – Prolonged periods of fasting can lead to muscle loss, as the body will eventually start breaking down muscle tissue as a source of energy.
• Weakened immunity – Food provides the body with important nutrients. Without these, the immune system cannot properly function, leading to an increased susceptibility to disease and illness.
• Heart risks – Malnutrition is a leading cause of cardiovascular issues, as a result of electrolyte imbalances, tachycardia, and lack of energy reserves for vital organ functions.
• Endocrine dysfunction – Malnutrition can lead to hypoglycemia and impaired functions of the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas.
• Hormone imbalances – Extended periods of fasting can result in hormone imbalances. Over time, this will affect many organ systems and physiological functions, including endocrine secretion, reproductive actions, and appetite regulation.

How to Fast Safely

In order to ensure that you fast safely, it is important to follow certain guidelines. This will help to avoid the above-mentioned health risks and maintain your overall health and well-being:

• Consult a health professional – If you are planning to incorporate fasting into your diet, it is highly recommended that you talk to a health professional beforehand. They will identify any health conditions that may impact the overall success of fasting.
• Eat the right foods – When you do break your fast, be sure to eat nutrient-dense foods that provide your body with the right vitamins and minerals.
• Hydrate adequately – If you are able to drink water as a part of your fast, be sure to hydrate adequately. You should drink more water than you would normally without fasting (i.e., more than 8 cups per day).
• Ease back into eating – When you break your fast, don’t overeat. Ease back into eating, as this will prevent any habits of binging. ^[4]

Warning Signs of Dangerous Fasting

If done incorrectly, fasting can lead to an eating disorder. For this reason, it is essential that we are able to identify the warning signs of when fasting may be crossing into eating disorder territory.

These signs include:

• Obsessive thoughts about eating and fasting. In other words, they are constantly planning for their next fast
• Strictly adhering to restrictive eating patterns
• Avoiding social events or shying away from eating in front of others
• Feeling guilt or shame after eating
• Experiencing significant weight loss
• Increased anxiety over food and fasting

When to Seek Professional Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with suspected or diagnosed anorexia nervosa, here’s what you can do.

Professional Help for Anorexia Nervosa

If you suspect that you or someone that you know may be suffering from anorexia nervosa, it is recommended that you contact a health professional right away. Accepting that you have a problem and seeking assistance is the first step in recovery.

In this case, the doctor will monitor your current health condition and provide the necessary medical advice in order to move forward. More so, they are likely to recommend a mental health professional in order to get to the bottom of the situation.

Professional Help for Problematic Fasting

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be fasting in an unhealthy manner, professional help is highly recommended. They will be able to offer sound nutritional advice moving forward, ensuring that you adopt healthy and maintainable fasting habits.