Eating Disorder Research

An eating disorder treatment breakthrough can be found in tyrosine, as revealed by an initial study. Tyrosine is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, dairy foods, eggs and beans. It is used in the brain to make neurotransmitters, messenger chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to another, including those linked to depression. A recent study showed that it is capable of stopping anorexia patients from starving themselves. This nutrient has been found to help improve the mental health of eating disorder sufferers. If this is the case, this research finding can translate to a treatment breakthrough for eating disorders. Anorexia patients have been found to be deficient in this important nutrient because of their depleted food intake. You can read the research here This is certainly a significant breakthrough for eating disorder treatment. Still, it does not address the cause of this disorder since the method of treatment does not have the effect of altering body image perceptions of the sufferers. Nothing was also mentioned about how much tyrosine an eating disorder patient should consume. More research is definitely needed.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York signed into law one bill that will ultimately help in early identification and prevention of eating disorders in child actors and models and another to improve the quality of care in residential treatment centers. This is just in time for Fashion Week, which begins September 9. As a result of the Governor's action, a Child Performers Advisory Board will be created oversee the development of guidelines to ensure that child actors suffering from or at risk for eating disorders are identified and have access to treatment. Also, board members will also develop educational materials to generate awareness about eating disorders. Read the news here