Food & Mood, Growth & Immune
Psychiatrist Dr. James Greenblatt shares the case of a teenager suffering from anorexia nervosa. Already hospitalized due to vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, she kept losing weight until she was 58 percent of her ideal weight. She complained that she did not enjoy eating because food was tasteless, so doctors measured her zinc levels via specialized tests. She was found to be zinc deficient, immediately began intravenous zinc and her digestive problems disappeared within two days. After one week she switched to oral zinc supplementation. Over time, food became enjoyable for her and she gained weight. Improvement continued on the zinc supplement.