Alternative Medicines for Eating Disorders

There are many Alternative medicines for eating disorders such as herb medicine, massage therapy, homeotherapy, psychotherapy and nutrition therapy. They all have an important role to play.

Herb Therapy

The following stimulants for the treatment of eating disorders are used as a healing method and always recommended as a complementary therapy.

Useful herbs are:
• * Angelica archangelica
• * Taraxacum officinale
• * Cnicus benedictus
• * Cinnamon
• * Fenugreek seed
• * skull cap
• * roman chamomile
• * Gentiana lutea

Massage Therapy

Massage two or three times a week for a month or two helps remove or relieve anxiety and increases the dopamine activity in the brain, which also improves concentration.

Homeotherapy

An intensive program with homeotherapy will help improve the eating disorder problem. Homeopathy is thought to have no side effects though its treatment will take a very long time to help cure the disorder, it is however highly effective.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy includes individual psychotherapy, behavior therapy, family therapy, group therapy, cognitive therapy and follow-up relaxation exercise.

Individual Therapy

Face to face counseling with the patient and continuously analyzing their emotional stress, helps to overcome their problems and follows up with their feelings and problems.

Behavior Therapy

Reward and punishment methods help in overcoming many of their problems and assist them to follow new behavior patterns. They also relieve stress and provide relaxation to the body and mind.

Family Therapy

When there is family support and encouragement from family members for the patient, improvement from the disorder is possible. The entire family is usually involved in the counseling process.

Group Therapy

Group therapy focuses on the immediate social group the person with the disorder is involved with. Getting them involved in a group saves the patient from feelings of isolation.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy focuses on the relationship between food and the individual suffering from the eating disorder. Completing a 24-hour recall diary helps ensure the patients altered food pattern is monitored carefully.

Nutrition Therapy

A well-trained dietician can help in developing a nutritious diet. This is important when looking for improvements in the patient's health. Food should be introduced gradually to ensure the patient does not suffer any setbacks.

Any patients suffering from eating disorders tend to have very low nutritional reserves, therefore the amount of vitamins and minerals should be increased in their diet especially vitamin B complex, such as vitamins B2 (riboflavin), niacin and B6 (pyridoxine).

Increased amounts of Antioxidants are also necessary to reduce oxidative stress. Vitamins A, C, and E, are antioxidants that assist in reducing the deterioration to the body, which is caused by free oxygen radicals. Zinc, which increases appetite, smell and cognitive function, repairs skin and relieves depression, is also needed to be included either in the diet or as a supplement.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-6 fatty acid and omega-3 fatty acid are necessary for normal development of the body. To prevent metabolic complications food rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids like fish should be included in the diet in plentiful supplies. A balanced meal is essential to improve the general health of anyone who suffers from an eating disorder.

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