When I stepped away from working in hospitals to focus on guiding clients in proactive health and disease prevention, I found a passion for gut health. I focused on understanding the relationship between the human gut microbiome and wellbeing. With personal and professional experience supporting individuals with Eating Disorders, I noticed that focusing on gut health in particular helps individuals improve both physically and mentally. Overtime, this observation grew into what I now call the 6 pillars to wellness and address all disease and disorders. In this blog, I share the transcript of a podcast about the unspoken connection between eating disorders and gut health.
Dietitains Australia reported a 300% increase in Australians seeking Eating Disorder support since the start of the COVID19 pandemic, with more than 4 million Australians experiencing an eating disorder or disordered eating.
To understand the link between eating disorders and gut health, we need to know a little about the mechanisms of gut health. Our gut microbiome is an ecosystem of gut bugs. Think of it as the Great Barrier Reef at it's prime. Filled with corals of different colours and fishies small and large. This ecosystem is maintained by the foods we eat. Just like any ecosystem, these gut bugs have preferred fuels. We house fibre loving gut bugs, protein loving gut bugs and a third category which will eat what we give them. They are not fussy at all.
What happens to our gut microbiome when we experience eating disorders? And what does this mean?
The fibre loving gut bugs work in our favor. They produce healthfull chemicals (Short Chain Fatty Acids) that keep our gut lining strong. The protien loving gut bugs produce harmful chemicals that weaken our gut lining. Our gut lining is made up of proteins. Individuals living with an eating disorder often restrict and starve their gut microbiome. This cultivaes an imbalance of bacteria and a majority of protein loving bacteria. Starving ourselves will result in these bacteria feeding themselves with our gut lining. This is how we end up with a 'bleached coral reef system', an imbalanced gut microbiome where one type of bacteria dominate. This increases the gut lining permeability, known as 'Leaky Gut Syndrome'.
And what are some common eating disorders and its impact on our gut?
This can happen across all eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, eating disorders otherwise not specified, even binge eating disorder depending on the foods an individual is consuming. Eating a highly processed diet, ultra-processed foods with additives and preservatives, following a strict diet with a lack of fibre variety, even poorly designed FODMAPs diets can also result in a weakened gut lining. The gut microbiome is responsible for neurotransmitter production including dopamine and serotonin as well as hormones. With such poor gut health in eating disorders, mental health suffers. The physical symptoms one might experience include food intolerances, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, immune system challenges, nutrient deficiencies most commonly but not limited to B12 and iron.
What are some symptoms or red flags that people should be watching out for in themselves or others?
As we have a range of eating disorders, there is a range of effects on the gut and symptoms to look out for. Keep in mind eating disorders affect mental health physiologically due to reduced capacity to produce neurotransmitters and hormones. Some things I have personally done when I experienced an eating disorder, and other red flags I have noticed in clients:
A change in attitude, mood and behaviours (gut-brain axis)
Withdrawing socially (fear of foods)
Hiding wrappers/ foods/ rearranging the cupboard obsessively
Restricting food groups
Negative self talk
Not eating with the family
Overexercising, underfuelling
How can improving gut health help with eating disorders?
As we improve the integrity of our gut lining, strength it by cultivating fibre loving bacteria we also start producing more healthful neurotransmitters and hormones which impact mental health. One feeds into the other. There is no real beginning or end. It is a cycle, a pattern we learn to change through healthy eating habits. The key with eating disorders is to start low and slow with fibres. Too much too soon can exacerbate symptoms.
Case Studies
The best thing my doctor could have done for me 15 years ago was never label me with the disease. What separated me from anorexia nervosa was my growth mindset. I wanted to my experience for something good. He planted the seed and I cultivated it and it grew into NuFit Wellness.
When clients present with these red flags of eating disorders, no matter what their age and they've been as young as 8yo and as wise as 80yo, I never talk to them in terms of eating disorders unless asked. If they ask, I will say to them something along the lines of what my doctor said to me: you have some eating habits that are not serving your health well. You will work to change them and feel better than you can imagine right now. I am here for you.
My heart broke multiple times in the process of helping others heal. It takes a lot out of me to support both children and parents on this journey. However, through experience I have found ways to make it fun, engaging and lighthearted. My sessions are filled with laughter, playfulness, passion and purpose. Seeing a 9yo girl change her mindset from "I don't want to be bullied like she was" to "my body needs the traffic lights", watching her gain the strength to uphold her body, the dark circles under her eyes disappear and her mothers relief overtime, that is priceless. Watching young adults reconnect with a love for culture, tradition, cooking from home and reengage with family. Hearing athletes thrive in their sporting events as well as university endeavors. That's what this work does.
Change can be scary, it is also where your full potential lies and how you learn to live life well.
Tag & Share with your friends who would love it too! Sign up for my Free NuFit Wellness Newsletter and be the first to know it all. Attend my Wellness Workshops. Kathy O - Health & Wellness Strategist: Supporting people achieve optimal health, wealth and relationships with lifestyle principles through awareness, bretah and choice. Embodiment Coach: Alignment is the method. Embodiment is the achievement. Authenticity is a byproduct. Be unstoppable. Be authentically you.
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KEYWORDS: Eating Disorders, Gut Health, Digestion, Microbiome, Gut, Microbes, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Bacteria, Short Chain Fatty Acids, Fibre.
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