Evidence supporting the use of: Carbohydrate
For the health condition: Bulimia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Carbohydrate intake plays a role in the nutritional management of bulimia nervosa, with some scientific validation supporting its use. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviors such as purging, which can disrupt normal metabolic and hormonal regulation. Individuals with bulimia often restrict their carbohydrate intake between binges, leading to increased cravings and a higher likelihood of binge episodes. Clinical guidelines and research studies suggest that normalizing carbohydrate intake as part of a balanced meal plan can help stabilize blood glucose levels, reduce cravings, and decrease the frequency of binge-purge cycles. Structured meal plans that emphasize regular, adequate carbohydrate consumption are a mainstay of evidence-based psychological and nutritional treatment protocols, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders. These approaches aim to correct the dietary restrictions that perpetuate bulimic behaviors. While there are few intervention studies specifically isolating carbohydrates as the single factor, their inclusion is considered essential in restoring physiological and psychological stability. Therefore, while carbohydrate use in treating bulimia is not directly “therapeutic” in the pharmacological sense, its normalization as part of a balanced diet is supported by clinical evidence and forms a key part of contemporary treatment guidelines.
Other ingredients used for Bulimia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)amino acids
chamomile
inositol
l-tryptophan
magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
zinc