This is part of an ongoing series I am starting called “Understanding Anorexia.” These posts (which I will continue to do every now and then going forward) will focus on different physiological, nutritional, and psychological aspects of anorexia nervosa (AN). Today we will be talking about zinc deficiency! This is a major topic to be aware of you are experiencing AN, have a history of AN, or work with people with AN.
Zinc deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies in those with AN. Given that zinc is involved in so many key physiological processes, it is vital for eating disorder treatment and recovery to ensure that your zinc levels are in a good place. In this post, we are going to cover several topics related to zinc including:
- What is zinc and why is it important?
- What are good food sources of zinc?
- How are zinc deficiency and AN related?
- What can I do to improve my zinc levels?
Let’s dive in!
