It has been suggested that protein supplementation for anorexics is not a viable cure for the condition. Well of course it isn't: Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychological condition in which even stick-thin girls with not an ounce of body fat believe themselves to be too fat. This is not a condition that can be cured by diet, but some of its symptoms can be partially controlled by diet if the patient can be persuaded to take sound direction.

If left untreated, anorexia nervosa leads inevitably to death by malnutrition as many prominent cases have demonstrated. Vocalists Karen Carpenter and Lina Zavaroni are likely the best known, although probably the most tragic recent cases were modeling sisters Luisel and Eliana Ramos who died within six months of each other in 2006 and 2007.  It is important to understand this when considering how nutritional supplements can help to keep such people alive until they receive the appropriate treatment for their condition.

Anorexia leads to malnutrition:  an obvious statement, but one that is often not considered carefully enough.  An anorexic will not eat a meal, but might take a highly concentrated supplement such as protein supplementation that will provide them with the amino acids needed to maintain life.

People can live for a limited period without vitamins and minerals, although they will suffer a variety of medical conditions. Many of these can be treated, but not so with a total lack of protein.  There are 8 - 10 essential amino acids, without which your body biochemistry cannot be sustained. Body cells cannot be regenerated, metabolism cannot occur and the immune system dies.

Proteins are the source of these amino acids. They are not provided in the raw state, but in the form of the building blocks that made up the dietary proteins. If you consider proteins as made from toy plastic building bricks of many different shapes, then your body's digestive system breaks them down into the individual bricks, or amino acids, that can then be used to build other shapes, or different proteins required by your body.

There is a total of 20-22 of these bricks available to your body, of which 10-12 can be made from other components taken from other parts of your diet.  However, 8-10 cannot be made from these smaller components, and must be taken in your diet. Protein supplementation provides all of these and so enables your body to maintain all of its essential functions without any further food being required, except perhaps for some vitamin and mineral supplements.

Many anorexics have no problem taking vitamin and mineral pills, but they certainly won't eat beef or chicken.  However if you offer them protein concentrates they may take these. If this is you, then your health and even your life depends upon at least taking some form of protein supplementation and vitamins and minerals. Another fact is that you heart and lungs need energy to work.  Without it they will fail.

Energy comes from carbohydrates, nothing else, and if you take the minimum carbs needed for life, the vitamin and mineral supplements needed and protein supplementation then you will survive without adding weight.

However, this information is not authoritative, and you must take the advice of your physician on how best to deal with your condition. Supplements are not enough and you need professional advice on how to remain slim and healthy. There is lots of such advice available and you  should at least listen to it.

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