In a pioneering study conducted by MIT researchers way back in the seventies, it was established for the first time that the carbohydrate and protein contents of a meal, as well certain individual nutrients in the meal, could strongly influence the levels of certain mood/behavior-altering chemicals in the brain, particularly, neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells.
As a corollary, therefore, it follows that specific foods and nutrients could be used therapeutically to treat problems associated with imbalances in these brain chemicals.
One such traumatizing and difficult-to-fight problem, especially among young women. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of food binging and purging. Results of studies on bulimic patients suggest that the root cause of craving and binging on carbohydrate-rich foods (sugars and starches) is a low serotonin level in the brain (serotonin is associated with feelings of being relaxed, calm, cheerful, and less sensitive to pain).
Therefore, the main goal in treating bulimia without drugs and doctors is to identify the right kind of foods and nutrients that can help maintain an optimum level of serotonin, which in turn will help elevate mood, reduce food cravings, and improve self-image.
Although neurotransmitters are synthesized endogenously inside the body, certain foods can provide nutrients that act like chemical precursors, or parents, for neurotransmitters.
For example, tryptophan, an amino acid that is a part of protein foods found in meat, eggs, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, oats, sprouts, bananas, dried dates, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, spirulina, chickpeas.
Even though tryptophan is a component of protein, it is the intake of carbohydrate foods that actually brings about increased tryptophan levels in the blood and brain. This happens because of some biochemical reasons. Other nutrients that can play a vital role in the recovery of a bulimic are zinc, vitamin B complex and calcium.
A serotonin-friendly diet that is tailor-made to fight bulimia must, therefore, include in plenty foods like complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and protein preferably from vegetarian sources.
For example, a healthy breakfast could include a combination of fruits and cereals, lunch could comprise vegetables and starch (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes), and dinner should include protein with vegetables. Fruits/vegetables in combination with a skimmed-milk yogurt dressing are ideal for in-between-meals snacking.
There are many ex-bulimics that have intelligently and successfully fought the battle with bulimia in a completely natural and safe recovery way without drugs and doctors. One of the most successfull self recovery programs from bulimia is one that based on serotonin-friendly eating plan and step-by-step daily schedualed recovery program.
I hope this article will inspire you to invoke in yourself the miraculous self-healing powers of your body, mind and spirit, and help you get rid of the traumatic experience of bulimia once and forever.

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Just as eating problems don’t stem from being a bad person, you don’t have an eating disorder because you eat too little or too much. An eating disorder is a sign that the spiritual and mental systems of your body are out of whack. You are hurting, and the disorder is manifesting itself through your pain. Healing yourself is not a question of will power. The healing process needs to repair the underlying problem, a hurt that won’t go away by itself, no matter how hard you try to “will” it away. Eating disorders are often caused by serious traumatic experiences we have buried in our past. These could include sexual abuse, physical abuse, or a near death experience. The disorder cuts even deeper when consistently supported by cultural and environmental contributors such as growing up with families or friends who were overcritical about physical appearances. An eating disorder treatment center does more than help you change your diet or habits. It gets to the root of the problem-the underlying trauma as well as the unhealthy social images you’ve grown to contend with. An anorexia treatment center goes farther than mere nutrition, but also includes meditative, spiritual aspects. Programs go beyond just a healthy eating program, but include art expression, spiritual exploration, acupuncture and social therapies. The program is all inclusive, getting to the crux of the problem that rests at the base of each symptom. Likewise, bulimia treatment supports and treats the entire individual. This is not a blame game. The center recognizes the serious emotional effects living with this disorder can have. Programs focus on returning the balance, bringing in a holistic approach that focuses not just on the actual diet but actually finding happiness and fulfillment. 90 % of all eating disorders are caused by depression. When you find new energy in yourself, new reasons to live and new ways to enjoy living, you return yourself to a higher plane, the disorder melting away into a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Treatment programs focus on healing of the mind as well as the soul. Contending with an eating disorder is not about will power. You already have the will to live, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Treatment centers instead get to the root of the emotional problem so you can live well, happy and inspired by the very life that surrounds you. Treat the whole of the problem through an introspective program of art, pet, recreational, and meditative therapies. Healing the whole is the only way to completely weed out the root of the disorder and return the body, mind and soul to their natural healthy balances. Casa Palmera is one such treatment center that focuses on the holistic health of the individual. More information can be found by emailing info@casapalmera.com or calling 888.481.4481.

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