Abundantly available in cold water fish oils, omega 3 fatty acids, primarily EPA and DHA, play a phenomenal role in the development and functioning of brain, central nervous system and other essential body organs. In fact, the importance of omega 3 fish oils in the treatment of various cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neuronal disorders is well documented.
In addition, recent research studies reveal an important link between fish oil and bulimia. According to researchers, people suffering from bulimia can experience exceptional improvement in their disease symptoms with a daily intake of omega 3 oil supplements.
What is Bulimia?
Discovered in the year 1979 by a British psychiatrist named Gerald Russell, Bulimia nervosa is a typical binge eating disorder where an individual follows a disordered and recurrent eating pattern, which is later compensated through inappropriate compensatory mechanisms such as self-induced purging or vomiting, fasting, extra exercising and excess use of diuretics, and laxatives.
According to physicians, bulimia is a neurological disorder commonly observed in individuals experiencing depression, trauma, stress and other associated psychiatric disorders.
People suffering from bulimia consume excess quantities of food as they would have no control on when to consume food or how much food to be consumed at one particular time.
Other symptoms of bulimia include constipation, fluctuating body weight, diarrhea, abdominal gas, dehydration, damaged tooth enamel, irregular menstrual cycle patterns, bad breath, sore throat and depression.
If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to some serious health complications such as chronic gastric reflux, esophagitis, peptic ulcers, and cardiac arrhythmia. Connection between fish oil and bulimia seems to provide an effective alternative therapy against this disease.
How fish oils are effective against bulimia?
Oils derived from cold water fish such as salmons, mackerels, sardines, and hoki exhibit remarkable healing properties.
Omega 3 fatty acids present in these oils stimulate the growth and functioning of neurons, improve the neuronal synapse and signaling, trigger the release of various neurotransmitters and regulate the secretion of endocrine hormones, which eventually help in stabilizing moods and help individuals recover from symptoms of bulimia and depression.
Another relationship between fish oil and bulimia is that the oil is rich in antioxidants, trace minerals, and anti-inflammatory compounds that neutralize the levels of harmful free radicals, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other toxins, thereby reducing inflammation.
According to researchers, consuming 4-6 servings of omega 3 oil supplements daily or 2 salmon fish servings in a week would help develop immunity tremendously.
On a whole, exploring the association between fish oil and bulimia proves a valuable treatment strategy for millions of people suffering from this rampant disorder.