Nutrient Depletion in Anorexia Nervosa: Causes and Mechanisms

Restriction: People with anorexia nervosa severely restrict the amount of food they eat, which leads to a deficiency in essential nutrients.

Purging: Some people with anorexia nervosa engage in purging behaviors, such as vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise, which can further deplete the body of nutrients.

Malabsorption: Anorexia nervosa can lead to malabsorption, a condition in which the body is unable to absorb nutrients from the food that is eaten.

Hormonal changes: Anorexia nervosa disrupts the body's normal hormonal balance, which can lead to a decrease in the production of digestive enzymes, further impairing nutrient absorption.