Anti-depressents typically move serotonin from the gut to the brain — something like that. Often, other side effects occur, like constipation — which for some of us, is what got us in this mess in the first place. Other side effects could be weight gain — which is exactly the opposite of what a bulimic would want to have happen in most cases.

In general, I like to take a natural approach to health, unless the situation is acute — any really serious illness or thoughts of suicide, etc., I would say drugs could really help there. But for chronic illness that no doctor has been able to really, successfully cure — the ones that still confound the medical & pschological industry – these seem to respond better with a whole approach to health involving healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, healthy attitude.

I’ll do a post on this where I can share more research, once I have some time to look things up. It’s pretty fascinating how the body works and how it can heal itself. Drugs could be a temporary crutch — especially if they have to be used for the rest of your life — they can mask the true problem and control some symptoms (while making others worse). Taking charge of our health is more empowering — there is so much we can do ourselves. It requries making a commitment to our health and moving out of the mainstream conveniences, which can be frustrating — but once you get a taste of how it feels – the frustration falls away and you feel powerful, peaceful.

I’ll write more — thanks, Maya — for a really great, thought provoking question! All of your questions are always so good!!!

With love,
Heather

This query isn’t directly related to your post, but perhaps on a more tangential level it is- with your experience of healing your mind, body and spirit through a range of methods, including by dietary means, I wondered what your opinions were regarding the use of antidepressant medication? I’ve often been told by medics that SSRI or SNRI antidepressant drugs will lift my mood and mitigate the severity of my eating disorder symptoms. Do you have any views on the interface between mainstream medical and more complementary approaches to eating disorder treatment?

Many thanks

Maya

It’s great that you are so aware of what is right for you!

With love,
Heather

This is unrelated to this post, but I read what you wrote about O blood types and working out. Very interesting. I workout everyday for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Any less is unacceptable.