Research: Anorexia is not just a mental illness, but also physical Now

The disorder of anorexia nervosa originates not only from the mind, but also from the body, concludes an international study. This inclines the dominant picture of the disease and may offer new treatment cues.

For the study published in Nature Genetics the complete DNA of 16,992 people with anorexia and 55,525 people became the

The King & # 39; s College in London and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the United States discovered that people with the disease had mutations in their DNA that were causing changes in digestion, particularly with as regards their blood sugar level and their fat mass.

Although the precise nature of these mutations has not yet been fully determined, scientists believe that they allow patients with anorexia to go off more easily and for longer. This implies that the disease is a metabolic-psychiatric disorder.

With weight loss, most people receive signals from their body that stimulate appetite. "They are very important in determining the desired value of weight," said King's researcher Janet Treasure, against the BBC . "It's possible that people suffering from anorexia nervosa losing weight do not have as strong an impulse to return to this desired value."

The researchers believe that their discovery finally clarifies the question of the type of anorexia nervosa. is. The fact that the disease combines various mental and physical causes can persuade patients to seek treatment, as there are still many biases about mental health.

Anorexia causes a serious disruption of the body image

severely disrupted the image of their own body, which can make them gritty even if their weight is dangerously insufficient. This can lead to attempts to lose as much weight as possible. In the long run, anorexia can affect muscles, bones, heart and fertility. The disease is fatal for at least 5% of patients, but patients can also be treated and cured.

In addition to the mutations in the DNA of test subjects that may be associated with anorexia, the researchers also discovered mutations in individuals with other psychiatric disorders, such as disorders compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.