A pill against Eating Behavior Disorders
Eating disorders are most often treated with therapies , with more or less effective results. We know that these disorders are dangerous for health, whether it is anorexia or even bulimia ( see the interviews section on this subject ).
Some are also treated with antibiotics . However, drugs used for totally different pathologies could have a (very) positive effect on eating disorders.
This was discovered by a team of researchers from the Linder Center of HOPE in Ohio in the USA. They looked more specifically at one drug, Vyvanse. This treatment is mainly used in attention disorders and hyperactivity. The results of this study were published in the Formerly Archives of General Psychiatry (1) .
Presentation of the study
The study was conducted over a period of 14 weeks, on 514 patients with eating disorders, in particular binge eating (to be differentiated from bulimia). The patients were between 18 and 55 years old.
It seems that Vyvanse is positive in the treatment of these pathologies. Indeed, at different amounts of the drugs, the patients reduced their compulsions by 42 to 50%.
The leader of the study, Doctor McElroy, indicates that ” This study makes it possible to show that the adults who suffer from TCA (Eating Behavior Disorders) and who are treated with this drug significantly reduce their urges compared to those who receive a placebo. Which would therefore be a great advance in the treatment of eating disorders.
Vocabulary
Binge eating is characterized by episodes of binge eating accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame. However, these episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors (such as excessive exercise to manage weight and caloric intake), which distinguishes this disorder from bulimia. 30% to 50% of obese people, or about 10% of the general population, suffer from binge eating (2) .
It is quite obvious that this study requires a deepening in the results, and of course other additional studies. Eating disorders affect both men and women, adults, adolescents, the elderly, these disorders affect all segments of the population. Very often causing obesity, it would therefore be a big step in the treatment, but also in the prevention of this disease .
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.