New Study On Anorexia Proposes Connection to Taste Buds
A new study was unveiled today by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and The University of California-San Diego that suggests that individuals with eating disorders may process tastes differently. (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/393810/study_shows_a_possible_cause_of_anorexia.html)
Because the incidence of eating disorders is so high among females, researchers are seeking a biological explanation. "In the survey, they measured the brain activity of 32 women with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI.) There were two groups with 16 of the women having recovered from anorexia nervosa and 16 control subjects who had not had the disease. The women's brains were measured for their reaction to a pleasant taste, represented by sucrose and a neutral taste, represented by distilled water. This is the first study that shows patients with anorexia do actually process tastes in a different way...Those who had recovered from anorexia had a significant reduction in the response from the insula..."
I find this study incredibly relevant. I have often said that food doesn't taste the same to me as it seems to, to other people. More often than not if I am out eating with family or friends, it seems as if they are thoroughly enjoying their food and they speak about how it tastes. I may be eating the same thing and think just the opposite. Or, it could be tolerable, but the list of foods that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to eating is quite short. I've never understand how others can find so much joy in food. Perhaps it's me that's the problem. If this study really is correct, then it's possibly my brain doesn't process food flavors the same as everyone else. Phew! One less thing I have to feel guilty about! Maybe I really was "made" this way!
I want people to know that as brain science continues to grow, answers to some of our most troubling questions will be forthcoming. It may not be tomorrow or ten years from now, but the answers are coming.
Remember. Many centuries ago, women were told that menstrual cramps and PMS were "in their mind". Now doctors know the exact opposite is true. In fact, it is now known that men too suffer from hormonal cycles as well and can struggle with their own brand of PMS. Who knew?
In addition, women with monthly problems were often hospitalized for a "wandering uterus". How interesting.
All of the research being done now will make a tremendous difference in the lives of eating disorder patients of the future. Modern day research subjects are helping scientists to open doors that until now, have remained closed.
I find all of this very, very exciting. Will there ever be a time when eating disorders don't exist? I don't know. But we are one step closer to finding out where they come from and that's something to celebrate!
Because the incidence of eating disorders is so high among females, researchers are seeking a biological explanation. "In the survey, they measured the brain activity of 32 women with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI.) There were two groups with 16 of the women having recovered from anorexia nervosa and 16 control subjects who had not had the disease. The women's brains were measured for their reaction to a pleasant taste, represented by sucrose and a neutral taste, represented by distilled water. This is the first study that shows patients with anorexia do actually process tastes in a different way...Those who had recovered from anorexia had a significant reduction in the response from the insula..."
I find this study incredibly relevant. I have often said that food doesn't taste the same to me as it seems to, to other people. More often than not if I am out eating with family or friends, it seems as if they are thoroughly enjoying their food and they speak about how it tastes. I may be eating the same thing and think just the opposite. Or, it could be tolerable, but the list of foods that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to eating is quite short. I've never understand how others can find so much joy in food. Perhaps it's me that's the problem. If this study really is correct, then it's possibly my brain doesn't process food flavors the same as everyone else. Phew! One less thing I have to feel guilty about! Maybe I really was "made" this way!
I want people to know that as brain science continues to grow, answers to some of our most troubling questions will be forthcoming. It may not be tomorrow or ten years from now, but the answers are coming.
Remember. Many centuries ago, women were told that menstrual cramps and PMS were "in their mind". Now doctors know the exact opposite is true. In fact, it is now known that men too suffer from hormonal cycles as well and can struggle with their own brand of PMS. Who knew?
In addition, women with monthly problems were often hospitalized for a "wandering uterus". How interesting.
All of the research being done now will make a tremendous difference in the lives of eating disorder patients of the future. Modern day research subjects are helping scientists to open doors that until now, have remained closed.
I find all of this very, very exciting. Will there ever be a time when eating disorders don't exist? I don't know. But we are one step closer to finding out where they come from and that's something to celebrate!