The Effects Under-Eating Has On The Brain
- Jul 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Meet Kat Berglas, a courageous survivor of anorexia nervosa turned entrepreneur, founding Kat Berglas Wellness KBW —a sanctuary dedicated to holistic health, nutrition, and the art of finding balance in every aspect of life.
Under-eating, often synonymous with malnutrition, has profound effects on the human brain. The brain, an organ that consumes about 20% of the body’s energy, it is very sensitive to nutritional deficits. I had first-hand experience in this, with my self-starvation during my anorexia nervosa, it was severely impacting me in many ways, but especially my brain health.
One of the most immediate and noticeable effects of my under-eating was cognitive impairment. When you begin to under-eat, your brain is the first organ to panic. The brain requires a constant supple of glucose, its primary energy source, to function optimally. As I starved myself more and more, glucose levels in my body plummeted, and my brain was really struggling to perform even the smallest of tasks. Concentration was becoming increasingly difficult, my thoughts were scattered, and maintaining focus especially in school was nearly impossible, all I could think about was food and when I would eat. My academic performance deteriorated rapidly, ultimately forcing me to drop out of school. The inability of my brain to function properly due to the lack of food was both alarming and debilitating.
The emotional and psychological toll of under-eating was equally severe. The brain relies on a delicate balance of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation. These neurotransmitters are derived from nutrients found in food, and a lack of these essential nutrients lead to significant imbalances. I myself, experienced constant irritability, severe mood swings, and a pervasive sense of anxiety and depression. This psychological impact of hunger started to deteriorate my emotional and mental health significantly.
Under eating doesn’t just affect the immediate brain health but also has long-term affects. Prolonged under-eating can lead to structural changes in the brain, including reduced brain volume and the loss of white and grey matter. The grey matter is the place where the processing of sensation, perception, learning, speech and cognition takes place. Whereas the white matter’s role is to provide communication between different grey matter areas and the rest of your body. These changes in the brain impair brain function and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers’s and Parkinson’s. Additionally, chronic undernutrition during critical periods of brain development, such as childhood and adolescence, can lead to permanent cognitive deficits and developmental delays. Many studies have shown, that children who suffer from malnutrition exhibit significant reductions in IQ and other measures of cognitive ability.
Under-eating also disrupts metabolic and hormonal processes that are crucial for brain function. The hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates hunger and energy balance, can become dysregulated due to insufficient food intake. This dysregulation can lead to further issues with appetite control and energy homeostasis, perpetuating the cycle of undernutrition. Additionally, under-eating can impair the production of essential hormones, such as insulin and cortisol, which play a critical role in brain function. Hormonal imbalances can further exacerbate cognitive and emotional issues, creating a complex web of interrelated problems.
In conclusion under-eating has a multifaceted and profound impact on the brain. From immediate cognitive impairments and emotional instability to long-term structural changes, the effects of under-eating and inadequate nutrition are both severe and far-reaching. Addressing under-eating and ensuring adequate nutritional intake is crucial for painting optimal brain function and overall mental health. Society must recognise the importance of proper nutrition not just for physical health, but for cognitive and emotional well-being.
Read more from Kat Berglas
Kat Berglas, Certified Nutritional Health Coach
Kat Berglas's life story is one of remarkable resilience and unwavering determination. Surviving a harrowing battle with anorexia nervosa, a condition that brought her heart to the brink of stopping, she made a courageous decision to reclaim her life. Fueled by her own experiences, she founded her own nutrition business, Kat Berglas Wellness KBW, with a mission to support individuals wrestling with disordered eating and those simply seeking a path to holistic health and balance.
