Dieting is a common behaviour which may trigger eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa in predisposed subjects. We found that in healthy women moderate dieting for 3 weeks lowered plasma concentrations of the 5-HT precursor, L-tryptophan (TRP) and impaired brain 5-HT neurotransmission as judged by 5-HT neuroendocrine tests. In recovered female subjects with a history of bulimia nervosa we found that TRP depletion produced by an amino acid mixture lacking TRP caused a temporary return of depressive symptoms together with concerns about weight and shape and fear of loss of control of eating. Taken together the data suggest that dieting-induced decreases in TRP availability may trigger the development of bulimia nervosa is susceptible individuals.
CITATION STYLE
Cowen, P. J., & Smith, K. A. (2000). Serotonin, dieting, and bulimia nervosa. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (Vol. 467, pp. 101–104). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4709-9_14
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