Podcast Episodes
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Episode #
287
Hosted by
Dr. Carrie Jones
Dr. Kate Kresge
May 29, 2025
 ・ 
52
 mins

Eating Disorder Treatment: A Functional Medicine Approach

Transcription
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In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. James Greenblatt—psychiatrist, educator, and author—shares his personalized, functional medicine approach to supporting individuals with eating disorders.

Drawing from over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Greenblatt explains how nutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, and genetic individuality play a major role in mental health conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. He also discusses the importance of lab testing and how personalized supplementation and nutrition strategies can be used alongside therapy and medication.

You’ll learn:

  • Why micronutrient testing is important in eating disorder care
  • How deficiencies in zinc, omega-3s, and B vitamins may impact brain function
  • What role genetics, celiac disease, and gut health might play
  • How to use testing to guide individualized support plans
  • Why the “nutrition by addition” approach can be a game-changer for recovery

This episode offers a compassionate, science-backed perspective for clinicians, families, and anyone interested in integrative mental health care.

Order tests through Rupa Health, the BEST place to order functional medicine lab tests from 30+ labs - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide

Labs Mentioned

Timestamps

03:43 - Addressing Malnutrition in Eating Disorder Treatment
04:40 - The different types of eating disorders
07:03 - Zinc deficiency: symptoms, testing, and supplements
15:54 - How omega-3 deficiency could impact eating disorders and body dysmorphia
19:09 - Brain differences and adaptive responses in eating disorders
22:52 - Dietary changes, genetic vulnerability, and eating disorders
26:53 - The role of B vitamins in eating disorder treatment
30:31 - Celiac disease and its link to eating disorders
34:33 - Treating binge eating disorder
37:47 - The importance of amino acids in nutrition and mental health
38:36 - An innovative medical model in eating disorder treatment
39:58 - Training clinicians in functional approaches for mental health
41:13 - Dr. Greenblatt's journey, practice, and books
47:06 - Lithium as a nutrient versus prescription medication

Show Notes: (Goes into bCast shownotes)

Guest Details:

Rupa Health Details:

Keywords: (Goes into bCast)
  • Dr. James Greenblatt
  • Psychiatry Redefined
  • Eating disorders
  • Malnutrition
  • Eating disorder treatment
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Celiac disease
  • Anorexia nervosa treatment
  • Nutrition and medications in treating eating disorders
  • Brain health

Blog Keywords:

Rupa's blogs mentioning Eating Disorders:


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