Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex mental illness marked by etiologic contributions of genetic, psychological, and metabolic origin. With a relapse rate upwards of 50%, as well as the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, AN presents today’s clinicians with a daunting challenge.

Traditional AN treatments often ignore the unequivocal associations between biology and mental health, focusing instead on psychology as a therapeutic target. Unfortunately, these approaches also dismiss vast research proving robust associations between nutritional imbalance and brain function. For AN patients, all of whom are malnourished, such approaches are often of limited efficacy.

This lecture introduces a comprehensive, biopsychiatric model for AN in which the concept of AN as fundamentally entrenched and sustained by malnutrition will be explored. Research revealing profound associations between essential nutrient deficiencies and brain dysfunction will be reviewed, with a focus on Omega-3s and zinc, as well as potential etiologic contributions of Celiac disease.

Discussion illuminates critical treatment targets and provide an empirically validated blueprint for personalized interventions. Upon completion, attendees will be able to substantiate the clinical utility of an AN treatment paradigm that addresses psychology and nutrition, and incorporate evidence-based treatment strategies into existing models to maximize patient outcomes.