Orthorexia nervosa turns healthy habits into a harmful obsession

Internal medicine physician Sally Daganzo discusses her article "The hidden epidemic of orthorexia nervosa." Sally explains how the pursuit of a perfect diet can spiral into a debilitating obsession where food rules dictate a patient's entire life. She describes how individuals often adopt restrictive protocols to manage inflammation or gut health but end up suffering from intense anxiety and social isolation instead. The conversation highlights the "shadow side" of lifestyle medicine where well-meaning advice can inadvertently trigger disordered eating in vulnerable patients. Sally challenges the medical community to look beyond normal lab results to recognize when wellness culture has become a source of suffering. Learn how to spot the subtle signs of this hidden condition and help patients prioritize flexibility over rigid control.

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