Eating Disorder Treatment: A Functional Medicine Approach: Episode Rerun

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 Blood testing Alkaline phosphatase enzyme test White blood cell count Hair mineral analysis test Kryptopyrrole testing Vitamin B12 level test Vitamin D level test Organic acid test Plasma amino acids test 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: Dr. James Greenblatt’s Website Dr. James Greenblatt on LinkedIn Dr. James Greenblatt on Facebook Dr. James Greenblatt on Instagram Dr. James Greenblatt on X Dr. James Greenblatt’s Books Dr. James Greenblatt’s Articles Psychiatry Redefined Website Walden Behavioral Care Website Tufts University School of Medicine Website Rupa Health Details: Rupa Health's Website Rupa Health on LinkedIn Rupa Health on Instagram Rupa Health on Tik Tok Rupa Health on YouTube Rupa Health Reference Guide Rupa Health Magazine Dr. Kate Kresge ’s Website Dr. Kate Kresge on LinkedIn Dr. Kate Kresge on Podcast Dr. Kate Kresge on Instagram Dr. Kate Kresge on Twitter Dr. Kate Kresge on Youtube 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: https://www.rupahealth.com/post/complementary-and-integrative-medicine-approaches-to-eating-disorders https://www.rupahealth.com/post/top-labs-to-run-bi-annually-on-your-patients-who-suffer-from-binge-eating-disorder