Hanoi – A few months after adopting a raw vegan diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and juices, Lan Anh, 30, became emaciated and was diagnosed with "clean eating obsession."
When Lan Anh visited Mai Huong Day Psychiatric Hospital in early August, she explained that for the past six months, she had only eaten vegetables, fruits, and drunk juices, completely cutting out meat, fish, eggs, dairy, starches, and even plain water. This is considered a vegan diet, believed to help the body detoxify, heal, prevent diseases, and reverse aging.
Having become accustomed to this diet, the woman felt fear upon seeing meat or fish, believing that similar foods were "treated with chemicals or contained excessive antibiotics," causing her to become ill. Lan Anh rarely ate with her family, used excuses to decline company parties, and almost never went out with friends because she didn't want to explain her diet.
Three weeks after starting the treatment, she experienced rapid weight loss, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating, but she told herself, "My body is detoxifying to regenerate new energy." She also experienced a two-month delay in her period, thinking, "This is a sign of good health, because my body has fewer toxins and doesn't need to eliminate them through menstruation."
After six months of following a raw food diet, she lost nearly 20 kg, weighing 42 kg with a height of 1.62 meters. Family and friends advised against it because her body appeared noticeably thin and weak. However, the woman still believed this was a healthy way to eat, gaining confidence from the encouragement of her fellow dieters. When she experienced severe loss of appetite and insomnia, Lan Anh was taken by her family to Mai Huong Day Psychiatric Hospital for examination.
An obsession with eating clean can become a psychological problem. Photo: Total Health
Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu, Deputy Director, stated that through examination and testing, it was determined that the patient suffered from "healthy eating disorder," also known as orthorexia , in addition to wasting. This syndrome was first mentioned in 1996 by American doctor Steven Bratman, referring to an extreme obsession with healthy foods. People with orthorexia often focus on food quality, only eating what they consider pure, healthy, and free from harmful substances. Over time, this habit develops into an extreme disorder, a psychological obsession, and sometimes a physical danger.
Another case is Uyen, 22 years old, from Nghe An , 1.6 meters tall, who had acne problems and searched online for ways to reduce acne. Initially, she eliminated dairy from her diet, then moved on to sugary and fatty foods, and red meat. Gradually, Uyen became a vegetarian, eating 50% raw food, mainly green vegetables and fruits.
"I'm obsessed with and have put animal products like meat, fish, and eggs on my 'forbidden list.' If I accidentally eat them, I'll induce vomiting to avoid harming my body," Uyen said.
The woman lost 10 kg, from 54 kg to 44 kg in two months, experiencing fatigue, occasional dizziness, and even fainting spells. Her family took her to a nutrition center for counseling, where doctors diagnosed her with an eating disorder, specifically anorexia nervosa. However, the woman continued her diet believing it would help cleanse her body. Her current weight is 37 kg, and she has experienced amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) for six months, hair loss, and low blood pressure.
According to Ms. Thu, orthorexia is related to eating disorders, typically including binge eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, or malabsorption disorder. Biological, neurological, and genetic factors also contribute to the pathogenesis, including personality traits (e.g., perfectionists), working in environments with high demands on physique and weight, experiencing psychological trauma, having a history of weight obsession, or other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders.
"When the body is in a state of starvation, the brain doesn't function properly, causing cognitive decline," the expert said, adding that this will affect social relationships, leading to decreased communication skills and a loss of self-confidence. It can also be a trigger for dangerous mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, patients will face numerous health risks if they continue with unhealthy exercise and eating habits.
"It can become a health hazard, even fatal," said Doctor Thu.
Experts consider orthorexia to be an undefined disorder. Although recognized by the National Eating Disorders Association of America, orthorexia is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which psychiatrists commonly use to diagnose patients. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the prevalence of this disorder.
Some studies conclude the problem affects less than 1% of the US population, while others suggest the condition is more common in teenagers who use social media. Orthorexia also frequently develops in college students, professional athletes, and vegans.
Nutrition experts believe that a diverse diet is key to healthy eating, recommending a balanced intake of the three energy-producing nutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—and regular meals. If underlying psychological issues are detected in extreme dieting, a specialist should be consulted for timely treatment to avoid life-threatening complications.
Thuy Quynh - Nhu Ngoc
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