Expert: Nafeesah - 9/2/2008

Question
I have heard that bingeing and purging really doesn't help you loose weigh. Can you actually gain weight? Does our body hold on to any bit of food we have in our body?

Answer
Bulimics who excessively binge and purge may lose weight, but it only causes them to regain the weight even faster. Purging through vomiting and laxative use can cause your body to be thrown off balance and can cause hormone and chemical imbalances some can be serious. The vomiting can also deplete your body of nutrients needed for function and health. This is why many bulimics have problems getting their periods and depending on the severity they can also have cardiovascular problems because of the lack of potassium that is needed for necessary heart health. Your body can also go into full organ failure from the lack of nutrients and the damage that bulimia can do to the body over time.