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. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended