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 Treatment04:40 - The different types of eating disorders07:03 - Zinc deficiency: symptoms, testing, and supplements15:54 - How omega-3 deficiency could impact eating disorders and body dysmorphia19:09 - Brain differences and adaptive responses in eating disorders22:52 - Dietary changes, genetic vulnerability, and eating disorders26:53 - The role of B vitamins in eating disorder treatment30:31 - Celiac disease and its link to eating disorders34:33 - Treating binge eating disorder37:47 - The importance of amino acids in nutrition and mental health38:36 - An innovative medical model in eating disorder treatment39:58 - Training clinicians in functional approaches for mental health41:13 - Dr. Greenblatt's journey, practice, and books47:06 - 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