Alcoholism is a physical disease in the literal sense of the word. An alcoholic craves alcohol, because it is a source of biological energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that is essential in the production of feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

It means that an alcoholic has problems obtaining the biological energy from normal food sources and especially from carbohydrates in our diet.

This is mainly due to Insulin Resistance - most often pre-diabetic - that stops the conversion of sugars in the diet into ATP. Hence without ATP he becomes depressed. He cannot produce serotonin. The brain is entirely dependent on glucose as its source of energy. Although only two percent of the body by weight, it requires about 70 percent of available glucose in the blood to feed the brain with energy. When there is an energy starvation in the brain - as in a hypoglycemic dip - the brain sends a hormonal message to the adrenal glands to pour adrenaline into the system. Adrenaline converts Sugar stores in the body (glycogen) into glucose so as to feed the brain again. This is why an alcoholic without his alcohol, starts to experience the shakes and anxiety attacks, sleeplessness, irritability even anger, because his system is flooded with the hormone adrenaline. HE MUST HAVE HIS ALCOHOL.

Most alcoholics (about 95%) have been found to be hypoglycemic according to a special medical test described at our web site at:

The four hour medical Test for Hypoglycemia explained at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/testing_hypoglycemia.html

The first step in treatment is withdrawing from alcohol under the supervision of a doctor and adopt the hypoglycemic diet.

Please see:

Why Alcoholics Drink? at

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypos_prefer_alcohol.html

Drug Addition is a Nutritional Disorder at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/drug_addictions_nutritional_disorder....

“Alcoholism (Addiction) is a Treatable Disease” at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/alcoholism_treatable.html


_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.

Launch in external player or download.

Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search