Hello All,
I’m not sure if this has been discussed already, but I thought it might be worth sharing and exploring the correlation between hypoglycemia and alcoholism. When my husband did his first detox he used the formula from the Seven Weeks Sobriety book. This book was instrumental in helping my husband achieve initial periods of sobriety and definitely helped him become much healthier. It was from this book that we first read about hypoglycemia and the many alcoholics (80-90%?) who seem to have it. He definitely exhibits the signs and symptoms. He was on the formula that helps control/stabilize blood sugar levels on and off for many years, but for the last couple of years he really has not followed it too closely. (The formula can be found Joan Mathews Larson’s other book: Depression Free Naturally which also provides healthy diet tips-eating few refined carbs, avoiding caffeine and eating snacks between meals). We have thought it a good idea to resume the formula with TSM since he is consuming large amounts of alcohol which will most definitely cause spikes and dips in his blood sugar levels and this in turn causes increased cravings for sweets and alcohol, plus a whole host of other undesirable responses. The supplements used are: Glutamine 1,000 mg 2x daily-- 30 minutes prior to lunch and dinner –empty stomach (letting the powder dissolve under the tongue is a quicker way to reap the benefits)/Chromium picolinate 200 mcg 1-2 capsules at breakfast/Magnesium 400 mg 2x daily; breakfast and dinner/Pantothenic acid 500 mg 2x daily;breakfast and dinner/Vitamin C 1000-1500 mg at breakfast and same dose at dinner/Niacin or niacinamide 500 mg 2x daily; breakfast and dinner. Please note high doses of niacin may affect damaged livers so a lab test may be in order. I am hoping with using the formula along with TSM my husband may find reduced cravings as his blood sugar is stabilized. Anyway I just thought that this could be a helpful tool along with TSM.

Hi Vegas, and thanks for mentioning this book.

I have been trying to find information about it without actually reading the book. I think there is definitely a connection between our emotional health and what we eat, and chronic alcohol abuse probably does modify our brain chemistry to some extent, and alcohol abuse is known to lower blood sugar levels, but, can diet and supplements rectify disordered brain chemistry? or does the rectification come from abstinence/reduced drinking? or a combination of both?

I haven't found any scientific studies that corroborate Larson's claims, but that doesn't mean she's wrong or at least partly right. Eating the right food does help stabilise blood sugar levels, as does reducing or illuminating alcohol intake, and stable blood sugar diminishes cravings, that has been proved without a doubt, but to suggest that food and supplements can repair or regulate biochemical irregularities such as can be found in depression or schizophrenia or ADHD.... ? I need more convincing...

I'd be very interested to hear more about the treatment and your husband's experience. And I'm going to get the book, I'm curious now

If you suspect that your husband has hypoglycaemia, I'd strongly urge him to see a doctor about it, it can be very easily checked by using a Glucose Meter. Hypoglycaemia is a serious medical condition if left untreated, but it is easily treatable.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Curi

Hi Curi,
I do recommend the books; they are loaded with some great information. There are lots of studies cited and good explanations of how the biochemistry works. There is an explanation on how prescription antidepressants work with the 2 major neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. The drugs are based on firing one or both of these neurotransmitters into the brain. They block the uptake of the neurotransmitters, so they trap what little serotonin/norephinephrine you have and recycle it over and over. In contrast there are certain amino acids you can take that will reload your neurotransmitters so that their firing mechanism has a continuous full load to deliver to the brain. It was over 13 years ago that I found out about the book and the first day my husband used the formula she outlined for detoxing brought a big transformation in him. At that time he had been drinking for many years and especially heavily the last year and had been eating poorly, etc. In the months that followed his health and mood improved. It was the first time in a number of years that he was able to be sober for an extended period of time. However he eventually did start to drink and thus began the “routine” of periods of drinking and then periods of sobriety. I don’t know what kind of success rate her method has,; it was not the solution we had hoped for regarding sobriety, but I do feel the information is of value for everybody.
Thanks for the note regarding hypoglycemia. He pretty much treats it with diet (especially making sure to always have snacks on hand) and does really well, but the glucose meter is a great idea, that we hadn’t considered.

It's a really interesting link. I used to drink lots and lots of coffee; eat lots of white starchy food (Pasta, Chips etc.); and my alcohol cravings were extremely high. I think I also drank to relax and take the 'edge' off all the coffee.

Now I am eating a high-protein diet and have cut out caffeine entirely - and my alcohol cravings have gone. Completely. I have been sober for 16-weeks. I have also lost 20lbs.

Then a few days ago, I had some strong coffee as I had a 4-hour drive... and when I finished the drive, all I could think about was drinking vodka / whiskey / beer or anything else.... I resisted, but Caffeine 100% increases my cravings for alcohol.
There is some interesting science behind this I agree (we are all 'arm-chair experts)!

Excerpt taken from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=fightdz&dbid=13

"Studies have shown that greatly reducing intake of sugars and caffeine can directly lower alcohol cravings. In the case of sugars, this would mean avoidance of processed desserts and treats with greater than about 10 grams of sugar per serving; avoidance of sodas; avoidance of dried fruits and fruit juices except in limited amounts (like a 4 ounce glass of juice or a few tablespoons of raisins on cereal); and of course, very little use of table sugar. In the case of caffeine, the benefits would come from elimination of caffeinated sodas; elimination of coffee or tea, unless decaffeinated; and elimination of chocolate, except in fairly small amounts (like 3-4 small chocolate squares). Both simple sugars and caffeine can have an impact on your blood sugar regulation, and this connection with blood sugar is interesting, because there has been some evidence in the research that stabilizing blood sugar can help reduce alcohol (sugar) SS cravings. In summary, although it can be difficult to steer clear of these two substances, the research suggests that it's worth it in terms of alcohol craving.