Hypoglycemia

Many compulsive overeaters are trapped in a demanding cycle of binge eating that is precipitated by the physical condition of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. They may try for years and years, on diet after diet to get their eating "in control" while fighting a losing battle against their hypoglycemic body screaming for something to eat to stop the plunging blood sugar. This presents a huge barrier to change where other individuals without the disorder make similar changes with relative ease.

Hypoglycemia is not a disease, it is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. In hypoglycemia there are unusually large blood sugar swings and when the blood sugar drops very low it produces the classic symptoms of irritability, mood swings, fatigue, shakiness, sweating, tachycardia (heart palpitations), headaches, a general feeling of unalertness or “spaciness”, sometimes insomnia and, in severe cases, fainting.

The hypo (low) glycemia (blood sugar) is often precipitated by a high, rapid rise in blood sugar from eating "simple" carbohydrates such as sugar, fruit juice, etc. that results in an overproduction of insulin and an overresponsiveness in pulling the sugar out of the blood and into the cells. This can result in abnormally low blood sugar approximately 1/2 hour later. The precipitously low blood sugar also results in the characteristic “cravings” and consequent bingeing behaviors so common in compulsive overeaters. Many people live their lives trapped in this seemingly unresolvable cycle because they never resolve the hypoglycemia and physical drive to overeat. It is like knocking their head against the proverbial brick wall if they try to work on emotional issues and food behaviors when the body is screaming for sugar. We will always have the best results when we begin by resolving physical problems so that we can work on emotional issues and behaviors from a basis of strength which comes with good health and energy. And while hypoglycemia is not a disease, if left unresolved it can be associated with developing diabetes down the road.

To make matters worse, the “solution” that Americans have been given for their weight and overeating problem is diets—a plethora of them. However, weight-loss diets only exacerbate the hypoglycemic overeater’s problems because the calorie deficit chronically reduces blood sugar, setting her up for an even fiercer battle with her own body, often resulting in even stronger cravings and increased bingeing. In fact, weight-loss diets—especially very low-calorie diets—reduce even normal blood sugars in people without hypoglycemia to below normal levels subjecting even more people to marginal hypoglycemia. When attempting to overcome compulsive overeating it is always best to resolve (or prevent from happening) hypoglycemia and come from a place of physical health and strength to work on the harder (more painful) emotional and spiritual issues that may be causing the overeating.

There are several actions which an individual can take to minimize or eliminate the symptoms of hypoglycemia:

♥ Avoid simple carbohydrates (sugars, refined carbohydrates) and emphasize complex carbohydrates (whole grains, unrefined cereals, rice, pasta, beans, vegees) in the diet.

♥ Eat whole fruit and eat fruit in combination with other foods. Fruit is a simple sugar (though better than a candy bar because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals!). Eating fruit (with skin and fiber) is preferred to drinking juice because the extra fiber helps to modify the rapid rise in blood sugar. Also, the complex carbohydrate, fiber, protein and fat components of other foods slows the absorption of simple carbohydrates, resulting in a less rapid rise in blood sugar.

♥ Minimize or avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both can aggravate the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

♥ Moderate, consistent exercise is an extremely good defense against symptoms of hypoglycemia if you are eating enough calories and the diet is in balance. If the diet is too low calorie or not in balance exercise can exacerbate the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

♥ Never go on a weight-loss diet which is less than 1200 calories (preferably not lower than 1500 calories for women, 1700 calories for men).

♥ A moderate increase in protein (20% calories from protein instead of the normal 10-15% which is physiologically adequate in healthy individuals) and spreading protein out very evenly throughout the day (for example, at least one ounce of protein with each feeding) is particularly helpful to hypoglycemics. If you experience any symptoms (listed above) you will feel better if you eat some protein.

For more help for compulsive overeating check out the N.E.W. LIFE books:

N.E.W. LIFE Books