Hi! I already posted this in the General Health Issues section and then realized this is a more specific section so I just did a copy/paste and am repeating my question:

I have a time proven problem with carbs and cravings and on the Hellers test I read as an extreme carb addict... I have had this kind of problem for years. So last year I followed the Atkins book advice and took a series of blood tests (the one where you drink glucose and have 8 blood samples taken over 4 hours) but happily the results proved my reaction to sugar normal ...

I don't IMAGINE my problem with carbs: it's really a big thing but was simply wondering about the reason for this if my insulin levels seem normal ... anyone know?

Thanks a lot
Liv

A glucose tolerance test won't show "cravings potential". It can show whether or not hypoglycemia due to excess insulin production is a problem though .. For some people, the plunging blood glucose of a hypoglycemic episode can be a trigger to eat more carbs. I'm glad for you that the test results were normal, but sorry you had to go through the unpleasantness

While there's definitely an emotional cause/effect relationship with carbs happening, the Hellers believe that it's biologically mediated. There are many hormones and neurochemicals involved in carb craving/addiction, not just insulin/sugar. There's an article on our Tips page that gives a brief overview of the biology behind cravings .. click on Low Carb Tips from the orange menu bar near the top of the page, and read Cravings.

Of course, there's a more complete explanation in the Carb Addicts' program book, but they've posted the main points of the definition of carb addiction here.

Doreen

Thanks Doreen!

That was very helpful... and yes the experience was horrible, I felt like I'd been stygmatised (low carb martyrdom?) with all those holes in my arms!! Not to mention the horrible fake lemon taste and not being able to drink even a sip of water! Yuck!!

I was a bit worried before because my shakes and sweat attacks can get pretty ferocious and I even collapsed a few times when I couldn't get to sugar fast enough, but it didn't always happen every time .. anyway, whether I lose fat or not this is my WOE for life because I'm free and independent and can work a whole day and go out in the evening and feel good with "only" 7 hours sleep. No mood swings, no crying with no reason, no PMS all month, no brain fog, no colitis and no constant candida!! I never believed it could work but it does ... and on CAD (whether it'll work or not as a diet diet) I can have the things I like and still feel real good!

I am very grateful to this forum and all the very kind people here because I would never have found out about low carbing without you about 2 years ago (is that possible?)... (I was gone but I'm back for a little more help!). And you have often give me a push in the right direction Doreen. I was here under another name (I really don't remember it anymore).

Anyway thanks again to you all. You're all priceless!!!

Liv