• Volatile blood sugar
• Low levels of seratonin
• Low levels of Beta-endorphin

When the glucose in the blood rises after eating carbohydrates, our body releases the hormone insulin which signals our cells to open and receive the glucose to be used as fuel. In carbohydrate sensitive people the blood sugar goes up more rapidly, extra insulin is released and blood sugar then drops more rapidly. This is different from hypoglycaemia, below normal levels of blood sugar,often the result of too little food. In sugar sensitive people the volatility, the steepness of the curve of the drops and rises, is important. When blood sugar rises, we feel great, when it drops we feel bad.

We may have too little of the neurotramsmitter serotonin or 5HT which makes if difficult for us to get up in the morning, makes us prone to depression and makes us impulsive. We cannot say "No" and our brakes don't work. We may feel we have no willpower but this is a result of low serotonin rather than a character fault.: it is biochemical. Compulsive behaviour, obsessions and circular thinking are also the result of low serotonin.

When we have low levels of beta-endorphin we have low pain tolerance, we are sensitive to others pain and we feel deeply. We often feel isolated ,inadequate and helpless. We are often tearful, have low self-esteem and feel overwhelmed. Our brains respond to drugs, foods and chemicals that evoke beta-endorphin. We get a bigger high than most people! We respond to sugar/alcohol in this way as if it was a drug. We feel cool, confident, soothed, energised and capable. When it starts to wear off, our body tells us to get more! Over time, more is needed to get the same effect.

Not all of us have problems in all three areas. Volatile blood sugar can be corrected by eating properly. Low serotonin has traditionally been treated with antidepressants but can be corrected with the right food plan. Being sugar sensitive, it may seem that losing weight is the answer to all our problems but our lack of confidence and low self-esteem is the result of unbalanced our biochemistry not because we are fat.

Changing our diet treats all three problems. We become hopeful, connected, responsible, problem-solvers. We feel clear headed, can make decisions and have the tools to stick to aweight loss plan. We have self-esteem, hope and a sense of possibility.