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About Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist
Expertise
I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Experience
Nutritional Psychotherapist

Organizations
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia

Publications
Book: "Getting Off the Hook"freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
Editor: Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Education/Credentials
BA(Psych), Sydney University, Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Substance Abuse > Addiction to Alcohol > Beer belly

Addiction to Alcohol - Beer belly

Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist - 10/30/2009

Question
Hi
I am worried about my husband.
He used to be a heavy drinker, getting pissed at least once a week.
Now its once a month when he has a binge-drinks enough to get drunk and pass out (thankfully he only does this at home now) and at least one more monthly episode of more than six drinks at one session.
He is slowly improving and is not abusive or anything, but I am worried about his health especially his big belly.
He isnt 'chubby' fat but has a big belly that is hard and sticks out like he's pregnant.
He actually eats pretty healthy and doesnt over eat, and gets a lot of exercise.That is part of the problem as he goes to the bar and drinks after a ball or soccer game with his buddies.
BUT, he drinks a lot with his buddies.Mostly beer, but some liquor.
Is this what is causing the belly? He complains about it because he does eat healthy and not much and exercises lots.Is his liver or pancreas or something bloated?
If he quit drinking or cut way back would it help? He thinks he just has to find the right diet or do more crunches, but if he hears it from an expert maybe he will listen.
Thanks!

Answer
HI Vanessa,

Beer has a reputation of putting on a big belly. Besides if you have a drinking problem you are likely to be overweight as alcoholism and putting on weight have a common factor; namely insulin resistance. Alcoholics tend to have hypoglycemia caused by insulin resistance and to understand this I suggest you read the following articles;

What is Hypoglycemia at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/what_is_hypo.html

The Serotonin Connection at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/serotonin_connection.html

Why Alcoholics Drink? at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/WAD.html

Alcoholism (Addiction) is a Treatable Disease at:
http://curezone.com/upload/PDF/Articles/jurplesman/alcoholism_treatable.pdf

The first step in treatment is going on a hypoglycemic diet.
Also search our web site for "depression obesity".
_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman

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