Alcoholism 185
use glutamic acid to manufacture energy because it reduces excess
ammonia, a toxic compound (from the breakdown of amino acids) that
probably destroys glucose before it has a chance to enter the brain cells
and be oxidized. In Nutrition Against Disease, Roger Williams writes
about several alcoholic individuals in which L-glutamine eliminated the
craving for alcohol.^3
The healing effects of both niacin and L-glutamine, obtained by the
neutralization and elimination of acid waste and alien chemicals, serve
as a reminder that toxicity—which is almost overwhelmingly acidic in
nature—is the fundamental cause of alcoholism. But the addiction for
alcohol manifests itself only if there is an adrenal weakness that causes
wild swings in blood sugar and/or an enzyme defi ciency that prevents
the liver from breaking down the toxic by-products of alcohol. In many
cases, however, these weaknesses cause alcohol addiction only when the
diet is not compatible with the metabolism. An inappropriate or junk-
food diet triggers the actions of adrenal hormones that disrupt the con-
centration and normal distribution of sugar—one of the most important
factors in metabolic function. The fi rst step, then, in a program
designed to overcome alcoholism is for the individual to take the niacin
self-test to fi nd out whether to go on the meat eater’s or grain eater’s
diet.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Not only does putting the body on emergency alert (adrenal overstimu-
lation) create anxiety and tension that drives some people to alcoholism,
but it also starts a cycle of reactions that ultimately destroy the liver.
The liver, responding to the alert from the adrenals to raise blood sugar
levels, takes an excessive amount of glucose out of storage and releases
it into the bloodstream. Because there is really no need for this sudden
rise in blood sugar, an increase in insulin produced by the beta cells in
the pancreas drastically lowers blood sugar levels, causing hypoglyce-
mia (low blood sugar). Low blood sugar means sluggish energy produc-
tion, which interferes with liver function. It can also cause fatigue and
depression, symptoms that, like anxiety, increase the craving for alco-
hol. As long as the individual continues drinking and acid levels in the