Date: Sun Aug 11, 2002 3:06 pm

Subject: Re: [benzo] Benzo Belly

Hi xxx,

I think the best diet is one that people know they can remain

dedicated to indefinitely. I do the low carb diet every spring to shed

excess body fat. It certainly does take it's toll on energy levels and even

psychological performance. Not that I'm exactly brilliant when I do eat

carbs! LOL!

For the most part the initial weight loss is mostly water. The body

binds two parts water for every one part of stored carbs. As the carbs are

depleted from the body, so is the retained water. The other principle this

diet works on is to force the body to burn fat instead of glycogen.

Exercising in the morning before eating lessens physical abilities in

people, but it also makes the body convert to using fat for fuel do to the

lack of stored carbohydrates from a previous meal. It's a dandy way to look

better very quickly, but often it's necessary to lose an extra 5 pounds than

the target weight do to the return of water retention after you begin eating

normally again.

The idea of Cortisol storing fat around the midsection is well

documented. Increased stress of any kind can create increased Cortisol

levels in the body and additional fat stores. The danger is that this fat is

not only stored closer to the heart, but it is thought to be stored "under"

the abdominal muscles instead of between the muscles and the skin.

Benzo belly is very real, and people often do find themselves

gaining weight during withdrawals. This is especially true in the later

parts of their recovery. However, the distended stomach can also occur even

without access fat being stores. The increased tension in the stomach

muscles can cause even the leanest people to appear bloated. I noticed this

myself more so after each meal. During the first few weeks of withdrawals I

had a body fat content of about 5%, and my belly looked like it was going to

burst at times. Now it just looks that way if I don't lay off the

cheesecake!

Take care,

Pete