in when it is excessive, hypoglycemia results.
There are many possible causes of hypoglycemia; the causes are almost as varied as the sufferers. In addition to an excess of refined sugar in the diet, pancreatic overactivity, and adrenal underactivity, hypoglycemia can be caused by imbalances in the secretion of hormones by the other endocrine glands, in particular the pituitary and thyroid glands; allergies; excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and caffeinated drinks; habitual overeating, especially of carbohydrates and animal proteins; and severe emotional stresses (Airola, 1977, p. 29).
Organic hypoglycemia describes the minority of situations in which one of the organs is physically retarded or prevented from functioning properly. Tumors of the pancreas, near the islets of Langerhans; a defective liver; a diseased or malfunctioning pituitary or adrenal glands; or an overall increase of the insulin-producing area of the pancreas are all possible organic causes of hypoglycemia (Airola, 1977, p. 30).
The majority of hypoglycemia cases, perhaps as much as 99%, are classed as functional. Functional hypoglycemia is caused by an overactive pancreas in which "diagnosable pathological dev
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