By Dr George Samra, MB, BS (Sydney), FACNEM

An extract from Dr George Samra (2002),THE HYPOGLYCEMIC CONNECTION II, One Stop Allergies, Sydney. Australia Page 251. This book can be obtained here.

Glycerin is a trihydric alcohol CH2OH-CHOH-CH2Oh. It is a clear colourless syrupy liquid with a sweet taste. It is soluble in water and alcohol, but insoluble in oils.

When given orally, glycerin is readily absorbed. It may be employed as a sweetening agent or vehicle in place of syrups. It may be used in diabetes and in Hypoglycemia Disease as a sweetener because it’s absorption and metabolism bypass the pancreas and insulin secretion. (Image) In this way it is able to act as a useful energy source in these diseases.

Glycerin is commonly used as a base for topical preparations often with other drugs added. It may be given as a rectal suppository to promote bowel evacuation.

Glycerin absorbs water and therefore in high concentration it is somewhat dehydrating and irritating to exposed tissue. For this reason, used topically, concentrated solutions are slowly bactericidal. Glycerine can be incorporated in the diets of rats to the extent of 35 per cent of the total calories without exerting noxious actions. No systematic actions follow copious applications to the skin. However, glycerine can exert toxic effects given by injection (approximately 10 mg per kilogram) - there may be renal or hepatic toxicity.

Glycerine should be taken in diluted form, such as in herbal teas, with or dilute lemon or even just with water – about 150 or 200 mL of Glycerine. I usually recommend three 10mL doses per day with the first three meals, and extra doses about 20 minutes before sport or study up to a maximum of 50mL each day, always in a drink.