London, Jan 11: The secret to Nicolas Sarkozy's boundless energy has been unlocked - all thanks to a French author who claims that the "hyper-président" secretly consults a specialist in alternative medicine.

In his new book, Patrice Machuret, a political journalist and author of a book on Sarkozy published last week, the alternative medicine specialist massages French President's back and sends him "positive energy waves".

Sarkozy's tirelessness has long been a subject of speculation. In political circles he is regularly accused of being "on something", with theories ranging from amphetamines to cocaine, reports Times Online.

In reality, however, he is addicted only to chocolate and the secret of his dynamism is not drugs but a longhaired "etiopath" called Jean-Paul Moureau, according to Machuret.

"Moureau the guru", as patients call him, has been treating Sarkozy for 15 years with his special technique of "manual therapy".

According to the author, the two have developed a close relationship and

Moureau has become a sort of unofficial adviser.

Since Sarkozy's election as president in May 2007, he, who used to turn up at Moureau's practice in the chic 16th arrondissement, has arranged for visits in the Elysée Palace at least once a week. (ANI)