You’ve heard about the apparent miracle of HCG diet programs that succeed when other diet plans fail. You’re probably wondering what the catch is, or if indeed HCG even lives up to the hype.
In light of recent history and the nature of the marketing world, such cynicism and skepticism is understandable; however, once you understand that the HCG program is based on solid scientific and medical principles, you’ll see how simple and effective it really is. To begin however, we need to go back in time over half a century to a place on the other side of the world.
One Doctor’s Experience
In the 1950s, an endocrinologist from Great Britain name A.T. Simeons was conducting research on patients in that country’s former colony of India. He was studying two groups of patients:
expectant mothers suffering from malnutrition
males suffering from obesity due to pituitary gland dysfunction
More specifically, Dr. Simeons was interested in how a mother’s food deprivation affected the fetus. He found that the hormone known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) produced during pregnancy played a role in protecting the health of the fetus during gestation.
During the same period, he found that administering small doses of HCG to obese patients caused their bodies to consume the energy stored in fat cells, resulting in weight loss. Eventually, Dr. Simeons concluded that doses of HCG combined with a low-fat, high-protein diet was the key to effective weight loss.
The Biochemical Mechanism
Hormones are biochemical substances excreted by our endocrine glands and are responsible for regulating many physiological processes in the body.
At the base of our brains is a small, nut-sized gland known as the hypothalamus. This gland regulates our overall metabolism, which is how our body uses energy in food. Under normal conditions, when our bodies are deprived of food the hypothalamus responds by slowing down our metabolism in to conserve resources, i.e., fat stores. This is why most traditional diets fail.
HCG works with the hypothalamus in such a way that when caloric intake is cut to a bare minimum, our bodies are forced to make up the difference by consuming fat stores. Since most of us require between 1,500 and 2,000 calories a day and HCG diet programs call for no more than 500, your body will have to burn up to a 1,000 calories a day in to maintain normal metabolism.
Doesn’t One Get Hungry?
There is likely to be some feelings of hunger during the first day or two of following HCG diet programs, but because your body will be making up the calorie deficit from your fat cells, this discomfort passes quickly. Many people continue these eating patterns even after the diet is over, simply because they feel better.
In to find more information on HCG diet programs, including sample recipes, testimonials and sources for HCG, go to http://www.hcgdietdirect.com/
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
When Dr. Simeons first discovered the process the HCG hormone undergoes to regulate the body’s metabolism, he developed injections as an regimen. At the time, that was the only option for people who needed to restore their HCG reserves. Over time, however, another HCG treatment option has come to light: oral HCG drops. This homeopathic remedy offers the same benefits as injectable HCG, but which method will work best for you?
Are you afraid of needles? If you are afraid of needles and don’t like the thought of injecting yourself several times a day, homeopathic HCG drops will work best for you. Using an oral syringe, you place the drops under your tongue. It’s absolutely painless and very convenient.
Are you worried that only injectable HCG is effective? Studies show that oral HCG is just as effective as injectable HCG. Dieters who switched from the injections to the sublingual drops continued to lose as much weight, if not more, than they did when taking injections. These same dieters also reported having more energy and less hunger between meals than when they were using the HCG shots.
Are you bothered by the high cost of HCG shots? If so, then oral HCG will ease the strain on your pocketbook. HCG injections are quite expensive because you either have to obtain them through a doctor’s prescription or by ordering them from an overseas pharmacy. This makes the injectable HCG very costly and time-consuming to obtain. On the other hand, homeopathic HCG drops can be ordered from reputable companies in the United States without a prescription. A single 1 oz. bottle will last approximately 2 weeks.
Are you concerned that oral HCG isn’t safe? HCG is not a drug. It does not interact with your current prescriptions, nor does it have any negative side effects. Whether you choose oral HCG or injectable, rest assured that it is completely safe to take. You are simply replenishing a crucial hormone that your body needs. Over time, our modern way of life strips away your reserves of HCG. Without the HCG you need to regulate the hypothalamus, you fall prey to obesity. No matter which HCG treatment method you choose, you are choosing a healthy and happy road to diet success.
Some people may prefer injectable HCG, while others may prefer the convenience of oral HCG drops. Carefully consider how much you can spend on your HCG treatment and how easily you will be able to incorporate the HCG weight loss cure into your lifestyle. Nowadays, you have the good fortune to have a choice in your method of HCG treatment!
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
Before starting any diet program, it’s always smart to learn as much as you can – and this is particularly true about . Mediral International manufactures HCG Detox. This product is a liquid that is taken orally and it is much more easily obtainable than the injected kind. It also works much better for most people.
Mediral is a domestic company, located in Denver, Colorado. This has significant implication for product safety, as you will learn below.
The Science Behind The Miracle
HCG is a naturally-occurring hormone that humans have in abundance early in life. Thanks to our modern world and lifestyle, by adulthood this source is all but dried up. The loss of HCG is what British endocrinologist Dr. A.T.W. Simeons determined as one of the main factors involved in obesity. Without an adequate supply of this hormone, the hypothalamus gland can no longer regulate metabolism properly, and excess calories wind up being stored around the abdomen and hips as adipose. Adipose is a form of fat that is not readily available to the body as an energy source.
Reintroducing the hormone in the form of HCG Detox caused unexpected changes. This hormone reprogramed the hypothalamus, allowing it to break down adipose deposits and use those energy-rich cells as a source of fuel, meaning people lost fat and not muscle.
Injections vs. Liquids
While following the Simeons Protocols, the center of which is a Very Low Calorie Diet of only 500 calories a day, HCG must be taken three times a day. In the past, it was administered as an injection three times a day. However, the injectable form had several drawbacks. It was usually available only by prescription, and came in a powdered form that had to be mixed by hand in the proper proportions. In addition, may people find the injections at best uncomfortable and at worst actually painful
Liquid HCG Detox is simply taken under the tongue and held there for a few minutes as it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
More Advantages to Liquid HCG
Most injectable HCG must be from overseas manufacturers that are not licensed or regulated. On the other hand, the Colorado company that produces HCG Detox is a licensed laboratory that must follow all regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration as well as standards outlined in the U.S. Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Thus guaranteeing a safe form of the drug.
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
Although some states require a doctor’s prescription for the purchase of HCG, it is actually a fairly simple matter to in most states, provided that you know your source.
The Advantages of Buying Online
Ordering HCG online directly does save you a substantial amount of money, when you consider the time and costs involved in scheduling a doctor’s appointment, lab tests and blood work and syringes. This can be avoided by ordering from an online source.
Usually, you can HCG in an injectable form or as a homeopathic oral suspension that is taken under the tongue. Most people prefer the latter, as daily injections with needles can be rather uncomfortable – and even downright painful for some individuals.
The Dangers of Buying Onlin
Most HCG that is available online without a prescription is made in countries where quality controls and safety regulations are all but absent. You have no guarantees of what you might be getting, nor any assurance that you will even receive it.
Liquid HCG – the type that is taken orally – is manufactured in the United States. Although not approved for diet use in the U.S. (it is used medically for other purposes, and “off-label” use by medical professionals is a common practice.) Its manufacture is tightly regulated and is subject to quality and safety standards established by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Unlike overseas operations, U.S. manufacturers must be licensed laboratories operated by qualified individuals.
Side Effects and Interactions
If you have allergies or are on other kinds of prescription medications, you should obtain your HCG through a qualified physician who can provide advice and guidance in this area. It is important to inform your doctor of any and all medications you are currently taking prior to starting in on the HCG protocols, particularly if you are being treated for pituitary gland disorders. HCG is known to interfere with the drug ganirelix, which is used to suppress pituitary secretions. Because HCG can cause hyperstimulation of the ovaries, women who take ganirelix may require a dosage adjustment when on the HCG diet.
Some individuals may experience one or more of the following side effects:
swelling of the limbs
pain in the hips and abdomen
breathing difficulty
diarrhea
nausea
depression
difficulty urinating
water retention
headache
nervousness
Anyone who experiences these symptoms should stop using HCG and contact a physician immediately.
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
You may be wondering if is any safer or different from the hundreds of diet pills and supplements sold in the United States each year. With each year, a new slew of diet products, some with FDA approval, are unleashed on the consumer marketplace. In addition, each year some products are hastily pulled from the shelves as class action lawsuits mount.
So how is the hormonal supplement any different from diet pills? In this article, we break down the differences between the two.
What is the hormonal supplement, really?
The sublingual drops are made using the homeopathic process, which dilutes a substance over time and over several processes, until a very small but potent bit of it remains. According to homeopathic medicine, only very small doses of certain hormones, vitamins, and minerals are needed to make very great changes in the body. In the typical vial of oral drops, you will have a small amount of the hormone preserved in a solution of alcohol. Some companies will add other substances to decrease appetite and increase your energy, as well.
What’s a diet pill?
Diet pills vary depending upon which one you choose, but most of them contain a drug such as caffeine or herbal ephedra. The purpose of these drugs is to speed your metabolism and suppress your appetite to prompt weight loss. The efficacy of these drugs varies widely, depending upon the ingredients used–and the quality and potency of those ingredients as well. Although many purport to be “natural” weight loss remedies, these pills do not contain substances that occur naturally in the body. They rely on a drug of some sort to prompt the weight loss process.
What about side effects?
With the sublingual drops, there have been very few reported side effects. Because it is a natural substance your body needs, it is not a unnatural drug and does not interact with any medications you may be on. Dieters have reported having more energy and fewer hunger pains while taking the supplement in tandem with a low-calorie diet.
With diet pills, the list of side effects is long and changes depending upon which medication you are taking. Headaches, night sweats, jittery nerves, and nausea are the most common reported side effects. Some have been pulled from the market due to much more serious symptoms, such as heart failure.
The sublingual drops actually accomplish what most diet pills promise without the harmful side effects and without taking harsh drugs. For anyone wanting to lose weight quickly, you should take the time to carefully research any diet supplement you want to take. Make sure it has a track record of success and has not caused any serious problems to other dieters before you take anything.
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
Position Paper Regarding HCG Injections Along with a Very Low Calorie Diet for Weight Loss
The “HCG Diet” has become popular over the last few years due to the accessibility of the Internet and advertising by clinics that perform the protocol. I’ve read ATW Simeons protocol “Pounds and Inches: a New Approach to Obesity” several times. The paper is intriguing in terms of Simeons’ theories about weight gain and the role of hypothalamic dysfunction in prevention of weight loss. It’s also bold — Simeons claims the protocol is easy to follow and uniformly effective in suppressing appetite, elevating mood, and enabling “abnormal fat” to be lost (i.e., fat that is difficult to lose). He also states that HCG resets the hypothalamus to prevent lost weight from being regained. “Pounds and Inches” is available from several sources on the Internet. If you’re interested, you can a copy of Simeons’ paper describing his protocol published in 1954 from the Lancet.
HCG or “human chorionic gonadotropin” is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It’s also produced by tumors in women (hydatidiform mole) and men (testicular cancer). HCG injections are used medically since part of its molecular structure mimics luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG injections (in dosages ranging from 1000 to 2000 units, 2-3 times per week) are used to increase testosterone production in men with low testosterone who want to preserve fertility. HCG injections (5,000 to 10,000 units) are sometimes used in women to induce ovulation.
Simeons protocol uses minute dosages of HCG (125 units), 6-7 days per week for 23 to 40 days, along with a very low calorie (VLC) diet of 500 calories per day. Since HCG does share some of its molecular structure with LH and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), theoretically, it may increase , ovulation and progesterone production, or release of thyroid hormone. It may also cause excess stimulation of the ovary and ovarian cysts. However, the dosage used is very small and these effects are unlikely. A VLC diet (with or without HCG) can precipitate gallstones (since it’s very low in fat), and may cause symptoms of toxicity (since fat tissue stores toxins).
Research regarding HCG injections and weight loss is nearly all negative. In other words, most trials where patients received either HCG injections or placebo and followed identical VLC diets, show no difference in amount of weight lost, type of weight lost, hunger level, or mood. A summary of published studies follows this position paper.
I’ve spoken to many patients who’ve followed the HCG protocol with great success — they’ve lost significant amounts of weight, did not feel hungry, and had an increased sense of well-being. Many of these people have sustained their weight loss. I’ve personally gone through Simeons protocol, documenting all calories consumed as well as calories burned (by wearing a Bodybugg). I also measured my fat and muscle percentage before and after the diet. I lost 12 pounds and 4% body fat during the 23 day protocol. I was extremely hungry throughout the entire protocol, although I did exercise every day.
My position on the protocol is that I do not think it’s harmful. I also don’t think it has any effect over placebo. I do not discount the power of any placebo. The placebo response is really a measure of the power of the self-healing ability.
I think you should be informed about the research regarding HCG and weight loss before undergoing this protocol. You should also make sure your physician is aware of your current health status before you follow any VLC diet, and that causes of abnormal weight gain (e.g., hypothyroidism, , and other endocrine problems) have been ruled out. Before going on any VLC diet, I’d also recommend undergoing a detox program that supports Phase I and Phase II liver function. Make sure you don’t have pre-existing gallstones, or liver or kidney disease. If you’re using insulin for diabetes management, you must make sure your dosage is adjusted based on blood sugar levels.
Note that since 1975, the FDA requires the following information to be given with any HCG advertised or promoted for weight loss:
HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.
If you are interested in a safe and effective weight loss program, consider the Ideal Weight Permanently program we use in our office. This twelve-week program includes a medical food (UltraMeal Plus 360) clinically proven to lower unhealthy triglycerides and cholesterol, reduce weight, and improve blood pressure, along with a low-glycemic, Mediterranean-type diet. Healthy eating, exercise, and stress-management habits are taught for life-long ideal weight maintenance.
Summary of Research and Articles RE: HCG Injections
& VLC Diet for Weight Loss
Note: Dr. Simeons does not state that HCG alone accomplishes weight loss; rather, he states patients treated with HCG will not be hungry or tired, will lose a different kind of weight (“abnormal fat” that is difficult to lose), and will experience an increased sense of well-being. He also claims that weight lost is unlikely to be regained (“60-70%” of patients keep weight off) due to a resetting of the hypothalamus.
Positive studies:
Asher W, Harper H. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being. Am J Clin Nutr. 1973;26(2):211-8.
This study is a well-designed, randomized, double-blind trial of 40 women receiving HCG or placebo at an HCG treatment clinic (Harold Harper, MD). All followed a 500 to 550 kcal diet; 20 received 125 IU HCG six days per week for 6 weeks (36 injections); 20 received placebo injections six days per week (36 injections). Mean age of the HCG group was 37.8 years; placebo group 38.4 years. Results: Mean weight loss (HCG: 19.96 +/- 1.63 lbs; placebo: 11.05 +/- 1.29 lbs) and percentage of starting weight lost (HCG: 11.47%; placebo: 6.77%) were greater in the HCG group than the placebo group. Fourteen patients lost 15 lbs or more in the HCG group; 5 lost 15 lbs or more in the placebo group.
Hunger was decreased (HCG: 76.6% of daily responses indicated little or no hunger; placebo group 48.7% of daily responses indicated little or no hunger). Feeling of well being was greater in the HCG group (HCG: 86.5% indicated they felt “good” to “excellent”; placebo: 70% said they felt “good” to “excellent”). Blood pressure was not significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, Dr. Harper’s patients who received placebo injections lost more weight on average than either the HCG or placebo patients of 4 other physicians. The authors concluded, “Therefore, HCG used in a casual program of weight reduction, as it is often used in a general practice, is of no value,” meaning that the very low calorie diet is the critical element leading to weight loss.
Gusman H. Chorionic gonadotropin in obesity. Further clinical observations. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22:686.
In this article, Dr. Gusman states he’s treated “well over 2,500 patients of both sexes, aged 15 to 75″ with Simeons’ HCG protocol. Gusman studied with A.T.W. Simeons at his clinic in Rome. This article discusses Simeons’ concept of obesity, namely, that it is a “definite metabolic disorder, much as is diabetes, caused by a breakdown of a regulating mechanism located in the…hypothalamus.” He call this “the fat-regulating center.”
Gusman explains that fat cells in the obese differ from normal fat cells in that they’re more numerous and larger. These “overstuffed” fat cells metabolize glucose less efficiently than normal fat cells. Normal fat tissue serves two functions: structural material (to protect organs and blood vessels) and fuel storage. Abnormal fat tissue is also a potential reserve for fuel, but is not immediately available in nutritional emergencies. Only after the normal fat reserves are exhausted will the body use abnormal fat. Severe calorie restriction leads to exhaustion of normal fat reserves before abnormal fat is used, and the patient will be weak and hungry “while the ugly fat deposits – of which he originally wished to rid himself – have hardly been reduced. At this point, the patient often becomes depressed and frustrated, and the diet is abandoned.”
The only type of “nutritional emergency” where all types of fat cells are immediately useable is during pregnancy. Simeons suggests it’s HCG that brings about changes in the hypothalamus preventing obesity during pregnancy.
Gusman compiled records from 450 of his patients receiving either 3 or 6 week treatment. He makes the following observations: 1) 90% of patients were able to reduce their weight, 2) 60-70% reached their desired normal weight, 3) “a majority” claimed this regiment was the easiest and most successful to follow, 4) “many” who regained some or all of their weight claimed they kept their weight off longer than previously, and didn’t mind returning for treatment, 5)”nearly all patients” experienced “euphoria” in spite of marked low intake of food, and 6) the markedly obese had the most satisfying results.
Lebon P. Treatment of overweight patients with chorionic gonadotropin. J Am Geriat Soc. 1966;14:116.
Lebon P. Action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1961;2:268.
Simeons AT. The action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 Nov 6;267(6845):946-7.
Stuart C. The action of chorionic gonadotophin in the obese. Lancet. 1961;278(7196):268-9.
Negative studies:
Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart RI, et al. Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. S Afr Med J. 1990;77(4):185-9.
This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing HCG injections with placebo for weight loss. Forty obese women (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) were placed on the same diet supplying 5,000 kJ per day and received daily intramuscular injections of saline or HCG, 6 days a week for 6 weeks. A psychological profile, hunger level, body circumferences, a fasting blood sample and food records were obtained at the start and end of the study, while body weight was measured weekly. Results: Subjects receiving HCG injections showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect of any of the variables recorded. Furthermore, weight loss on the diet was similar to that on severely restricted intake. The authors conclude, “There is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity.”
Craig L, Ray R, Waxler S, et al. Chorionic gonadotropin in the treatment of obese women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1963;12:230-234.
This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of evaluating the effectiveness of the Simeon method using HCG vs. placebo, and a 550 calorie per day diet. Twenty obese women were treated for forty days. Results: all subjects but one lost weight, but the losses were small and not uniform, suggesting varied adherence to the diet. The basal metabolic rate was increased in four HCG subjects and two control subjects.
Greenway FL, Bray GA. Human chorionic gonadotrohpin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical assessment of the Simeons method. West J Med. 1977;127(6);461-3.
This study was a double-blind, placebo control trial using HCG injections or placebo to test weight loss, hunger level, mood, and localized (spot) reduction while adhering to a very low calorie diet. Results: Weight loss was identical between the two groups, and there was no evidence for differential effects on hunger, mood or localized body measurements. The authors conclude, “Placebo injections, therefore, appear to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity.”
Lijesen S, Theeuwen I, Assendelft W, et al. The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995;40:237-243.
This paper was a meta-analysis of eight uncontrolled and 16 controlled trials measuring the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity. The trials were scored for quality and methods (based on four main categories: study population, interventions, measurement of effect, and data presentation and analysis) and the main conclusion of author(s) with regard to weight-loss, fat-redistribution, hunger, and feeling of well-being. Methodological scores ranged from 16 to 73 points (maximum score 100), suggesting that most studies were of poor methodological quality. Of the 12 studies scoring 50 or more points, one reported that HCG was a useful adjunct. The studies scoring 50 or more points were all controlled. The authors concluded, “that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity; it does not bring about weight-loss or fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being.”
Miller R, Schneiderman LJ. A clinical study of the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin in weight reduction. J Fam Pract 1977 Mar;4(3):554-8.
Treatment of obesity with human chorionic gonadotrophin was shown to be of no better value than saline in a double-blind crossover study of weight reduction in obese subjects. There was also no significant difference in mood, hunger, or missed injections, and no apparent difference in adherence to diet when the two agents were compared. In contrast, a significant difference was found in the ability of subjects to lose weight in the first four weeks of the study in contrast with the second four weeks, no matter which agent was used. Thus, the initiation of a new therapeutic program, even using an inert agent, has a temporary benefit–a manifestation both of placebo effect and the Hawthorne effect.
Rabe T, Richter S, Kiesel L, Runnebaum B. [Risk-benefit analysis of a hCG-500 kcal reducing diet (cura romana) in females]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1987 May;47(5):297-307.
The British physician A.T.W. Simeons described in 1954 a new method for dieting. He combined a reduction diet (500 kcal per day) with daily injections of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (125 IU i.m.). According to Simeons the patient should not lose more weight during a 4-to-6 weeks’ diet than without hCG, but the injections should facilitate to maintain the diet and to lose body weight at specific parts of the body (e.g. hip, belly, thigh). After the first publication various studies conducted with male and female patients analysed the efficacy of the “Cura romana”. 10 of these studies showed positive and another 10 studies negative results with regard to hCG-related weight reduction. Two of these studies with positive results were double-blind studies (hCG vs. placebo). Most of them were reports on therapeutical experiences and were not controlled studies. According to these reports the body proportions normalized and the feeling of hunger was tolerable. Four out of 10 studies with negative results were controlled studies (hCG vs. control without hCG), whereas 6 were double-blind studies. These studies showed a significant weight reduction during dieting, but no differences between treatment groups in respect of body weight, body proportions and feeling of hunger. One of them is the only German study conducted by Rabe et al. in 1981 in which 82 randomised premenopausal volunteers had been dieting either with hCG or without hCG injections. In recent publications describing mostly well-documented double-blind studies, authors largely reject hCG administration in dieting. Supporters of the hCG diet must prove the efficacy of this method in controlled studies according to the German Drug Law. Until then the opinion of the German steroid toxicology panel is still valid, that hCG is ineffective in dieting and should not be used.
Shetty KR, Kalkhoff RK. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity. Arch Intern Med. 1977 Feb;137(2):151-5.
This study compared After a nine-day control period, six hospitalized obese women given 125 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) intramuscularly daily for 30 days with five obese women who received injections of dilutent only (placebo. Patients consumed identical, 500-calorie per day diets for the same period. Although the number of patients was small, the study is significant since patient diets and all injections were monitored closely in a hospital setting. Results: Mean weight loss in the HCG-treated group was nearly identical to that achieved by women given the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold thickness or circumferential body measurements of the chest, waist, hips, and thighs were not different. Patterns of change of a variety of plasma and urine substrates, electrolytes, and hormones were similar in the two groups and consistent with semistarvation and weight loss. The authors concluded,” These results indicate that HCG has no effects on chemical and hormonal parameters measured and offers no advantage over calorie restriction in promoting weight loss.”
Stein MR, Julis RE, Peck CC, et al. Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotrophin in weight reduction: a double blind study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1976;29(0):940-8.
This study was a well-designed, randomized, double-blind trial of 51 women receiving HCG or placebo for 32 days (28 injections), along with a 500 to 550 kcal/day diet. The study was designed to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (above). Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was counseled by one of the investigators who administered the injections. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss (HCG: 15.79 lbs; placebo: 15.52 lbs), percent of weight loss (HCG: 9.48%; placebo: 9.25%), hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. The authors concluded, “HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.”
Young RL, Fuchs RJ, Woltjen MJ. Chorionic gonadotrophin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study. JAMA. 1976;236(22):2495.
Two hundred two patients participated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study of the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs. placebo in a weight reduction program. Serial measurements were made of weight, skin-fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and patient subjective response. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs. placebo during any phase of this study.
Other interesting studies
Sohar E. A forty-day-550 calorie diet in the treatment of obese outpatients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1959;7:514-518.
The purpose of this paper was to present a method of producing rapid weight reduction in obese patients. This study looked at forty-five patients who started fifty-three courses of 550-calorie diet, consisting of two meals prescribed in detail. Patients were told what to eat (Simeon diet) and were not told calorie content. Thirty-nine patients were given HCG injections (125 units), fourteen others received daily injections of saline. Patients were told that weight reduction would be due to the diet but that injections would help curb appetite. The authors assumed from the start that HCG was ineffective in terms of weight reduction. Injections were given for “psychological reasons only” since patients were assured they would curb appetite.
The authors state that the diet Simeon prescribed is successful because average daily weight loss is high due to the very low calories consumed. Patients are more likely to stick to the diet due to time limitation – i.e., they know the diet will only last 40 days. They state that “the vast majority of patients are willing to suffer for forty days for the reward of losing the predicted and attainable amount of 20 pounds.” The author also surmises that success is due to the fact that food is prescribed, not calories. This eliminates the estimating that usually goes on with calorie counting. In other
words, most patients do not weigh or measure food and do not record calories properly. Sohar recommends not advising patients in terms of calories, but to prescribe meals in detail.
Another reason Sohar gives for success of the diet is that only two meals per day are prescribed; therefore, contact with food is minimized. Lastly, activity level is unrestricted, “enabling all obese people, most of whom are housewives, to reduce.” Sohar points out that his paper, as well as Simeon’s work, proves that obese patients can lead a normal life performing moderate work on 500 to 600 calories per day.
(1) Simeons AT. The action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 Nov 6;267(6845):946-7.
(2) Lukaczer D, Liska D, Lerman R, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nutrition 2006;22:104-113.
Dr. Kathryn Retzler of Portland Oregon is a naturopathic physician and an authority on natural medicine and hormone balance. She draws on both conventional and alternative therapies and believes that people benefit most from a blend of all available treatments, focused on individual needs. Dr. Retzler founded HormoneSynergy to help people achieve optimal health and aging through hormone balance. As a specialist in holistic medicine, Dr. Retzler understands the role balanced hormones and neurotransmitters play in all areas of health. She recommends natural therapies, lifestyle changes and bioidentical hormones to address the underlying causes of hormone imbalance and restore health and vitality. Additional information can be found on her website .
Yes, you read that right; there are dangers to exercise while following the . These dangers are not necessarily life-threatening, nor should you remain completely inactive while on the HCG diet. However, strenuous exercise can very well sabotage your efforts at weight loss.
It’s a Medical Disorder
In our dysfunctional “blame the victim” culture, it is popular and even acceptable to point at overweight people and simply say they are lazy, self-indulgent and weak. Now, while there may in fact be a small number of individuals who do fit this description, the fact is that 98% of people who struggle with weight issues have physiological conditions over which they have no control. Moreover, no single set of physiological conditions are responsible for obesity in every individual.
Dr. Simeons on Obesity
Dr. A.T.W. Simeons was one of the first physicians to identify obesity as a pathologic condition with numerous and varied causes. One of these is natural selection. Since prehistoric times, excess body fat (particularly among women) has been seen in many cultures as a sign of wealth and fertility. Large women were considered desirable mates, and as a result, fatness became a genetic trait.
Dr. Simeons also noted that the invention of agriculture changed human eating habits significantly. In a paper entitled “Pounds and Inches,” he wrote:
“The institution of regular meals meant that man had to eat more than his body required at the moment of eating so as to tide him over until the next meal. Food rendered easily digestible suddenly flooded his body with nourishment of which he was in no need at the moment. Somehow, somewhere this surplus had to be stored.” (1954)
Dr. Simeons identified three types of fat, the third of which consists of adipose, an abnormal type of fat that is “locked up” and not normally available to the body as an energy source.
The Danger of Exercise
The heart of the HCG diet protocol is a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) of no more than 500 calories a day. Normally, this is a starvation diet and poses serious health risks. However, the use of HCG “unlocks” adipose deposits, forcing the body to obtain extra calories from this source.
The fact remains, however, that your body is already using calories at an extreme rate. While mild exercise can be helpful, strenuous exercise can actually cause too many calories to be used, causing a reaction that can be counterproductive to your weight loss efforts.
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
Here’s a fact that may shock you: a daily is literally a starvation diet.
Consider that the average human requires about approximately three to five times this amount simply to maintain his/her normal metabolic processes, and you begin to understand just how “very low” this “very low calorie diet” really is. To put it into another perspective, this number is less that the average amount of calories fed to inmates of the infamous concentration camps and Allied POWs captured in the Pacific during the Second World War. (If you have seen photos of those survivors, you know the results of such a “diet.”)
Nonetheless, people who have successfully lost weight on the HCG diet report that they feel little in the way of hunger pangs while following the protocol – if any at all.
How is this possible? Doesn’t someone consuming only 500 calories a day run major health risks?
The HCG Difference
The answer to the second question is “no” – not when Dr. Simeons’ protocols are carefully followed. The reason is that under normal conditions, a 500 calorie diet would cause one’s body to start wasting away as it cannibalizes lean muscle tissue, whereas HCG forces the body to feed on excess fat deposits, or adipose.
The answer to the first question lies in understanding the mechanism of HCG and how taking it causes such dramatic weight loss without health risks.
How HCG Works
“Human Chorionic Gonadotropin” (HCG) is a natural hormone that the fetus produces during the gestation process. Its primary purpose is to regulate metabolic processes during pregnancy. Its secondary function is to protect the fetus should the mother suffer from malnutrition, since under normal circumstances the mother would literally steal nutrients from the fetus.
Our natural supply of HCG is depleted by the time we reach adulthood, largely because of the nature of the modern diet of processed and chemically adulterated foods. Without HCG, regulation of the body’s metabolic processes is compromised.
Taking homeopathic HCG replaces that which has been lost. When present in the bloodstream, this hormone reprograms the part of the brain responsible for regulating metabolism, which is a small gland known as the hypothalamus. This reprogramming forces the hypothalamus to feed off of these adipose stores when one is on a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) rather than lean muscle tissue – which is what actually causes the “wasting away” associated with genuine starvation.
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
The may seem like the answer to anyone wanting to give the program a try. But do you really need everything in the kits? Do you save any money by buying in bulk? In this article, we attempt to break down the kits and whether or not they save you time and money.
What’s in the kit?
Most kits contain the sublingual drops that are crucial to the plan. They may include some other kind of supplement to help boost energy or metabolism. Most include some kind of diet protocol or recipe book to help you select foods that stay within your calorie range. These kits are available in different sizes, depending upon how long you plan on staying with the program–15 days’ supply, 30 days’ supply, and so forth.
Do you really need these items for success?
The sublingual drops are essential to success on the program, so you will need to purchase them as either part of a kit or separately. Additional supplements are not crucial to your success but they can make you more comfortable or add to your energy while you are on the plan.
Some sort of protocol is necessary to your understanding of how the diet works.
A cookbook is helpful for keeping you on track and interested in trying new foods, but it’s not a necessity.
What’s the savings?
If you are gung-ho about starting the plan and want to try a few products that can help you stay on track, the kit is definitely the way to go. Most suppliers offer a savings of around 20% if you the kit, and some even offer free shipping on kits. If you are unsure of the plan and feel more cautious, purchasing the homeopathic drops only may be your best bet. You can always purchase a kit if you like the results you have on the program.
What’s the bottom line?
If you want to try several new products, or feel like you need some support to get started, the kits will be your best investment. The products they offer will help you understand the program, cook delicious meals that are diet-friendly, and give you a natural energy boost.
They offer several products at a greatly reduced price. Moreover, the supplier has handpicked these products to help you start your weight loss goal. If they recommend these products, they are probably your best bet.
No matter how you choose to start the program, whether with a kit or with sublingual drops alone, the important thing is to get started. Don’t get hung up on buying every single product if you can’t afford it. It’s much more important to start the program at a level you can afford. The kits do offer the best bang for your buck, though!
For more information on HCG Diet Direct or HCG Diet Direct tools and resources contact Jenny Boynton at info@HcgDietDirect.com or by phone at: 1-602-330-7655. Or visit HCG Diet Direct online at www.hcgdietdirect.com
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