The HCG Injection Diet

In their quest to beat the battle of the bulge, many dieters become frustrated at the slow progress of shedding their excess baggage. So who wouldn’t want to try a weight loss program that promises fast, dramatic results? Well, one such diet promises just that – the HCG injection diet. But how effective is it? And more importantly, is it safe? Dr Janine Olivier tells us all.

The HCG Diet – an extreme diet that involves injections of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) has been around for more than 40 years. HCG is the hormone women make when they are pregnant. Previously, the HCG Diet was defined by a 500-calorie diet paired with daily injections of HCG.

This diet is associated with dramatic weight loss. But the problem, up until now, was that no doctor could explain how it worked – and critics claimed the caloric restrictions are responsible for the weight loss and not the HCG hormone. Critics of the diet have also maintained that the weight lost cannot be kept off.

HCG Origins

The original HCG Diet that Dr Simeons (a UK endocrinologist) created had some strange rules. For example, it required the consumption of only one vegetable per meal, prohibited the use of oil, body lotions and hygiene products, and limited use of the HCG hormone to odd cycles of 23 and 46 days.

The original diet also did not allow exercise. In addition, there had been no published guidelines on how to dose the HCG hormone – and as a result, most providers of this diet were generally using random dosing of the prescription hormone. This was called the old Simeons Protocol (Simeon A), and according to the new wave of medical professionals that offer this type of diet, it was unhealthy and no supplemental support was offered.

Present Day

A recent guest on the Dr Oz Show – Dr Sheri L Emma (MD) has done extensive research on the diet and explained why HCG does help you to lose fat and still retain valuable muscle mass.

After years of research and treating thousands of patients, Dr Emma set out to put the record straight. The original Simeons Protocol (Simeon A) should no longer be in practice by any physician.

Her protocol is supported by numerous studies and clinical trials, the latest of which was presented to weight loss physicians at the October 2012 meeting of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. This can also be read at DrEmmasDiet.com. Her dosing method is customized, with much higher doses than previously published. She has also created specific guidelines for patients based on age and gender.

This HCG program offers diets ranging from 500-1500 calories, and the diet should be chosen based on the patient and their history. This diet also encourages the proper types of exercise after the first two weeks of adjustment to the diet and injection.

So, the most pressing question is: Do HCG injections work for weight loss? According to Dr Emma’s research the answer is yes, absolutely. The trickier question is: How does HCG work for weight loss?

HCG Injection Changes How You Lose Weight –

It Does Not Make You Lose Weight

According to Dr Emily’s research, patients reported that HCG injections reduced their feelings of hunger and allowed them to be comfortable on a low calorie diet. It is believed the presence of HCG in the bloodstream takes the appetite away. In pregnant women, HCG often causes feelings of nausea in the early stages of pregnancy.

What Is HCG

HCG is a pro-hormone – it helps the body make more hormones. Hormone deficiency or imbalance can contribute to weight gain. Whether it is your thyroid, or menopause (or andropause in males), HCG offers help.

Only HCG INJECTIONS have been shown to raise blood levels of HCG, it is the only acceptable way and proven method of taking HCG at this time. Any other way of taking it: drops, pills, sprays are likely dissolved before even reaching the blood – and this would be like taking nothing at all. Injection should only be taken with a prescription from a doctor, under medical supervision.

HCG injections help you to burn fat while preserving muscle mass. This is done by elevating hormone levels in the body, including testosterone. The HCG hormone creates an anabolic state (muscle-building) which counteracts the catabolic state (muscle breakdown). There are hormone receptors on muscle fibers that respond to increased hormone levels in patients taking the HCG hormone.

Why It’s Important to Lose More Fat Than Muscle

With fast weight loss on a crash diet, there is a high amount of muscle that is lost. Because muscle is heavy, the kilos drop quickly. When you lose muscle, it’s bad for your body, shape, and metabolism.

The metabolism slows so much that you regain weight quickly, often regaining all the weight that was lost and more! It takes hard work to build back the muscle that has been lost. The new HCG protocols protect muscle from being lost. In fact, there is more pure fat loss, which causes shrinking in centimetres and clothing sizes. The great result is that one can become leaner, in a smaller clothing size – but with more muscle.

According to both Dr Emily and Dr Oz, this muscle allows for a stronger metabolism and helps you maintain your weight loss long after the diet is completed.

Take Home Message

No diet is perfect for all individuals – your doctor will guide you as to your perfect weight loss strategy according to your medical needs, level of activity and age.