The HCG Diet Information

Position Paper on HCG injections

Along with a VLCD Weight Loss

The “HCG Diet” has been popularized in recent years due to the accessibility of the Internet and advertising of clinics that perform the protocol. I have read protocol ATW Simeons “Pounds and Inches: a new approach to obesity” several times. The document is interesting in terms of theories Simeons weight gain and the role of hypothalamic dysfunction in the prevention of weight loss. It is also bold – Simeons claims that the protocol is easy to follow and consistently effective in suppressing the appetite, mood elevating, and allowing “abnormal,” stubborn fat to lose. HCG also states that resets the hypothalamus to prevent weight loss to be recovered. “Pounds and Inches” is available from several online sources. If you are interested, you can request a paper copy of Simeons’ that describes the protocol published in 1954 issue of The Lancet. (1)

HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It is also produced by tumors in women (hydatidiform mole) and men (testicular cancer). HCG injections are used medically as part of its molecular structure mimics luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG injections (in doses 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 doses 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 shares some of its molecular structure with the LH and thyroid hormone (TSH), in theory, can increase testosterone production, ovulation and the production of progesterone, or thyroid hormone release. It can also cause overstimulation of the ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer. However, the dose used is very small and these effects are unlikely. VLC diet (with or without HCG) may precipitate gallstones (as it is very low in fat), and may cause symptoms of toxicity (as the tissue fat stores toxins).

Research HCG injections and weight loss is almost entirely negative. In other words, the majority of trials in which patients received HCG injections or placebo and followed identical diets VLC, show no difference in the amount of weight lost, the rate of weight loss, hunger level, or mood. A summary of published studies follow this paper.

No study I’ve read has looked at long-term maintenance of weight loss with HCG protocol. Randomized controlled trials of VLC diets show a wide variation in the recovery of the initial percentage of weight loss. Participants in these trials recovered 7-122% of initial weight lost for a year, and 26-121% at 5 years. (2) active monitoring of weight maintenance programs, including behavioral therapy, nutrition education and exercise are more effective in improving weight maintenance.

Would be worthwhile to conduct a clinical trial to see if the participants following the protocol HCG are more successful at maintaining weight loss than diet alone VLC. Simeons complaints from patients who follow his protocol to maintain the weight loss of 60-70% of the time, although I do not believe that published data to support this assertion.

I’ve talked to many patients who have undergone the HCG protocol with great success – they’ve lost weight, felt no hunger, and had a greater sense of wellbeing. Many of these people have sustained their weight loss. I have personally gone through the Simeons protocol, documenting all the calories consumed and calories burned (with the use of a Bodybugg ®). I also measured my fat percentage of muscle, and before and after the diet through bioelectrical impedance analysis. I lost 12 pounds and 4% body fat during the 23-day protocol. I was very hungry throughout the entire protocol, although he did use every day. Some proponents of the protocol does not recommend exercise, although this seems bad advice, given the overwhelming health benefits of regular exercise.

My position on the HCG Protocol for weight loss do not think it’s harmful. I do not think it has any effect on the placebo. Do not dismiss the power of any placebo. The placebo response is actually a measure of the power of self-healing capacity.

I think he should be informed about the research in relation to HCG and weight loss before you undergo this protocol. Also make sure your doctor knows about your current health status before following any diet VLC, and the causes of abnormal weight gain (eg, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and other endocrine problems) were discarded . Before entering into any diet VLC, I also recommend applying a detoxification program that supports Phase I and Phase II of liver function. Make sure you do not have pre-existing gallstones, or liver disease or kidney disease. If you are using insulin to control diabetes, you must make sure your dose is adjusted based on levels of blood sugar, and do not develop ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.

Note that since 1975, the FDA requires the following information to be given to any advertising or promotion of HCG for weight loss:

HCG has not been proven to be an effective therapy assistant in the treatment of obesity. There is substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, which causes more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that decreases hunger and discomfort associated with restricted diets caloric.

Dr. Kathryn Retzler

 

1 AT Simeons. The action of chorionic gonadotropin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 November 6, 267 (6845) :946-7.

2 Saris W. very low calorie diets and sustained weight loss. Obesity Research. 2001, Suppl 4:295 S-301s.

3 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.

 

Research summary and articles RE: HCG injections

VLC Diet and Weight Loss

Note: Dr. Simeons HCG does not indicate that only achieves weight loss, but states that patients treated with HCG never be hungry or tired, you lose a different kind of weight (“abnormal fat” which is hard to miss) and experience a greater sense of wellbeing. He also claims that weight loss is unlikely to be recovered (“60-70%” of patients to alleviate the weight) due to an adjustment of the hypothalamus.

Positive studies:

Asher W, Harper H. Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight loss, hunger and sense of wellbeing. Am J Clin Nutr. 1973, 26 (2) :211-8.

This study is a well-designed, randomized, double-blind trial of 40 women who received HCG or placebo in a treatment clinic HCG (Harold Harper, MD). All followed a diet 500 to 550 kcal, 20 received 125 IU of HCG six days a week for 6 weeks (36 injections), 20 received injections of placebo six days a week (36 shots). The average age was 37 HCG group. 8 years, placebo group 38. 4 years. Results: Mean weight loss (HCG: 19. 96 + / – 1. £ 63, placebo: 11. 05 + / – 1. Pounds 29) and percentage of starting weight loss (HCG: 11. 47% placebo: 6. 77%) were higher in the HCG group than the placebo group. Fourteen patients lost 15 pounds or more in the HCG group, 5 lost 15 pounds or more in the placebo group.

Hunger decreased (HCG: 76. 6% of respondents indicated the hungry every day little or nothing placebo group 48. 7% of respondents indicated the hungry every day little or nothing). Sense of well being was higher in the HCG group (HCG 86. 5% indicated that 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, 4 patients of other physicians. The authors concluded: “Therefore, the HCG used in an informal program of weight reduction as it is often used in a general practice, has no value”, which means that very low calorie diet is critical element that leads to weight loss.

H. Guzman Chorionic gonadotropin in obesity. Besides clinical observations. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969, 22:686.

In this article, Dr. Guzman said that the treaties “more than 2,500 patients of both sexes between 15 and 75″ with the Simeons HCG protocol. Guzmán studied with ATW Simeons clinic in Rome. This article discusses the concept of obesity Simeons, namely, a “metabolic disorder defined, much as diabetes is caused by an interruption of a regulatory mechanism located in the hypothalamus ….” They call this “fat control center.”

Guzman explained that the fat cells in obese differ from normal cells of the fat in which are more numerous and larger. These “soft” fat cells metabolize glucose less efficiently than normal fat cells. Normal fat tissue has two functions: structural material (to protect the organs and blood vessels) and fuel storage. The abnormal fat tissue is also a potential reserve of fuel, but is not immediately available in nutritional emergencies. Only after the normal fat reserves are exhausted the body use fat abnormal. Calorie restriction leads to severe depletion of normal fat before abnormal fat is used, and the patient will be weak and hungry “, while ugly fat deposits – of which he originally wanted to get – just have been reduced . At this point, the patient often becomes depressed and frustrated, and diet is abandoned. ”

The only type of “nutritional emergency”, where all types of fat cells are immediately usable during pregnancy. Simeons HCG suggests that brought about changes in hypothalamic obesity prevention during pregnancy.

Gusman compiled from records of 450 patients receiving 3 or 6 weeks of treatment. He makes the following observations: 1) 90% of patients were able to reduce their weight, 2) 60-70% achieved the desired weight normal, 3) “most”, said this regiment was the easiest and most successful to follow, 4) “many” who recovered some or all of their weight said they maintained their weight as before, and did not care to return for treatment, 5) “most patients” experienced “high” despite food intake low marked, and 6) the obese had marked the most satisfactory results.

Lebon P. Treatment of overweight patients with chorionic gonadotropin. J Am Geriat Soc. 1966, 14:116.

P. Lebon Action of chorionic gonadotropin in the obese. Lancet. 1961, 2:268.

AT Simeons. The action of chorionic gonadotropin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 November 6, 267 (6845) :946-7.

Stuart C. The action of chorionic gonadotophin obesity. Lancet. 1961, 278 (7196) :268-9.

 

Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart IR, et al. Human chorionic gonadotropin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo controlled trial. S Afr Med J. 1990, 77 (4) :185-9.

This study was an injection of HCG double-blind, placebo-controlled compared with placebo in weight loss. Forty obese women (body mass index above 30 kg/m2) were placed on the same diet supplying 5,000 kJ per day and received daily injections of saline or HCG, 6 days a week for 6 weeks. A psychological profile of hunger level, body circumferences, a fasting blood sample and food records were obtained at the beginning and end of the study, while body weight was measured weekly. Results: Subjects receiving HCG injections showed no advantages over those treated with placebo on any of the variables studied. Moreover, weight loss diet was similar to that of the severely restricted intake. The authors conclude, “There is no justification for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity.”

L Craig, R Ray, S Waxler, 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 study to evaluate the effectiveness of the method of Simeon with HCG versus placebo, and 550 calories a day diet. Twenty obese women were treated for forty days. Results: all subjects, but weight loss, but losses were small and uniform, suggesting that adherence to the diet varied. The basal metabolic rate increased in four subjects HCG and two control subjects.

Greenway FL, Bray GA. Gonadotrohpin human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical assessment of the Simeons method. West J Med 1977; 127 (6), 461-3.

This study was an injection of HCG double-blind, placebo control or placebo to evaluate weight loss, hunger level, mood, and localized (spot), while the reduction of a diet low in calories. Results: Weight loss was identical between the two groups, and there was no evidence of differential effects on hunger, mood or localized measurements of the body. The authors conclude that “placebo injections, therefore, seem to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity.”

Lijesen S, Theeuwes I, Assendelft W, et al. The effect of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity through the Simeons therapy: a meta analysis based on criteria. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995, 40:237-243.

This study was a meta-analysis of eight controlled trials and 16 uncontrolled measure the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity. The material was of quality and methods (based on four main categories: study population, interventions, effect measurement, presentation and data analysis) and the main conclusion of the author (s) with respect to loss weight, fat-redistribution, hunger and sense of wellbeing. methodological results 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 is a useful complement. Studies scoring 50 or more points are controlled all. The authors concluded, “there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity, but does not entail the loss of weight or fat redistribution, or reduce hunger or induce a feeling of comfort.”

Miller R, Schneiderman LJ. A clinical study on the use of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction. J Fam Pract 1977 Mar; 4 (3) :554-8.

Treatment of obesity with HCG has proven to be of any value better than saline in a double-blind crossover study of weight reduction in obese people. There were no significant differences in mood, hunger or lack of shots, and there is no apparent difference in adherence to the diet when the two agents were compared. By contrast, a significant difference in the ability of subjects to lose weight in the first four weeks of study in contrast with the second of four weeks, regardless of which agent was used. Therefore, the beginning of a new treatment program, including through an inert agent, has a temporary benefit – a manifestation of both placebo effect and the Hawthorne effect.

Rabe T, Richter S, Kiesel L, Runnebaum B. [The analysis of risks and benefits of a diet reducing hCG-500 kcal (Roman priest) in women]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. May 1987, 47 (5) :297-307.

The British Medical ATW Simeons in 1954 described a new method of dieting. He combined a reduction diet (500 kcal per day) with daily injections of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (125 IU im). According Simeons the patient should not lose more weight during the 4-to-6 weeks of diet without hCG, but the injections should facilitate to maintain the diet and lose weight in certain parts of the body (eg hip, belly , thigh). After the first publication various studies conducted with male and female patients evaluating the efficacy of the “Cura romana”. 10 of these studies showed positive and another 10 studies negative results with respect to weight reduction associated with hCG. Two of these studies with positive results were double-blind studies (hCG vs. placebo). Most of these reports on the therapeutic experience and 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 reduction in weight during a diet, but there were no differences between groups in relation to 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 premenopausal volunteers had been randomized diet either with or without hCG hCG injections. In recent publications describing mostly well documented in double blind studies, the authors reject the hCG administration largely in dieting. Supporters of the hCG diet must prove the effectiveness of this method in controlled studies according to German Drug Law. Until then, the opinion of German steroid toxicology panel is still valid, that hCG is ineffective in the diet 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 control period of nine days, 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 solvent only (placebo. patients consume identical diets of 500 calories per day during the same period. Although the number of patients was small, the study is significant because the diets of patients and all injections were monitored closely in a hospital setting. Results: Mean weight loss in the group treated with HCG was almost identical to that achieved by women who received the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold and girth measurements of chest, waist, hips and thighs were not different. Patterns of change a variety of plasma and urine substrates, electrolytes, hormones, and were similar in both groups and consistent with starvation and weight loss. The authors concluded: “These results indicate that HCG has no effect 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 gonadotropin 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 who received HCG or placebo for 32 days (28 shots), along with a 500 to 550 kcal / day. The study was designed to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (above). Each patient was given the same diet (established in the Asher-Harper study) was weighed daily from Monday to Saturday and was advised by one of the researchers who administered the injections. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the means of the two groups in the number of injections received, weight loss (HCG: 15. 79 pounds, placebo: 15. 52 pounds), the percentage of weight loss (HCG: 9 . 48%, placebo: 9. 25%), hip and waist circumference, weight loss injections, or in ratings of hunger. The authors concluded, “HCG not appear to increase the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen to reduce weight.”

Young RL, Fuchs RJ, MJ Woltjen. Chorionic gonadotropin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study. JAMA. 1976, 236 (22): 2495.

Two hundred two patients participated in a placebo double-blind, randomized crossover study on the effectiveness of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs. a weight reduction program. Serial measurements were weight, skin fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and the patient’s subjective response. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between those receiving HCG vs. placebo during any phase of this study.

Other interesting studies

Sohar E. Forty days, 550 calories of diet in the treatment of obese outpatients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1959, 7:514-518.

The purpose of this paper is to present a method to produce rapid weight loss in obese patients. This study looked at forty-five patients who started courses fifty-three 550-calorie diet, which consists of two meals in detail. Patients were told what to eat (diet Simeon) and were not told in calories. Thirty-nine patients received injections of HCG (125 units), fourteen received daily injections of saline. Patients were told that weight reduction is due to the diet, but the injections help to reduce appetite. It was assumed from the outset that HCG was ineffective in terms of weight reduction. The injections were given for “psychological reasons only” because patients were assured that would decrease the appetite.

The authors state that the prescribed diet Simeon is successful because the average daily weight loss is high due to very low calories. Patients are more likely to stick with the diet because of time constraints – i. e. , Know that the diet will last only 40 days. They argue that “the vast majority of patients are willing to suffer for forty days to lose the reward schedule and the possible amount of 20 pounds.” The author also conjectures that the success is due to the fact that food is prescribed not calories. This eliminates the estimate that usually continues to counting calories. In other

ie, most patients do not weigh or measure food and calories burned correctly. Sohar recommended not to advise patients in terms of calories, but to prescribe in detail the meals.

Another reason for the success of Sohar in the diet is given only two meals a day are prescribed, therefore, contact with food is minimized. Finally, the absolute level of activity is “to enable all the obese, are mostly housewives, to reduce.” Sohar said that his role and work of Simeon, shows that obese patients can lead normal lives performing moderate work in 500 to 600 calories per day.

(1) AT Simeons. The action of chorionic gonadotropin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 November 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.

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