MAY 15, 2012 hCG DIET

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”


― Lao Tzu

Reality is reality. You cannot change that. Change happens every day and every minute of the day. Change often creates fear. Do not let fear stop you from change. Always move in the forward direction. Look at the past as a learning experience. Do not project into the future. Let go of your expectations of people, places and things. Life should be like a stream--let it flow. In the stream there are rocks, twigs, branches and mud piles. These are the obstacles. Learn to let your life flow around them.


How many diets have you tried? Did you try a dietary lifestyle change or just a fad diet to lose weight? There are more 250 diets on the market and many of them are written in books. I worked for one of the biggest diet gurus until his death. His name was Robert Atkins, MD. Many of the diets today are direct derivatives of the Atkins low carbohydrate lifestyle. There is South Beach diet which is  a low carbohydrate lifestyle with better sources of protein than the high animal protein of Atkins. Actually South Beach is really a modified Atkins dietary lifestyle.

I have reviewed many diets in my clinical years. I have reviewed Ornish, Weight Watchers, Sugar Busters, Protein Power, Estelyn et al.

Many of my patients have tried and asked me about the hCG diet. The hCG weight loss program is based on the power of hCG to improve your metabolism. hCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a hypothalamic  hormone that, when present in your body in adequate levels, controls many metabolic functions. Combined with a special diet of 500 calories a day, hCG can force your body to utilize the stored fat in your body helping you to lose weight rapidly.  A physician has to be familiar and be enrolled as an hCG physician. I find it very difficult for some patients to maintain a daily allowance of only 500 calories. Of course, using hCG does allow this to be done. One of my patients lost 30 lbs. When she stopped the hCG program she gained 20 of her thirty pounds back as she couldn't restrict herself/himself to 500 calories.
It is a medically advised dietary program.  The hCG diet has been around longer than you might think.

The hCG diet was developed in Italy in the 1930s and 1940s by the late Dr A.T.W. Simeons M.D. Dr. Simeons spent over 20 years searching for the proper combination of hormones and foods to achieve unprecedented weight loss. This method has been used by medical doctors all over the world since the late 1950’s. Hundreds of thousands of patients have safely and successfully used this diet to lose weight. The hCG diet for weight loss effectively addresses your metabolic and hormonal imbalances likely caused by a lifetime of exposure to environmental toxins, stress and denatured or altered foods —that can negatively impact your metabolism and your waistline. 

Dr. Albert T. W. Simeons, (1900–1970), English endocrinologist, schooled in Germany. During a short stay in Africa he became interested in finding a cure for tropical diseases. Then he went to India in 1930. He was awarded with the Red Cross Order of Merit for his discoveries in new methods that could lead to a cure for malaria.

While in India he also became involved with an endocrine disorder called adiposogenital dystrophy. This disorder attributed to the pituitary gland would cause extreme obesity while delaying puberty in young teen aged boys. Dr. Simeons believed that if human Chorionic Gonadotropin was administered in very low doses while eating a very low calorie diet extreme weight loss occurred. Scientific consensus does not support Simeons's claims finding no weight loss attributable to the use of hCG


 I feel from more than the average blood tests that I order for patients especially serum (blood) levels of toxins, food allergy IgG testing, insulin levels, a possible glucose tolerance test and the 'right' thyroid testing
I address the root of the problems. There are also many psychosocial issues that need to be discussed with the patient including addictions, meditation, self esteem and hobbies, anger/resentment, forgiveness and self like or self love.  I address the root of the problem as does the hCG diet

I reduce risk factors associated with obesity such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and elevated cholesterol, while repairing your metabolism and improving your relationship with food. I go Beyond Cholesterol. Americans are obsessed with their bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Do you know your Triglyceride (TG) to Good Cholesterol (HDL) ratio? Have you had your high sensitive CRP checked? What is your serum (blood) mercury level?

The hCG diet plan is designed to severely limit caloric intake.Some individuals cannot reduce their caloric intake to 500 calories. hCG diet feels that the actual nutrition you will be getting will come from your own body fat.

The diet provides for two servings each day of low-fat, high-quality protein, which is needed to keep you from losing muscle mass. The diet is only done for a short amount of time (four to six weeks) and is not designed for the long term. No diet is for long term. I do not think the word diet should be used regardless of what you are following. It is a dietary lifestyle change no matter what diet you are following  It SHOULD ALWAYS be a change in lifestyle  The very low caloric intakeof the hCG diet is similar to the induction phase of Atkins and then you go to the maintenance phase which is equivalent to the On-Going Weight Loss Phase (O.W.L.)

I feel greater success comes when you explore your relationship with food as you make changes in your dietary lifestyle. Discuss your psychosocial issues with your doctor. The problem is many doctors do not have enough time. Do not follow a diet through a book.

Protein is a major component of the hCG diet for weight loss plan. hCG info recommends that you eat two 100 gram servings of low fat chicken breast, white fish, lean beef or veal each day. Consuming two servings of high-quality protein each day can provide you with the essential amino acids needed to sustain adequate health. I agree that protein (moderate amount ) from any source other than red meat is the way to go. It is better to have snacks between each meal and eat every 2-3 hours.


The hCG diet program  can have long-lasting effects on improving your metabolism and your enhancing your relationship with food. As part of the hCG info, you’ll learn about portion size, and how to choose more nutritious foods than you may normally eat.  This is with any dietary lifestyle change. The secret of the diet is the administration of hCG into your system. Many people rely on that and do not always change dietary habits. This is why many gain weight after using hCG.

Do a lifestyle change in moderation with as much guidance as possible. For those who want a quick fix or have an addictive personality I can see this working. I also have the many 'brides' to be use Victoza or Byetta pens to lose inches rather than stop their bread or chocolate. Another quick fix.

You must be motivated in any dietary LIFESTYLE change

You also must exercise which I didn't see mentioned in the introduction of the hCG diet. And where is the meditation?

Whatever you chose- make it part of your life!
Until tomorrow...