HCG Diet and Weight Loss Protocol Quick Summary
Posted on Nov 02, 2009 under HCG Diet Basics | 10 CommentsHCG Diet Simplicity
Way too many people make the HCG Weight Loss protocol much more complicated than it really is. It is simply a hormone-directed, very low-calorie diet that is ultra-low in fat and carbohydrate. The recent growth in popularity of this protocol, however, has attracted so much nonsense that it is difficult to know what is right and wrong.
Whenever I hold a Q&A session in my store, I always start out my presentation by putting everyone on the same page with a summary of the key points that answer most questions before anyone even asks. They are as follows:
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a complex protein hormone that is produced by pregnant women. Its normal function is to direct the mother to use her own stored fat to nourish a developing fetus.
Different forms of HCG include injectable, oral (sublingual), transdermal (cream), and homeopathic drops. I have no scientific basis for evaluating homeopathic HCG, since it contains no actual HCG. All other forms contain measurable dosages of the hormone.
Native HCG that is isolated from the urine of pregnant women is available under several brand names, including Pregnyl, Follutein, Profasi, and Novarel.
A genetically engineered form of HCG, called Ovidrel, is produced by Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. It is not identical to the complete native hormone. Nevertheless, it works just as well as the native hormone.
When administered to overweight men and women, low dosages of HCG cause the reduction of abnormal fat when food calories are restricted to no more than 500 calories per day. (This would be an unhealthy starvation diet without the action of HCG to derive calories from fat!)
The diet consists of four components in each of two daily meals: 1) a nonfat protein; 2) a vegetable; 3) a fruit; and, 4) a serving of Melba toast. The program also encourages the intake of plenty of water and allows unlimited amounts of black coffee and tea. Stevia is the only approved sweetener.
Key supplements for enhancing results include green tea, chromium, goat’s rue, cha de bugre, CLA, and probiotics. (See below)
Because HCG is a hormone that “trains” specific brain receptors, it advisable to use the hormone for a minimum of 27 days (the 30-day program) or a maximum of 40 days (the 43-day program). Maximum weight loss during the 30-day program is typically 25 lbs. For the 43-day program it is typically 35 lbs. Further reduction beyond 35 lbs. requires an additional HCG series after a layoff period.
Fat reduction via HCG shapes your body by burning abnormal fat. You will not go below a healthy weight level or become too “skinny” – you will simply look the way you are supposed to look when you are not carrying excess abnormal fat.
According to Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, the discoverer of this program in the 1950s, the bonus benefits of the HCG Weight Loss Diet include restoring steroid hormone balance, slowing or reversing the downhill slide of hypoglycemia and diabetes, re-energizing thyroid and adrenal glands, breaking up arterial plaque, reducing rheumatic pain, and lowering blood pressure.
Lifetime Aftercare: HCG-based weight reduction is only the first phase. You must also follow certain dietary guidelines (i.e., no sugar, low starch) for a 3-week second phase. You must also adopt a sensible diet and lifestyle for the rest of your life. This is when right diet, exercise, supplements, and lifestyle are most important for your long-term weight management and total health.
Lifetime Supplements: This is another topic that has attracted a lot of craziness. Keep it simple! There is nothing simpler or better than what I have already assembled at Doctors Nutrition Center for the HCG Diet Aftercare Supplements.
How Effective is the HCG Protocol?
Dr. Simeons estimated the effectiveness, or success rate, at better than 90%. In my experience, this depends on compliance. If you do not follow the protocol, you will fail. Furthermore, if you do not live sensibly after you reach your target weight, you will gain rebound fat. There are no silver bullets, magical drugs, or miracle surgical procedures that can help you if you do not do the right thing.
I hope that helps your thinking a little bit!
All the best in natural health,
Dr. D
by Deborah Solomon, LMT, CRT, CPT, on November 3 2009 @ 6:57 am
I used the homeopathic hCG with good results. I lost about 20 pounds. I changed my scale to a digital scale after a week into the program, so I’m not sure how much weight exactly I lost, but I’m happy with the results. However, I have had to watch my intake since then because I have had to do the “no food, steak only” at the end of one day because I had gained more than 2 pounds.
by Julie Broersma, on May 11 2010 @ 8:56 pm
I have been on the drops for 2 months without a break. Is it necessary to take that break. Thanks.
by Dr. Dennis Clark, on May 12 2010 @ 9:41 am
Hi, Julie…Yes, if you are taking HCG, 250 IU per day, you must take a break to avoid developing resistance to the hormone.
by Dr. Dennis Clark, on May 12 2010 @ 9:48 am
Hi, Gaby:
Carbs are usually at the root of this kind of weight gain, probably due to an imbalance of how you handle fats and carbs together (acc. to the Simeons book). Go as low on these as you can and you should slowly return to your target weight. In fact, I am now finding that a grain-free vegan diet is most effective for me. I’ve dropped 2 lbs from my target weight, in almost 3 weeks, with this approach. Good luck! This is a great way to get slim and healthy after HCG.
All the best,
Dennis
by Karla, on May 16 2010 @ 6:49 am
I am on the 43 day program, into my last week. Since Friday, I have been feeling light headed. When I lie down I feel okay and once I stand up I feel like I am going to pass out. What may be causing this? I am still losing weight, so I figured I am not immune to hcg. I really don’t know what to take to stop feeling this way. Thanks.
by Dr. Dennis Clark, on May 25 2010 @ 10:25 am
Blood pressure will drop while on the protocol, due to loosening release of plaque in the arteries. I felt the same way as you, so my strategy was to stand up slowly to avoid the light headed rush, or at least slow it down. This should be a lot less of a problem as you go further into the protocol.
All the best,
Dennis
by colleen Coble, on June 1 2010 @ 11:29 am
I’ve been delving into your website, Dr. Clark. I just subscribed to your video series. Excellent advice! I’ve done 4 rounds and am down 65 pounds. LOVE hcg! I am especially intrigued with your new pellets. Great product for travel.
I’m one of the veterans on the major hcg forum and one thing I’ve noticed is that a few people on shots suffer from weakness and hunger no matter how much I have them tweak their dose. There seems to be some mechanism involved that renders the hcg ineffective. Do you have any insight on that?
by Midgy, on June 3 2010 @ 11:36 am
Hi Dr Clark, I love your website! I’ve read everything! I am in the Minneapolis, MN, area and found a clinic down here just last week that prescribes the 250 IU pellets. I started the pills on Friday and the 500 calorie diet Sunday. Then the following day I found your website, I wish I would have found your site first so I could have ordered through you! The Dr is nice, however he doesn’t seem as knowlegable as you so I’m finding some discrepancies from what I read online and what this Dr is telling me. I was hoping to get your opinion. I guess I know what your answers are based on what I’ve read on your website, but are these things really a big deal or can I just go along with what this doctor says? 1) I’ve read that you should stop after 40 days, however this guy says I can go for 60 days. 2) I’ve read about taking 1 day off each week when going over 23 days, this guy says not to bother. 3) I’ve read not to weight lift, this guy says go for it. 3) I’ve read to not take pills during or after menses (I’ve read both ideas), but this guy said to just keep taking them. I’m doing great so far, only hungry at meal times, and I’ve did 4 days of the 500 calorie diet and down 6 pounds already. I’d like to lose a total of 60-70. Thanks, I really appreciate it!
by Dr. Dennis Clark, on June 5 2010 @ 8:54 am
Wow…what a lot of modifications by your doctor! Here is my input: 1) you develop resistance to HCG at about 40 days, so when that happens it stops working; recovery from resistance takes 6-8 weeks; 2) the one day a week off is from the original protocol with injections; no such recommendation with drops; 3) weight lifting, or any kind of exercise, is irrelevant to the protocol; I’ve had clients keep lifting or exercising without problems; the main side effect is less strength while on the HCG; 4) taking HCG during menses is simply a waste, since you produce a hormone that is one component of HCG, in a million-times concentration from what you take for weight loss; standard recommendation is to stop taking the hormone during 3-4 days of heaviest flow. Keep up the good work. You may require 3 or more series to get your goal. Many others have already done so, which means that you can, too.
Cheers,
Dennis
by Dr. Dennis Clark, on June 5 2010 @ 9:08 am
Yes, some of this kind of observation pops up now and then. Resistance to HCG is probably more common than we think. My notion is that is has to do with the leptin receptors in the hypothalamus, because they seem to have some influence on how HCG works in the hypothalamus. Research on their interdependency is too new to tell for sure so far, and it only involve lab animals. Time will tell. I’d bet money the answer involves the extent of leptin resistance, which leads to out of control fat gain in the first place.
Cheers,
Dennis