Recent research on hCG side effects shows a reduction in cholesterol levels during the hCG diet protocol. Here is what you can expect.

HCG Side Effects – A Benefit

More than 50 years ago Dr. Simeons described and predicted the effects of his protocol on reducing cholesterol levels. A recent study, published in 2011, examined changes in blood lipids and confirmed Dr. Simeons’ original claims.

The study in question evaluated several outcomes of the hCG diet protocol. The main results of interest (i.e., weight loss and fat reduction) were summarized in an earlier post here: HCG Diet Plan – Real Science.

Statistically significant changes in blood lipid profiles are highlighted by blue arrows in Table 2 from that study below. Data represent mean values plus or minus one standard deviation. This may seem like statistical mumbo jumbo, which it is. However, calculations of statistical significance use of the level variability around the means (i.e., averages) to infer whether the differences “Pre” and “Post” treatment are meaningful.

Those comparisons that can be considered meaningful statistically (blue arrows) are: reduction in total cholesterol, reduction in LDL cholesterol, reduction in the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, and reduction in the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. See below.

Comments

It is wonderful to see Dr. Simeons’ comments about total cholesterol confirmed. His observation that the hCG diet has the effect of loosening cholesterol-bound plaque seems to be corroborated. This study did not, however, measure the progress of that change over time. It would have been interesting to see to what extent cholesterol levels might spike during the protocol, also as predicted by Dr. Simeons, before dropping down at the end of the study.

Modern medicine knows more about types of bound cholesterol now: HDL, LDL, and VLDL. The general guidelines point to more HDL, less LDL and less VLDL as indicators of better cardiovascular health.

The results of this study are nice to know regarding changes in cholesterol during the hCG diet protocol. They can be considered beneficial hCG side effects by many. Although this is good news, it is superficial. In fact, it is well known by many clear thinkers in modern medicine that the issue of cholesterol vs. cardiovascular health is an artificial one that does not serve human health. It only serves a giant pharmaceutical industry that markets cholesterol-lowering drugs. This is a book-length topic, which books and articles have already been written about for more than 40 years. A single blog post could not possible do justice to it. I encourage you to do your own research on it, and while you are doing so, simply do not worry about your cholesterol. It would be pointless.

What About Triglycerides?

Levels of circulating triglycerides may be a more important indicator of health in several ways. Keeping triglycerides under control is a good idea. The data in this study, however, show that among the subjects who underwent blood work, triglyceride levels were highly variable (i.e., large standard deviations around the means). This just means that, in looking at the results, the trend of lowered triglyceride levels from “Pre” to “Post” study measurements was not statistically significant. This is indicated by the green arrow in the table.

The same goes for an apparent drop in VLDL. Statistically, it is not a meaningful reduction.