Deciding whether any single study is good science or not may seem like an overwhelming task. This is a highly dynamic process that keeps scientists busy looking for ways to study an issue so they can provide clear-cut answers to multiple related questions on any topic. At any point in time, we have many more unanswered questions or ambiguous answers than we have clear-cut answers. This is especially true of research on weight loss.

Nevertheless, you can often find strengths in research if you are good at watching out for weak thinking. Yes, scientists can exhibit weak thinking, just like anybody else. Remember, we are human!

Beware of Weak Thinking

The most common example of weak thinking is the claim, “…there is no evidence for…,” something. For example, here is a quote from Stephen Barrett, M.D., at Quackwatch, regarding the hCG weight loss protocol: “[Dr. Simeons] … claimed that HCG would mobilize stored fat; suppress appetite; and redistribute fat from the waist, hips, and thighs [1]. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims.” This is a very common way to criticize something. If you think about it, though, it would be equally valid to say, “…there is no evidence against…,” something as well.

Barrett followed his comment with a list of references that show negative results, including two that Dr. Simeons had already rebutted (as cited below, the one by Craig and the one by Frank). It is informative that Barrett did not mention the rebuttals at all.

Why is this weak thinking? The main reason is that such a quote is used to criticize the hCG protocol in the absence of any positive results from experimental research. If there, indeed, had been no research, then there can be no experimental results that confirm or reject the protocol for weight loss. Using the absence of data to provide negative support is simply weak-minded and misleading.

Another reason that this is weak thinking, which verges on being unethical, is claiming ‘no evidence’ when, in fact, there is evidence. In the case of the hCG weight loss protocol, there is, indeed good evidence in the scientific literature that confirms the Simeons protocol. There is also evidence that rejects it. You will see examples of both of these studies below.

A second kind of weak thinking, one that plagues the Simeons protocol, goes something like this: “Nobody knows how it works, so it couldn’t possibly work.” This is just plain silliness. Physicists don’t seem to have a problem accepting the existence of gravity, even though nobody really knows how it works. Nevertheless, medical researchers often claim a failure to understand the mechanism of a process as a basis for denying that the process exists.

The final example of weak thinking that I want to explain entails conducting a repeat study that fails to duplicate the experimental design of the original study, then using negative results to condemn the positive results of the original study. This was a common practice in the early years of the hCG protocol. Dr. Simeons sometimes rebutted these studies, which I describe below.

The Importance of Positive vs. Negative Results

Scientific research often provides negative results. Negative results are by far the easiest kinds of results to get, even when duplicating previous research that gave positive results. Any seemingly small variable, if not accounted for, can prevent positive results.

Although getting negative results may seem frustrating, it does provide great satisfaction in analyzing why an experiment gave them and how to design and conduct the experiment better next time. In my own research, once I figured out how to design and conduct an experiment that gave positive results, I knew that I had learned how to conduct the experiment properly.

Unfortunately, negative results are often published, with no afterthought about analyzing the experiment itself and doing it better the next time. This would be cost-prohibitive. Research studies are often conducted by several researchers, working on a study for weeks or months at a time, involving recruiting and keeping track of numerous volunteer subjects. A single study may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Analysis, reflection, and do-overs, therefore, do not happen very often.

I haven’t spoken to you in a while. How have you been and what’s new with you?

I need your help from a scientist’s perspective. What are your thoughts on the following article?

The Medical Science of Leptin Resistance Debunks Recent Weight Loss Hypothesis

CLAIM: The overweight/obese person can lose weight by controlling their Leptin levels to curb hunger by eating only when hungry for the purpose of weight loss with the use of the hCG hormone.

Leptin resistance has been scientifically proven to be a key component in the development of obesity.

The primary function of Leptin is to act on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls appetite and satiety. Leptin signals the hypothalamus to reduce appetite because fat stores are high. This results in decreased food intake and hunger. HOWEVER, medical science has proven that Leptin is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier in obese/overweight people, which means it cannot stimulate the receptors in the hypothalamus. This is called Leptin Resistance. Science has proven that elevated triglycerides (found in the obese/overweight individual) BLOCK Leptin from crossing the blood/brain barrier via the hypothalamus to be released into the bloodstream. This is why obese people have Leptin Resistance. The only way to unblock Leptin Resistance is to LOSE WEIGHT which will also lower triglycerides.

CONCLUSION: There is no merit to the claim that an overweight/obese individual can control their Leptin levels for the purpose of weight loss. In addition, there is NO scientific evidence proving that the use of the hCG hormone for weight loss unblocks Leptin Resistance.