What is hCG?

HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.  It is a hormone/protein substance that is produced in many tissues of the body, in both men and women.  It is produced in higher amounts  in pregnant women as hCG causes the release of stored body fat used to supply energy or calories to protect and nourish the baby.

How does hCG support weight loss?

Based on Dr. Simeon’s clinical observations, when hCG is combined with a very low calorie diet (VLCD) consisting of very specific foods, a person can expect healthy weight loss from fat of between 1-3 pounds per day.  This occurs as a result of abnormal fat stores being broken down and released into the blood stream and used for energy production.  This breakdown of stored fat is what allows an individual to lose the type of weight that is considered healthy and acceptable.  Not only does hCG appear to cause weight loss from fat but, also spares the loss of valuable muscle mass.  In addition to the loss of unwanted fat, the true benefit of the hCG protocol is its ability to help modify an individual’s relationship with food and eating, resulting in easily maintained and long term weight loss.

How does the hCG protocol differ from a 500 calorie diet without using hCG?

Many individuals will argue that eating any 500 calorie diet will result in weight loss, with or without the use of hCG.  Based on the law of thermodynamics (calorie in versus calories out), one might conclude that any calorically restrictive diet with an accompanying increase in calories burned will result in weight loss.  Our response.  We agree!  Any 500 calorie diet will result in some degree of weight loss.  The difference is that hCG causes pure body fat to be lost whereas a diet of 500 calories without hCG will certainly result in loss of muscle.

There is certainly no argument with this thinking.  A person cannot eat 3,500 calories per day and only burn ,1,500 and not expect to gain weight.  However, we also know that if a person creates a caloric deficit that causes them to fall below their Resting Metabolic Rate or RMR, which represents the number of calories that person needs to support normal physiology at complete rest, that person will certainly lose weight through loss of vital muscle tissue.

Following this thinking, a person who follows the hCG protocol of only 500 calories, weight loss from muscle should also occur.  However, it does not!  hCG, through its affect on breaking down and utilizing stored fat, the body is releasing calories from fat on the order of 1,500-3,000 calories per day, in addition to the 500 calories consumed through food intake.  The result is a supply of between 2,000 - 3,500 calories per day.  This utilization of  fat along with the VLCD provides the body with the fuel it requires to maintain normal and healthy function without causing a state of deprivation.  Muscle is preserved and unhealthy fat is lost.

In addition, due to this supply of calories, a person following the hCG protocol with have sustained energy and appetite is controlled. 

Not convinced?  Ask yourself this question.  Have you ever tried to lose weight by following a VLCD along with exercise and lost 1-3 pounds per day?  Did you feel ravenously hungry and energy deprived?  Or ask yourself this simple question:

“Am I seeing the results I would expect based on the time I am investing in my exercise program and dietary changes?” If not, maybe it is time to do something different.

Will I gain the weight back once I am finished?

This is a very common question.  I imagine that it stems from most peoples  multiple experiences in trying to lose weight.  It most likely began with modest signs of  weight loss and then ended with that person gaining the weight back plus a few extra pounds for good measure.  I am sure that this is a familiar description.

One of the other described benefits of the hCG protocol are the effects that hCG has on the functioning of the hypothalamus.  Some of the known functions of the hypothalamus are to control the adrenal glands, thyroid gland and to regulate metabolism.  Dr. Simeon’s believed that the hypothalamus is “re-set” following the hCG protocol, resulting in a correction of hypothalamic function and in a sense, a new metabolic set point.  Once hypothalamic function is optimized, an individual is able to easily maintain his or her new weight after returning to a more normalized and healthy diet.

Will I feel hungry on the hCG protocol?

Because hCH mobilizes fat and makes it available to the body as an energy source, it naturally reduces appetite.  So even though you are taking in fewer calories, your body can access the energy you have stored in fat cells.  Overall, most people have plenty of energy and feel good while on the program.

Will hCG interfere with any medications I am taking?

hCG drops do not interfere with any medications such as birth control pills including Depo-Provera.