HCG

Presented by: Kaci Westrich, Judith Lucero, Bethany Moon, Brittany Snyder and Caitlin Shanan

September 20,2010

Basic Premise of the Diet

History Developed by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons in 1954

Used as a treatment for obesity

Developed under the theory that Human Chorionic Growth Hormone (HCG) makes fat stores more available for energy production

Usually administered via intramuscular injections

Also available in a homeopathic sublingual drop form

Controversy over actual amount of HCG in drop form

Sublingual drops

Basic Premise Continued..

What is HCG? Hormone produced

during pregnancy

Made by cells that form the placenta

Function: Prevent disintegration of corpus luteum, causing secretion of progesterone

Can also be used to induce ovulation

HCG molecule

Basic Premise Continued..

The Diet One injection of 125 iu HCG daily

Excessive eating allowed first two days

Must adhere to strict ≤ 500 kcal diet from the third day on

Heavy exercise not recommended

Duration is 45 days according to Dr. Simeons’ diet plan

Phases of the Diet

Phase 1 This part of the diet prepares your

body for the HCG produced weight loss

Typically lasts for 1 week

HCG diet supplements are taken during this phase as well as eating apples and breadfruit to help cleanse the body

Supplements are designed to assist the mobilization of fat for use in metabolism

It is recommended to increase water intake and walk for at least one hour per day

Also recommended to plan meals, meal preparation, and shopping for Phase II during this time

Adipose Tissue

Phases of the diet continued…

Phase II

This phase begins when you start taking HCG and lasts for 2-3 weeks

During the first part of phase II, the dieter will fat load for 2-3 days so that the following periods of calorie restriction will no be so difficult

Fat loading provides the body with energy until the HCG begins to take effect metabolizing the body’s fat stores

Here are some fat loading ideas:

Cream cheese bagel, bacon and sausage, ham/cheese omelets, cheesecake, and ice cream with Oreos

The morning meals are supplements, water, and tea

Lunch and dinner will be 3.5 oz of protein, vegetables and a piece of fruit

Protein choices consist of beef, chicken, chilean sea bass, flounder or sole, halibut, or shrimp

Fruit choices consist of apples, oranges, ½ grapefruit, or a handful of straberries

Vegetables consist of spinach, chard, lettuce, beet greens, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, fennel, yellow or red onion, cucumbers, asparagus, or cabbage

Phases of the diet continued…

Phase III This phase requires 2-3 weeks and the dieter may choose to

eat normal, healthy foods without sugars and artificial sweeteners as regular caloric intake

If done properly, Phase III makes it much easier to sustain weight loss

High protein is important

No trans-fats, heavily processed foods, vegetables high in starch, and no fast food is allowed

Cold drinks are limited

Weigh yourself daily, and if you have gained weight, you must immediately go on a steak diet.

Fast for the day drinking tea and water, then eat a large steak with an apple for dinner. Weight should stabilize and return the next day

Phases of the diet continued…

Phase IV This is the maintenance

phase of the diet program

Limit sugars and introduce starches slowly

Stay away form heavily processed food and fast food

Continue a high protein diet

Weigh yourself often

Use the steak day if you gain weight beyond your baseline

Sample Menu

Breakfast

•HCG shot•Black coffee

Lunch

•100 grams of fish•Tomato•Orange•One grissini breadstick

Dinner

•100 grams of chicken•Asparagus•Apple

Pros/Cons

Advantages The HCG Clinic program

must be completed under a doctor’s supervision.

Lose significant amount of weight-”Fast Solution”

While the US Food and Drug Administration have only approved the HCG injections as a fertility drug, it is still legal to use the hormone for weight loss based on off-label usage laws.

Learn to eat healthier, control your portion sizes, and not overeat

Disadvantages

The medication is generally given in injection form

There does not appear to be sufficient evidence to back up the claims of this product

Exercise is not endorsed by the HCG clinic.-they say workouts are good but not necessary

EXPENSIVE

Rebound weight gain-and then have to start the program all over again

The side effects aren’t completely known yet

Women have to stop the HDG diet during menstruation and extend the cycle to 72 days

Scientific Evidence and Analysis After Dr. Simeon’s proposed HCG, a few early studies showed that HCG did aid in weight

loss

Study: Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being.

Published in Am J Clinical Nutrition in 1973

Compared women on same diet with half of women receiving placebo and other half receiving HCG

The study only looked at twenty women

Within a few years of this studies publication, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition had published a number of studies disputing these results

More thorough subsequent studies have shown that HCG is ineffective.

Study: The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria based meta anaylsis

Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 1995

Compared 24 studies on HCG

Concluded that HCG is inneffective at aiding in the treatment of obesity

The American Bariatric Society’s position on HCG is that

1.The Simeon’s method for weight loss is not recommended

2. The Simeon’s diet is not recommended

3. The use of HCG for weight loss is not recommended

At this time there are no known significant harmful medical effects of the HCG injection

Perspective

The diet does not meet adequate calorie requirements Recommended minimum= 1200 kcal/day

Inadequate carbohydrates

Reducing exercise will not help with weight loss in the long run

Where’s the milk??

ADA position on weight loss:

“It is the position of the American Dietetic

Association that successful weight

management to improve overall health

for adults requires a lifelong commitment

to healthful lifestyle behaviors emphasizing

sustainable and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity”

Conclusions

The HCG diet requires extreme diet modifications that are not healthy

The HCG injection does not aid in fat loss and any reduction in fat loss is a direct consequence of the low calorie diet

We’ve had these results for 33 years, yet the diet is still wildly popular

It is a waste of money!

Sources

HCG Diet - Phase 2. HCG Fat Loss. http://www.hcgfatloss.com/hcg-diet-phase-2.htm. Accessed September 19, 2010.

Human chorionic hormone. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_chorionic_gonadotropin. Updated September 15, 2009. Accessed September 19, 2010.

Greenway FL, Bray GA. Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in the Treatment of Obesity a Critical Assessment of the Simeons Method. West J Med. 1977;127(6):461-463. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1237915/?page=. Accessed September 19, 2010.

Ryan, Daniel. HCG Diet Summary-Explore the Different Phases of the HCG Diet. Ezine Articles website. http://ezinearticles.com/?HCG-Diet-Summary---Explore-the-Different-Phases-of-the-HCG-Diet&id=2326104. Accessed September 19,2010.

Asher WL, Harper HW. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being. Am J Clin Nutr 1973; 26: 211-218. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/2/211Accessed September 19, 2010.

Lijesen GK, Theeuwen I, Assendelft WJ, Van Der Wal G. The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteriabased meta-analysis. British journal of clinical pharmacology 1995; 40: 237-243. PMCID: 1365103

ASBP Position On: Use of HCG in the treatment of Obesity. American Society of Bariatric Physicians website. http://www.asbp.org/siterun_data/about_asbp/position_statements/doc5858839311268715587.html. Accessed September 19, 2010

The American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Weight Management. http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8382 February 2009. . Accessed September 20, 2010.