What is HCG and how does it work?
Our program utilizes an liquid sublingual (not oral) form of (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin HCG) - a prescription drug that is identical to the natural hormone produced in the body of a pregnant female. This hormone allows the body to mobilize fat and use it as energy for both mother and fetus. This acts as a “fail-safe” mechanism when energy is needed immediately. For weight loss, we use only 200 IUs of HCG to capitalize on this same mechanism. Using HCG in this way does not mimic pregnancy; in fact, it can be safely used by both men and women.
What is included in the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)?
The VLCD consists of 3.5 oz of lean protein for lunch and for dinner, two servings of fresh vegetables, and two servings of fruit. Most people feel they would never be able to eat such a small amount, yet after the first few days, their bodies begin to mobilize and burn their excess fat for energy.
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How can I function on such a small amount of food?
The hCG hormone keeps the metabolism elevated and unlocks fat stores. You won’t be hungry because only a small amount of your required energy will be provided by your diet. The beauty of this program is that the deficit of energy required for you to function will come from 1/2 lb. to 1 lb. of fat you’ll burn everyday. Because fat releases so much energy when it is burned, our patients are amazed that they feel energized, vital, and aren’t really very hungry.
How do I maintain my weight after reaching my goal?
The most important aspect of a weight program is not merely losing the weight, it’s keeping it off permanently. Our program uses real food (not powders or packaged meals) so there is no difficult transition and yo yo with your weight. Once you’ve reached your goal weight or size, there is a very specific way to wean off the hormone that permanently resets the fat burning and carbohydrate metabolism. Our patients report that they easily maintain their weight and find even if they eat poorly on vacation or a cruise ( 24 hour long buffet), they can take off the few pounds they gained in a matter of days.
Is hCG safe?
HCG is extremely safe. All women experience very high levels during the nine months of every pregnancy with no adverse effects. The small amount we use for weight loss has absolutely NO side effects.
If HCG works so well for weight loss, why don’t pregnant women lose weight?
HCG works by acting as a catalyst to make fat available to be burned as fuel to be used by the mother or the fetus. This insures the growing baby has adequate nutrition even if the mother is not eating properly due to nausea, poor nutritional intake, etc. To encourage weight loss, we combine the hormone with a very low calorie diet (VLCD) to trigger HCG to release the abnormal and excess fat stores so our the weight loss patient literally is living off their excess fat.
Won’t my metabolism slow down if I’m on a very low calorie diet (VLCD)?
Yes, normally when we cut back our calories and fat, the total amount of calories burned during a 24 hour period (BMR) will decrease because the body goes into a stress or starvation mode. In addition, the stress mode will essentially lock the excess fat stores (in the abdomen, hips, buttocks, etc.) and cause lean tissue or muscle wasting. This happens because fat is really a life-saving source of stored energy to be conserved at all costs. When HCG hormone is combined with the VLCD, the hormone corrects these obstacles to weight loss by keeping the metabolism elevated and allowing the body to release the stored fat for energy.
Wouldn’t I lose the same amount of weight eating a very low calorie diet without hCG?
You can lose weight by simply eating fewer calories and fat, but because the body stores fat during times of deprivation, you will most likely lose muscle and bone before fat. This causes cellular metabolism to slow down, so in the long run, it would make gaining weight easier, as well as decrease bone density and muscle mass. By using HCG with the low calorie diet, the abnormal fat stores are mobilized for energy. You benefit by preferentially getting rid of excess fat (pounds and inches) without affecting your bones and muscles.
The hCG diet includes very few calorie, won’t I get hungry?
Because HCG 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. After about 2-3 days, many patients notice a significant decrease in their appetite. Overall, most people have plenty of energy and feel good while on the program.
Many patients feel they won’t be able to stay on such a low calorie diet, however, they forget that they are not living on just the diet alone. The energy needed is mostly derived from living off their own fat. Some patients still prefer to use an appetite suppressant. We offer a natural appetite suppressant to make it easier for everyone to be successful on this program.
Will hCG interfere with any medications I am currently taking? What about birth control pills or Depo-Provera injections?
hCG does not interact with ANY medications, including birth control pills or Depo-Provera, so there are NO side effects.
Will I experience any changes in my menstrual cycle taking hCG?
Because the amount of HCG given is so small, there are no changes to your menstrual cycle. Likewise, HCG will not affect your ability to become pregnant, nor will it increase your chances of getting pregnant. It is also safe for men and will not negatively effect muscle mass, energy levels, or libido.
Why are some people calling HCG the “Weight Loss Cure”?
HCG is also being called the “Weight Loss Cure” because after reaching your goal weight, the program effectively reprograms your body to use stored fat for energy when calories are reduced for a period of time. Or put another way, it helps you maintain your weight and not regain the pounds you’ve lost. Patients have no difficulty keeping the weight off and can lose it more easily if they have a temporary weight gain due to overeating or temporary circumstances (after holidays feasting, vacations, cruises, etc.)
How much weight can I expect to lose on the program?
Our patients usually lose between 15 and 30 pounds during each 30 day session. Often, people lose 10 to 12 lbs in the first week. We find that men lose weight quicker than women, and patients needing to lose 50 pounds or more will usually lose more during the first 30 day session. The same program that helped a 112 pound petite aerobic instructor lose the last few pounds of fat around her waist, has helped the morbidly obese lose 35 pounds per month.
Does the weight loss slow down after the first month?
Many times what we see is a large amount of weight loss in the first month, then a plateau or leveling off. This does not mean that your weight loss has stopped. Typically, inches are being lost continuously while on the program, and after a period of time, patients will experience another large drop on the scale. Weight loss is thus achieved in this stair-step fashion.
Is hCG FDA approved for weight loss?
No, since 1975, the FDA has required labeling and advertising of hCG to state:hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or "normal" distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.
No research has ever suggested that hCG is dangerous, however it has never been proven to be effective in an FDA approved double blind study for weight loss. Our clinical experience of helping 700+ patients lose weight using hCG since November 2007 has consistently shown that this program is very effective. We choose to use hCG for weight loss “off label.” This means since hCG is FDA approved for other conditions, we can legally use hCG for weight loss as long as we make the disclosure. We feel that denying our patients this program until it is proven effective would be unethical.
Does the program require pre-packaged food or supplements?
The hCG diet does not require pre-packaged food. The basic diet consists of lean protein (fish, chicken, and beef) and a select group of fruits and vegetables. The program works best if the patient eats free range (hormone free) protein and organic or fresh produce.
During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your health status and may add prescription and/or natural supplements to increase the effectiveness of your program. These may include appetite suppressants, thyroid medication, vitamins, and/or natural herbal supplements to support your digestion, blood sugar metabolism, fat burning, etc.
I heard the hCG Injections are the only effective method to administer the hormone. Does the liquid sublingual form really work?
After hundreds of patients, and years of evaluation, the original weight loss clinic using hCG found that there is no difference in the amount of weight loss obtained with injections or the liquid sublingual form. 95% of our patients have used the oral form with great success. The sublingual hormone is absorbed by the tiny blood vessels under the tongue. Oral sublingual (under the tongue) drug administration is also used when patients suffering from angina or a heart attack place nitroglycerine under the tongue. This is the quickest method to deliver the drug.
Does the rapid weight loss cause lose skin or cellulite?
Rapid weight loss with hCG does not cause the excessive loose skin that occurs with gastric bypass or lap band surgery. Cellulite will not increase with this program, however it will not improve either. Patients interested in smoothing the cellulite may choose to combine their hCG weight program with our body contouring procedure Lipo-Ex to smooth cellulite and reduce localized fat deposits. A series of 8 treatments will smooth the dimpled and irregular surfaces, commonly known as cellulite. This treatment feels like a warm massage and requires no downtime.
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