What is HCG?

Naturally produced in the body by both men and women, HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone composed of 244 amino acids.  When used in conjunction with our 500 calorie diet, HCG stimulates the body to utilize fat stores for energy and to give you a feeling of satisfaction after even a very small meal.  For one round of the diet, HCG is utilized in doses of 125 U per day for 40 days.  HCG is available in a vial kit, complete with alcohol pads and needles or in the convenience of a nasal spray.  If you choose injections, fear not.  Just like those used for insulin home use, the needles included with injection kits are very tiny, only 5/16 of an inch long.

125 U per day of HCG is very safe.  It is created naturally in high volumes by a woman's body during pregnancy to protect the developing fetus.  At some stages of pregnancy, the woman's HCG level can reach up to 1,000,000 U per day.  Although the drug has not been FDA-approved for "weight loss," HCG is an FDA-approved drug that is used to treat infertility in both men and women and to treat underdevelopment in infant boys.  At only 125 U per day, clients on our program are receiving 5,000 U spread out over the course of 40 days.  As a comparison, hopeful mothers are given injections of 5,000-10,000 U per day, during infertility treatments.  HCG is available by prescription only in the United States.

Ensuring the origin of your prescription HCG is vitally important, and it should not be left up to chance.  Low quality HCG is available from other sources.  Some online discounters sell vials of powder from international pharmacies against federal regulations.  At HCG The Diet, we deeply care about our customers, and we will not compromise either quality or availability.  We have partnered with a first-class professionally licensed compounding pharmacy, located right here in the United States, to provide the highest quality HCG we could find.  Our ultra pure HCG products are quality compounded in a state-of-the-art compounding pharmacy and are available by doctor's prescription only.

How much weight will I lose with the HCG diet?

Most HCG dieters who follow our outlined protocol report a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per day, with an overall average of approximately 1 pound per day over the course of the diet.  This is based on averages.  During the diet, you may at times see a slight gain, only to see a loss of 2-3 pounds the next day.  Don't fret. Your body, when following this diet, changes daily; even if the scale isn't telling the whole story.

Is it healthy to lose 1 to 2 pounds a day with this protocol and using HCG?

Studies show that weight lost, following the Simeons protocol, comes directly from adipose fat tissue rather than lean muscle.  In doing so, the weight lost comes directly from fat and does not strip the body of much needed muscle, vitamins, or minerals essential to maintain good health.  While at the same time, your systemr releases excessive amounts of stored fat nutrients into the blood stream to be absorbed by the body.  For this reason, our dieters report a feeling and appearance of great health and marvel at the loss of negative health risks they had as an overweight individual.

Are there any risks associated with the diet?

Our affiliated physician will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the diet based on your medical history, a personal evaluation, and other prescriptions you may be on.  If you closely adhere to the protocol along with the HCG doses, you should not have any problems.  The HCG diet sometimes does, however, result in rapid weight loss.  As with any rapid weight loss, there are some potential risks, including dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, medication balance, and gallstones.  Wikipedia states, that "no clear relationship exists between diet and gallstone formation...However other nutritional factors may increase the risk of gallstones such as a rapid weight loss diet..."  Our HCG diet clients are encouraged to drink lots and lots of water to keep good flow through the liver and gallbladder.  Keep in mind that your body is processing pounds of fat each day, and it is important that you keep your body well hydrated.  If you experience any abnormal symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact us.  We can put you directly in touch with our affiliated physician.  In an emergency, contact your primary care physician or local emergency services right away.

Why the 500 calorie diet?

This particular protocol causes your hypothalamus to mobilize the fat found in the inner deep storage pockets.  It removes fat from these locations and uses these reserves as energy. Even though you have restricted yourself to consuming 500 calories, your hypothalamus is continually releasing the fat stored in your body.  Your body perceives that it is operating on more than 2500 calories a day.  You have now put your body at a coloric deficit of 2000 calories or more and you burn far more fat in the day than you are taking in.  The result is a substancial weight loss each day.  Former dieters who follow this protocol see a loss of 1 to 2 pounds of fat or more per day.

Will I be hungry on 500 calories a day?

It is common for mild hunger during the first few days.  However, this will pass and by the 2nd week you will find even very tiny servings to be completely satisfying.  This is partly due to your hypothalamus adjusting your metabolic rate, but largely due to the amount of calories circulating in your system from the fat being released.  It is common that those who follow our HCG diet program feel as though they are stuffing themselves in order to reach that 500 calorie limit!

Do I need to take vitamins during the diet?

Adipose tissue (fat cells) are filled with a combination of fat, sterols, fatty acids, and fat-soluable vitamins.  You may be surprised to know that your body is receiving vitamins along with energy when fat is burned.  For some individuals who have a relatively good balance of vitamins stored in their tissues this may be sufficient.  However, in general, we do recommend that you take a high quality multi-vitamin during the treatment.  We may also recommend other vitamins or minerals to address other specific issues as well.

Who is a right candidate for the HCG Diet?

This diet is safe for the majority of men and women.  Our affiliated physician will review your medical history and current prescriptions to determine your suitability for the diet.  If you have any concerns about your current medical condition, or if you have a complex treatment or drug plan for some other ailment, we strongly advise you to consult your local primary care physician or specialist prior to applying for our HCG diet program.  Certain individuals are NOT good candidates for the diet, including: women who are pregnant or nursing, women or men who are currently fighting a hormonal-type cancer, transplant patients, Type 1 diabetics, and those with some other conditions.

How about safety and side effects of HCG?

There are rarely side effects reported while using HCG.  Some people experience headaches or hunger during the first few days of the protocol.  The headaches are usually related to sugar withdrawal, consistent with cutting sugar out of the diet.  Hunger usually subsides in a few days.  When the HCG shots are used for fertility reasons, 5,000-10,000 U per day is known to cause occasional headaches and pregnancy symptoms.  However, the amount differences between the HCG used in conjuction with our diet protocol and HCG used for fertility purposes is not comparable.  When we ask clients if they experienced any side effects while on the diet, the usual response is, "The only side effect with the HCG diet is that I lost weight."

Will I gain the weight back after the protocol and What if I want to lose more?

After the protocol, you will find your appetite has changed. Your eating behavior will be changed.  Your food desires have adjusted to a healthier balance.  And your body will, of course, have changed.  This is the perfect opportunity to adopt that healthy lifestyle to maintain your weight.  People who follow the diet correctly, and the 21 day maintenance program, remain the same weight without having to fight the yoyo game.

A minimum amount of exercise will be sufficient for maintaining a very healthy body.  You will also find that because of the loss of weight you now have energy and the desire to be active comes naturally. Find the activity that you enjoy the most and begin living life to it's fullest.  Basic activity gets your heart moving and gives you the caloric burn that you need to maintain a healthy weight.  With your hypothalamus reset, your metabolism will be changed and your eating habits will be more moderate; eliminating the need to overeat.

If you find you have not lost the weight you want to lose in one 40 day protocol, our physician has found success in going back to back on protocols.  The weight loss continues to be consistent and no immunity has been found. 

What is the hypothalamus gland?

The hypothalamus gland moderates the thyroid, adrenals, fat storage, and more importantly, your metabolic rate.  The whole purpose of this diet is to retrain the hypothalamus.  Individuals of normal weight usually have a well regulated metabolic rate, governed by the hypothalamus.  The only difference between the person who is precieved to eat all they want and never gain weight and a heavy person who can't seem to lose weight is how the hypothalamus responds to the extra fat in the system.

Is HCG safe for men?

The HCG used in conjuction with our HCG weight loss protocol is produced in the male as well as female body...just as the female body will produce a small amount of teststosterone.  HCG is present in every human tissue.  This also includes non-pregnant women as well as pregnant women.  Men typically lose their weight more quickly than women. But there are no side effects for men using HCG as a part of our HCG protocol.

Do I really need to eat only organic foods?

No. We have found that those eating the required food or organic and non-organic foods lose at the same rate.

Will I need to change my shampoo, conditioner, or deodorant?

No.

Will I need to change my lotions or make- up?

Yes.  You will need to use lotions without oil.  This is the same for make-up and lip products. If you apply moisturizers or make-up that have oil in them, then the HCG will compete with those oils instead of using the fat stores in your body.