Follow Jeffs hCG Weight Loss

Ok, it’s a new year and like millions of people I’ve also vowed to lose those extra pounds. In November 2008, I embarked on a ketogenic based diet and lost 30 lbs in 30 days (then I lost another 10 lbs a month later). Within 90 days, I lost over 40lbs (going from 223lbs to 182lbs on my 5’11” frame).  It was very successful, and I managed to keep 20lbs off for an entire year.  But the summer was a tough one for me, especially since I love BBQ and Beer. So in my quest to find the most effective weight loss program I utilized the IAPAM‘s  research on the subject. After speaking to many physician members who offered medical weight management programs, I’ve decided to try out most effective (& controversial) program, the Dr. Simeon’s hCG diet. Since the program is so controversial, I decided to blog about as I go through the process.

The weight loss program is based on the protocols developed in the 1950’s by Dr. A.T.W. SIMEONS, MD. It was kept very private until 1976 when he wrote the  Pounds & Inches: A NEW APPROACH TO OBESITY manuscript.  Dr. Simeon’s discovered that using hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in conjunction with a VLCD (Very Low Caloric Diet of 500 calories/day) resulted in patients loosing about a pound a day. To make things very interesting, Dr. Simeons’ stated there are three types of fat, two of which the body needs to survive, but the third is unwanted fat (the fat found around the abdomen, thighs). For some reason this is the only fat his weight loss protocol targets (more info on the 3 types of fat on the IAPAM’s “hCG for Weight Loss Explained” webpage). In addition, the protocol is said to suppress your hunger while on the diet, and have long term results by resetting your metabolism, preventing future weight gain.

Sounds great! Right?  Well as I said there is much controversy surrounding this weight loss program. On one side you have several studies, the FDA and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians saying there is no evidence that using the Simeons protocol (hCG injections and a 500 calorie diet) results in weight loss. And on the other side, you have tens of thousands of happy patients who swear by following this weight loss protocol, they not only lost significant weight (1/lb day), but the diet resulted in no hunger and muscle loss, they lost fat in the “problem areas” (abdomen, thighs), and it reset their metabolism to a “normal” rate which allowed them to eat normally without weight re-gain.  In 2007 Kevin Trudeau’s controversial book, “The Weight Loss Cure they don’t Want You to Know About” was released extolling the benefits of Dr. Simeons protocol which he himself went on and lost 36lbs in 5 weeks. The book drew attacks from medical researchers who challenge the efficacy of hCG in weight loss. These clinicians concur with the FDA, that hCG is not effective in weight loss, and caution patients about the possible side effects of the use of hCG, ranging from blood clots to ovarian hyper-stimulation. Kevin Trudeau shot back saying “There is absolutely no documentation or substantiation backing up and proving these negative statements (regarding hCG being dangerous and ineffective) are true.”  He also accused the researchers of not following the Simeons protocol exactly as instructed by substituting food which was not on the original protocol. In 2009, the Oral hCG Research Center released the “Oral hCG (human Choriogonadotropin) for obesity treatment: a Double-Blind study: Recent findings on hCG oral preparation and photographic results.” This study shows there was certainly weight loss when following the Simeons protocol (taking hCG orally vs by injection).

So to say the protocol is controversial is an understatement! But after talking with many IAPAM physician members who not only offer the weight loss program to their patients, but have tried it themselves, I believe the protocol when followed, will achieve not only the quickest weight loss, but also offer a long term solution (by resetting my metabolism).

Before starting a hCG based program and diet, it is very important you do so under the direct supervision of a physician who is experienced at providing this type of diet to their patients. Some physicians do not understand the Simeons hCG weight loss protocol, so you certainly don’t want them as your guide. My second piece of advice is that please remember hCG is only available by prescription from a physician, Do Not buy hCG from the internet or from someone who says you do not need a prescription. You have no idea where that hCG is coming from, there seems to be a lot of hCG (and other prescription drugs, like Botox) coming from questionable facilities in China. Any hCG you receive should be from a Federally licensed compounding pharmacy located here in the USA (or Canada). I really don’t think the little money you will save is worth the potential health risks (or reduction in hCG potency) by buying it from an internet site (or a weaker homeopathic version that doesn’t even need a prescription).

In my next blog entry, I’ll be going over what you can expect in an hCG patient consultation, preparations needed prior to starting the protocol, and comparing hCG by injection versus taking in sublingually (liquid form under the tongue).

You can read more details about our hCG weight loss research on the IAPAM’s website, as well, physicians wanting to learn details of the how to incorporate hCG into their practice can also attend one of the IAPAM’s Medical Weight Management training programs.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my experience with the Simeons hCG weight loss protocol! And please feel free to leave a comment or question.

Cheers,   Jeff Russell