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 Adipose Tissue 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

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 Lunch Dinner HCG shot Black coffee 100 grams of fish Tomato Orange One grissini breadstick Dinner 100 grams of chicken Asparagus Apple

Pros/Cons Disadvantages 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.