In the January 2010 issue of CoSozo Living, I wrote an article introducing the HCG Weight Loss program. Recently this program has begun to get a lot more exposure and in response to the various questions that have surfaced due to the media exposure, I’ve been asked to provide an additional article about this approach to weight loss.

Many people in our society today are struggling with weight, and unfortunately almost as many are either struggling with obesity themselves or have a loved one who is. Losing control of your weight is invariably an issue that causes a lot of guilt and self-recrimination, particularly as our society as a whole tends to reinforce the notion that overweight individuals are simply lazy or unwilling to take control of the issue.

Yes, there are some choices that are more supportive of losing weight than others, however, what would you say if you found out that by maximizing the proper functioning of a single gland within your body, you could jumpstart your weight loss and ensure far greater success? More and more overweight individuals are starting to now reap the rewards of research that was performed way back in the 1950’s, which supports just that assertion.

The truth is, weight loss and weight control are complicated issues. It is by far much more than a simple issue of self-control. Your weight is controlled by a complex interaction of genetics, hormones, the environment in which we live, and even glands inside the body. One of the primary glands that controls weight is the hypothalamus gland, which is located deep within the brain.

The hypothalamus gland controls many of our basic instincts such as thirst, hunger, and sex drive. It also controls the storage of fat in our bodies and ultimately determines the set point for your weight.

Sixty years ago, a British physician, Dr. A.W. Simeon, dedicated a good portion of his research studies on the hypothalamus gland and obesity. Ultimately he discovered that improperly functioning hypothalamus glands were one of the leading causes of obesity, and that when the glands were stimulated with human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG), a pregnancy hormone in conjunction with the patient following a very low calorie diet (VLCD), extraordinary weight loss ensued. (For more information regarding the history of this approach, please see the original January 2010 article in CoSozo Living.)

You might be asking, particularly if you are a man, whether HCG is safe to take. The answer is absolutely yes. Let’s also take a look at the different types of fat in the human body.

The first two types of fat are structural fat, which is found within the abdomen and protecting our internal organs and normal fat, which provides the padding on our hands, feet and muscles. We need those kinds of fat. The third is called abnormal fat, which you might guess is the type of fat that we want to get rid of and which typically presents itself as extra fat around our stomachs, buttocks, and upper thighs. This abnormal fat is exactly the type of fat that HCG helps to remove.

Now let’s take a look at our diet. Unfortunately in our country the acronym that is most often used to describe our American diet is the Standard American Diet, which has the appropriate acronym of SAD. Over the last several decades, we have introduced foods such as fast foods and highly processed foods that are high in refined sugars, carbohydrates, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and even hydrogenated oils. These types of foods that comprise the standard American diet adversely affect the hypothalamus and its ability to work correctly. When the hypothalamus is not operating properly, it causes the body to have intense food cravings, constant hunger, a lower metabolic rate, all of which result in a surplus of abnormal fat.

By supporting the proper functioning of the hypothalamus gland through taking precise amounts of HCG, and following through by eating a very low calorie diet, individuals are able to maximize the hypothalamus function at a much higher capacity. As a result, the body is able to use the abnormal fat that normally is not metabolized. There are four phases of the HCG Weight Loss Program, which when completed, results in rapid and safe weight loss and a hypothalamus that has been reset and returned to normal functioning.

As mentioned, the HCG Weight Loss Program is structured into four distinct phases. All four phases need to be completed to achieve long-term success. An initial detoxification phase is followed by the HCG rapid weight loss phase. This is followed by a hypothalamus reset and maintenance phase. The process is quite structured and does not allow for many substitutions or changes from the protocol.

The weight loss experienced with HCG tends to average about 1 pound per day. Most individuals will see weight loss between ½ to 2 pounds per day during the HCG Rapid Weight Loss Phase of the program. The amount of HCG prescribed by your physician varies by your initial body weight but stays constant throughout the program. Side effects are uncommon but may include headache, abdominal pain, increased acne, or a feeling of hunger.

HCG is a prescription hormone. It is used for a variety of medical reasons. It is not FDA approved for weight loss but is used in this manner off-label. You may see internet ads or over-the-counter forms of HCG sublingual drops which are often very dilute homeopathic doses. It is best to see a trained physician provider who understands how HCG affects your body, can review your specific health needs, and oversee the program to ensure success.

There are two ways for HCG to be administered. One way is to take an injection, typically in the abdomen or thigh first thing in the morning. If you prefer, you could instead take a sublingual (under the tongue) drop, typically twice a day. Both forms appear to offer equal weight loss when used in conjunction with the entire HCG Weight Loss Program.

One of the exciting aspects of the HCG Weight Loss Program for those who participate is that most individuals find that they don’t feel tired on the protocol, and even more, they don’t feel hungry. It’s often difficult for folks to imagine, particularly if they are used to eating higher quantities of food, but many find that most of those challenges ultimately end up being emotional or mental rather than true short-term physical requirements.

There are many supportive and tasty recipes that are part of the eating program, some of which are published in association with this article. The basics of the VLCD program includes eating two meals daily comprised of 3 ½ ounces of a lean meat with 2 cups of select vegetables. One serving of fruit is allowed daily. And an unlimited amount of water, coffee, or tea may also be used.

Other aspects of the HCG Weight Loss program including drinking an adequate amount of water per day (1/2 ounce of water for every pound of body weight). Specific supplements (see table insert) are recommended to support cellular health while on the VLCD. Regular exercise such as daily walking is recommended and is critical for success. Appropriate supplements and nutrients are important for normal and healthy cellular function. Regular exercise also has a positive effect on cellular and hormonal function and is essential for short-term and long-term success with this program. You must implement long-term lifestyle changes in order to achieve success.

If you have been struggling with your weight, consider the HCG Weight Loss Program. By concentrating your efforts first in maximizing your own body’s ability to support your decision to rid yourself of abnormal fat, you can provide a better foundation for your overall weight loss goals long-term. The fact is that HCG may be the solution that you have been waiting for!

HCG Supplements

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• Multivitamin/mineral supplement
• Omega 3 Fish Oils (EPA:DHA Essential Fatty Acids)
• Probiotics (good bacteria)
• Alpha lipoic acid
• N-acetyl carnitine
• Chromium picolinate