1. HCG
Presented by: Kaci Westrich, Judith Lucero, Bethany Moon, Brittany Snyder and Caitlin Shanan
September 20,2010

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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”

13. 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!

14. Sources
HCG Diet - Phase 2. HCG Fat Loss. Accessed September 19, 2010.
Human chorionic hormone. Wikipedia. Updated September 15, 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): Accessed September 19, 2010.
Ryan, Daniel. HCG Diet Summary-Explore the Different Phases of the HCG Diet. Ezine Articles website. Summary---Explore-the-Different-Phases-of-the-HCG-Diet&id= 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: 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: PMCID:
ASBP Position On: Use of HCG in the treatment of Obesity. American Society of Bariatric Physicians website. Accessed September 19, 2010
The American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Weight Management. February Accessed September 20, 2010.