Simeons Hcg Protocol
Im sure if youre reading this you already know what the hCG protocol is… whether youre pro or con. The diet industry is predatory and it seems everyone is looking to get their hand in your pocket for as much as they can take you for.
Unlike most – who seem to be here just to get you to buy an e-book from a web site so they can profit from a commission, sell you an overpriced homeopathic version of hCG, or give false or inaccurate information (such as hCGbeing BANNED- it NEVERhas been, though as of 1974 the FDAhas required practitioners to inform patients in their opinion there is no evidence that its of any benefit in a weight loss program)Im just calling it as I see it.It seems that most people arent aware of it, but the FDAwarning was stipulated after Simeons Management was sued by the FTCin the 1970s for not mentioning in their print ads that the diet included injections of a prescription medication prescribed for off label use. During the suit the government stated they made no claims that the protocol was either unsafe or ineffective.
Many places are wanting $29-$50 for guidebooks, recipe books, etc.One book in particular – the HCGGuide – states boldlyin the ads its “100%effective”and there are “no unpleasant side effects”. BOTH of those claims are untrue.There are SEVERALfree support groups on the web, no reason to pay moneyto someone whos misrepresented the protocol in their ads. Recipes are available free online, and many who purchased the cookbook thought it was a waste of money.
LOSE A POUND A DAY
Thats somewhat misleading -a more accurate estimate would be a reduction of 10-14% of your startingweight in 30 days. This percentage is fairly consistent regardless on which round of the protocol you are on. Unlike the high priced diets with their paid celebs – a resulting loss of 10-14% of total body weight IStypical.
SIDE EFFECTS
It is irresponsible for anyone to suggest there are none, in fact several are listed in Simeons manuscript Pounds and Inches, andare on the hCGproduct insert. By far the most serious are gall bladder issues and OHSS. On the very small dose of hCGused for the protocol the chance of OHSSis extremely rare, gall bladder attack is possible due to severe restrictions ofdietary fats, but to dateHeadache – 34%Loss of energy – 22%Metallic taste in mouth – 11%Insomnia – 8%Detox rash – 8%Hot flash – 7%Hair loss – 5%Hypersensitivity – 1%
Another notable side effect – change in menstrual cycle.More frequent, less frequent, heavier flow, lighter flow, severe cramping.
MOSTEFFECTIVEDOSE
Dr Simeons recommended 125 IU daily – if that works for you, great. Personally Ive found 125-175 IUthe most effective range, and generally stick with 150 IU. Interestingly some people who start at 150 IU are hungry – and adjusting 25 IU one way or the other alleviates the hunger. Some do better adjusting down, some up. All things considered you wantto use the least amount that quells the cravings. A certain amount of hungeris to be expected during the 1st week of the VLCD, would wait until day 5 VLCD to decide if you want toadjust dosage, and then doso for 3daysuntil you findyour own personal effective dose.
METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION
The Simeons manuscript talked of deep IMusing 2″ needles. For those dosing at home, this would be problematic and of greater risk than other options. MOSTclinics only offer subcutaneous (subQ) supplies and training on injection. With a 1/2″ insulin needle you can either inject subQ in a fat fold at a 45 degree angle, or go straight in which will either be subQ or SIM(shallow intramuscular) depending on the area and thickness of fat in any given area.
Injections ARE the most effective, regardless of what someone else might try totell you/sell you- home made oral drops trend about 6%less effective, homeopathic about 6%less effective than that.
Mediral -the company that makes the homeopathic hCGmost peopleseem to use – warned in their Dec 2008 newsletter NOTto claim thehomeopathic was as effective as prescription strength – doesnt seem that anyone that sells it bothered to heed that warning. Anecdotal perhaps – but a homeopathic doctor who MAKEShomeopathic hCGfor HRTinher practice – opted for the real thing when she decided to do the protocol, and recommends the injections to those who want to “do the pro”.
A “klinik” in Pueblo COinsists theres no effective oral admin of hCG… a company that provides “solutions for bodies” also claimed that – until they started offering it for sale – now its all the rage. Funny how that works.
Bottom line – even the homeopathic provides better results than most any other mainstream diet program on the market, but if youre paying more than $30 for a month supply youre paying way too much. Also interesting to note that the operator of “solutions” in Colorado Springs received a felony indictment for 16 counts of drug conspiracy and distribution, money laundering -but I suppose they wont be advertising THAT little tidbit of news. (to be fair I dont believe hes been convicted of anything to date)
Another note – there ARE a handful of sites that have no affiliation with physicians including hCGwith their packages – some apparently think that committing a class Cfelony isnt a big deal (distribution of a prescription medication without a prescription) – one, hcg wacko,even thinks that if they “give away” the hCG but charge a consultation fee they can skirt around the law – its still a felony. They also claim they make no profit but charge a $650 consultation fee Doesnt get much more predatory or deceptive than that.
BAD MEDICINE
Recently a doctor and author posted a blog comparing the protocol to snake oil – based on reading a meta study. Many people had written comments to the contrary only to be “spanked” for not having anything to compare it to. ( if you didnt dose with NaCl at all -you have no way of knowing whether the hCGwas effective or it was purely placebo effect ) Actually having experience which was to the contrary to his opinion, Isparred with him over a few posts. Not surprisingly – he simply ignored all evidence refuting his position, refused to admit the meta was flawed as it included many studies that didnt actually follow the protocol.
After complaining that the Asher Harper study shouldnt have included everyone who startedbut failed to finish – which of course would slant towards those that received hCG because the drop out rate wasmore than double in the placebo group – I adjusted the results to all that completed the study. After adjusting – the hCGgroup still lost about40%more weight than the placebo group… no comment by the doc. I also pointed out that factually – if merely placebo effect as he contended – the drop out rate should have been consistent between both groups. Again – silence from him. Seems when it comes to the protocol – most physicians arent a part of the solution,theyre part of the problem.
3500 CALORIES PER POUND
You hear that a lot from hard core bashers of the protocol – people whove never tried it yet think their opinion is somehow of more value than actual experience. They claim that you have to burn 3500 calories to lose one pound, and its mathematically impossible to get the results most people achieve on the protocol. Based on their theory – in a months time based on calorie deficit alone – the most I could have lost was 16 lbs – and yet, Ilost 30 lbs in 32 days. Something else they cant explain – its not uncommon for someone to GAIN8-10 lbs during the 2 days of loading. Most take in calories somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000-5000 per day… yet, again using their 3500 mark – a 10 lb gain would mean youd have to eat a whopping 35,000 calories in 2 days to gain 10 pounds.Somethingjust doesnt add up.
IF A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS…
…whats a video worth Or rather – many videos. Several people are periodically posting updates to their success on the protocol on YouTube. Just search “hcg diet” and you can see for yourself.
As with any dietary change you should discuss the protocol with your primary care physician. Sad that many are still unaware of Simeons protocol, and a few – who should be willing to treat with a co-pay and script (approx $150) are unscrupulously wanting thousands of dollars. If you run into one of those – should look for a new PCPand report them to your state medical board. One even tried to justify their price quote, stating they could “lose their license”… which either means theyre lying to you and know they are, or they really think what theyre doing is illegal, but theyre willing to do it for a price. Either way, morally and ethically reprehensibleand notthe type ofphysician anyone should entrust their health to.
You can lose 10-14% of your total body weight in 30 days, safely and with no exercise. (at least no additional exercise over what youre alreadydoing – adding more is counter productive due to cortisol effect) Afteryouve dropped the weight on the protocolyou might actually feel like adding some extra physical activity. Being healthy is the ultimate goal and the protocol can be a usefulstepping stone along that path.
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