HCG Medical Diet
The HCG diet has been around for decades but is now regaining focus due to the fantastic results many have received with treatment. Many people have reported losing 1-2 lbs a day on the diet.
HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy that is reported to suppress appetite and burn stored fat. These 2 factors are what help in the effectiveness of the diet even though some doctors are not convinced that HCG stimulates the human body in this way.
The HCG Diet controversy stems from the belief that HCG effects the body in the above manner and it is suggested to consume as few as 500 calories a day. Many doctors believe that consuming less than 1200 calories a day is not a healthy way to diet. They believe that the body will go into starvation mode and it would not be healthy long term for a patient to consume these few calories.
HCG diet advocates quickly retort that you body is not actually living off the 500 consumed calories a day but is also tapping into the stored fat that most people have potentially thousands if not many thousands of stored calories that are just being stored as fat on our bodies. The CDC reports that an astounding 65.2% of the US population is either "obese" or "overweight" this is an epidemic in our country and is huge burden on our health system and society.
Addressing the Concerns of the HCG Diet
*Homeopathic Drops vs Pharmaceutical HCG Injections
Recently the FDA has prohibited the sale of some 'homeopathic drops" and over the counter HCG diet products. This was most probably due to the fact that "The claims made on their products labeling and website ... clearly demonstrate that this product is a drug as defined" by federal law. If the product is marketed or meets federal standards to qualify as a drug, but is not FDA approved, it cannot be sold legally, Cleland said.
Pharmaceutical Grade HCG is compounded in a FDA approved pharmacy using state of the art technology right here in a US pharmacy. The patient is given specific instructions and guidance in preforming their daily injections. Peak Performance Health Care receives all of it's medications from United States Approved Compounding Pharmacy's.
*Medically Supervised vs Non Supervision
Many Internet or Homeopathic programs are Non-supervised, this greatly increases the risk and may make it difficult if you are experiencing difficulties in your program.
A Medically Supervised HCG diet program helps decrease risks by the convenience of having regular visits with your doctor to supervise your care. We strongly support this method so you can have regular access to your physician. If adjustments need to be made in your treatment or you have questions about symptoms you are experiencing your doctor will be there to support you.
*500 Calorie Diet (VLCD- Very low Calorie Diet) vs 1200 Calorie Diet
In traditional "medical thought or practice" a 1200 calorie diet was used to encourage patients to diet and exercise. This practice has been used for years along with more radical treatments such as gastric bypass, liposuction and other forms of surgery. Over this time the rise of obesity levels has reached epidemic levels here in the US. Maybe other options can help reduce the epidemic level of obesity in this country.
The 500 calorie a day HCG Diet or VLCD in theory is also tapping into your bodies stored fat and thus sustains your bodies function on more than just the 500 calories a day buy burning the thousands of calories of stored fat. The HCG is facilitating this process and also helping to decrease appetite.
*Working Out on HCG Diet
Fantastic Results have been made on the HCG diet WITHOUT exercise and the diet was designed with a non recognized regimen involved. we however can adjust calorie levels to help you continue your exercise routine as the long term goal is to lose the necessary weight and then retain the weight loss with proper nutrition and exercise.
*Side Effects vs Risks associated with Obesity & other Treatments.
As Doctor Sanjeev Patel (Cardiologist) the risk associated with obesity outweighed the risks associated with the low dose of HCG. We also require follow up visits with our Doctor to help reduce any risks associated with the HCG Diet.
Education of Proper Nutrition & Exercise- After the initial phases of weight loss while on the HCG diet we will work to help you re introduce proper nutrition and exercise to your daily lifestyle.
A couple of Thoughts. Much of the controversy of the diet has to do with the VLCD of 500 Calories a day. Here is what many people think of another form of Caloric Restriction for a short period of time.
Fasting - Research suggests there are major health benefits to caloric restriction. Benefits include reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, insulin resistance, immune disorders, and more generally, the slowing of the aging process, and the potential to increase maximum life span.[1] According to Dr. Mark P. Mattson, chief of the laboratory of neurosciences at the US National Institute on Aging, fasting every other day (intermittent fasting) shows beneficial effects in mice as strong as those of caloric-restriction diets,[2] and a small study conducted on humans at the University of Illinois indicates the same results [3] According to the US National Academy of Sciences, other health benefits include stress resistance, increased insulin sensitivity, reduced morbidity, and increased life span.[4][5] Long-term studies in humans have not been conducted. However, short-term human trials showed benefits in weight loss. The side effect was that the participants felt cranky during the three week trial. According to the study conducted by Dr. Eric Ravussin, "Alternate-day fasting may be an alternative to prolonged diet restriction for increasing the life span"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting
The game of "Survivor"- This game lasts approx 39 days almost 6 weeks. I have seen the players of all sizes, ethnicity's, backgrounds, etc. I have seen them eat bugs, rats and every other thing they could stuff down their face. Do I think they were getting 500 calories a day or had regular medical check ups? Now we don't suggest that is the best way to lose weight but if you get regular medical supervision & eat things like chicken, apples, berries etc well that sounds a little more appropriate.
Use common sense and weight the risks of being over weight vs the risks of being on the HCG Diet. If you get light headed from lack of food, eat something. If you are having other uncomfortable effects from the diet, talk to the doctor. If the diet is too difficult then stop. But the risks of being 20 lbs, 30lbs, 50lbs or more overweight have shown to be very destructive to your long term health.
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