HCG - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is HCG and how does it work?
A: HCG is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone found only during pregnancy produced by the placenta. There are a million units of the hormone produced by pregnant woman. Without this hormone women can not carry her pregnancy to the end.
Q: Is it safe to use HCG?
A: HCG is very safe. Women experience extremely high levels during the nine months of pregnancy. The small amount used for weight loss has NO side effects.
Q: Why do we use a "pregnancy" substance for obesity treatment?
A: This was the great discovery from a British Physician, Dr. ATW Simeons:
The first report on the use of hCG for the management of obesity was published in 1954. He realized that patients tolerated a very low calorie diet without suffering from hunger and weakness. Weight reductions were more satisfactory than those obtained with standard hypo caloric diets. Patients lost more body fat (measured in centimeters) from those regions where adipose tissue accumulation was more conspicuous.
Q: What are the functions of HCG during pregnancy?
A: The function of the HCG during pregnancy is to ensure constant supply of energy and calories to the fetus during pregnancy by utilization of fat from adipose tissue.
Q: If HCG works so well for weight loss, why don't pregnant women lose weight?
A: HCG works to mobilize fat for utilization by the body only when there is a significant decrease in calories and fat. A starvation state must exist for HCG to work for weight loss, we use a very low calorie diet to trigger HCG to help to get rid of the body fat.
Q: Will my insurance company cover the cost of HCG therapy?
A: Insurance company does not cover HCG injection or other form of HCG. The blood test and the consultation visit can be covered by the insurance. If the patient has a fasting blood test in the last 90 days, there is no need for repeat blood test before starting the treatment provided that the blood test is ok.
Q: Will my metabolism slow down if I'm on a very low calorie diet?
A: Normally when we cut back calorie and fat, our bodies store fat and our metabolisms slow down. This happens because fat is really a life-saving source of stored energy. When a very low calorie diet is employed with HCG, the body is signaled to use the fat that is stored for energy or for elimination.
Q: Wouldn't I lose the same amount of weight eating a very low calorie diet without HCG?
A: You can lose weight by simply eating fewer calories and fat, but because the body stores fat during times of deprivation, you will most likely lose muscle and bone before fat. This causes cellular metabolism to slow down. Thus, in the long run, it would make gaining weight easier.
Q: The HCG diet is very low calorie, will I get hungry?
A: Because HCG mobilizes fat and makes it available to the body as an energy source, it naturally reduces appetite. So, even though, you are taking in fewer calories, your body is able to access the energy you have stored. Most people have plenty of energy and feel good while on the program.
Q: Will HCG interfere with any medications I am currently taking?
A: No, HCG does not interact with any medications and there are no side effects.
Q: Will I experience any changes in my menstrual cycle taking HCG?
A: No, there are no side effects from the very low amounts of HCG that we give.
Q: Are there other benefits from using HCG for obesity treatment?
A: Due to the fact that HCG + diet decreases body fat better than any other obesity treatment, Patients feel in a good mood throughout the treatment period. They do not report irritability, weakness or insomnia.
Q: Why are some people calling HCG the “HCG-Cure”?
A: HCG is also being call the “HCG-Cure” because after taking it for weight loss, it works to "re-program" your body to use stored fat for energy when calories are reduced for some period of time. Or put another way, it helps you maintain and not re-gain the weight you have lost.
Q: How much weight can I expect to lose on the program?
A: On average, around 20 lbs. per month. Many times 10 to 12 lbs are lost in the first week.
Q: Does the weight loss slow down after the first month?
A: Often times what we see is a large weight loss in the first month, then we will see a plateau. This does not mean weight loss has stopped. Usually we still see inches being lost continuously and then we will see another large drop on the scale. Weight loss is achieved in stair-step fusion.