HCG Diet Basics

What makes this diet unique is that it is not a diet in the traditional sense. It is really more of a cure. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is produced by a woman in abundance when she is pregnant. However, not many people know this, but both men and women produce these hormones in their pituitary gland in small quantities.

In 1950, Dr. Simeons, a doctor and an endocrinologist, found out that by injecting small amounts of this hormone into the patients and when combined with low calorie diet resulted in weight loss. Not only did the weight loss happened in a healthy way, it stayed off for a very long time, call it permanent if you will!

The trick that leads to success is to keep the diet under control, eat only from the prescribed list of foods and stick to the protocol. HCG uses a phased approach. Here are the phases in a nut shell, we will discuss them in detail in the next chapter.

The Protocol

Days 1 & 2, also known as the loading phase combined with HCG: During this period, you can consume as much fat as you wish so that you have enough fat stores to keep you going for the next couple of weeks. Start HCG dose as prescribed.

Days 3 – 24, low calorie intake + HCG: As of day 3 you will be required to give up your high caloric intake and follow a strict diet of 500 calories for the treatment’s duration. Continue taking HCG.

Days 24 – 26, Low calories minus HCG: You can discontinue the HCG dosage but stay on 500 calorie diet for the next three days. It is important to limit the calorie intake to ensure that you do not regain lost weight due to sudden increase in calorie consumption.

Days 27 – 48, Stay on low starch: Once the HCG treatment is complete, you should refrain from consuming sugar and starch for at least three weeks. This step will reset the hypothalamus permanently and also conclude the treatment.

Once you have reached the desired weight, you need to continue with the healthy lifestyle that will include natural food diet, strength training at least thrice a week and care for additional factors like emotional binge eating, hormonal deficiency, food allergies etc.

Low Calorie Diet

At the face of it, a 500 calorie diet may seem preposterous. However, this is the beauty of this diet. Because you’re taking HCG you can actually live off the fat that you have been storing in your skin folds! No need to consume additional fat when you already have so much stored. When on HCG diet, your body will target the fat stores and not the lean muscle.

Taking the HCG

There are two ways to consume HCG supplements which are an important part of the plan in combination with the low calorie diet. You can either inject the hormone or take a HCG drops. Consult with an HCG specialist to help you choose the right path for you.

How does HCG Hormone work?

You may be surprised to learn that HCG is not what makes your body lose weight; it is the diet that does the trick. However, the HCG supplements change the way you lose weight. HCG when injected or ingested can cause chemical reactions in the body that helps in natural weight loss.
Because HCG reduces appetite, the patients are able to stay on their strict 500 calorie diet without giving into to food cravings.

HCG, known as pro-hormone, helps the body make more hormones. Since the deficiency or imbalance of hormones can lead to weight gain, this hormone helps by maintaining the balance.
The HCG diet helps in losing the weight by targeting the fat stores and not the body’s muscle tissue. The people undergoing this diet will not only witness dramatic weight loss but will also gain a leaner and toned body with more muscle and less fatty tissue. Improved metabolism will also keep future weight gain at bay.

The New HCG Diet

When the weight loss philosophies of Dr. Simeons were adjusted a little to suit modern science principles, the new HCG diet plan was born. The key differences between the original protocol and the new diet are:

• The new plan customizes HCG dosage as per the individual
• The protocol’s guidelines are also tweaked as per the patient’s age and gender
• The calorie intake varies between 500 and 1500 calories, compared to the stricter 500 calorie diet on the original protocol
• The plateau problem is addressed by increasing the Lipotropic injections and B12 that help accelerate the fat loss process
• Exercise has been incorporated into the diet and recommended as per the individual’s physical state

Getting Started on The HCG Diet Plan