The HCG diet has caught the attention of most overweight Americans as it promises to help the dieter lose a pound a day without hunger or cravings and without a minute of exercise! The HCG diet was conceived in 1950, by Dr. A.T. Simeons, who wrote in his booklet, Pounds and Inches, that injecting HCG, a hormone produced normally by pregnant women, could end hunger, produce spectacular weight loss results without exercise, and at the same time "re-set" the metabolism centers in the brain permanently. Dr. Simeons published his findings in the prestigious English medical journal, Lancet, however the reports were only "letters to the editor," not peer reviewed medical studies. He wrote and then self published the short booklet, Pounds and Inches which again was simply a report of his observations treating his patients with HCG.
Although many of Dr. Simeons' observations have proven to be true, and equal number have proven to be false and even a few dangerous. The New Pounds and Inches, updates and revises Simeons' 1954 plan using modern-day science and current experience. Here is the Simeons HCG plan updated for 2011:
800 Calories a Day
Dr. Simeons wrote that the total daily calories should not exceed 500 calories and consist of 200 grams of protein, some vegetables, salad and two fruits and a Melba toast. Hundreds of weight loss studies with what are called Very Low Calorie Diets have been completed over the past 20 years. They show no difference in weight loss between eating 500 or 800 calories a day. In fact, more weight loss and protein sparing has been found at the 800 calorie level. In addition, adding 200-300 calories per day, especially in the form of lean protein for breakfast and a little more protein at the evening meal makes a lot of sense.
Lean Protein and Fruit for Breakfast
Dr. Simeons wrote that breakfast should consist of tea or coffee in any quantity, a bread-stick or an apple. This appeals to many overweight people who make a habit of skipping breakfast completely. Many researchers believe skipping breakfast may be one of the fundamental reasons for the increase in obesity since Dr. Simeons' time. Breakfast should never be skipped and include as much low fat protein as possible.
More Lean Protein for Lunch and Dinner
100 grams of lean protein, with a handful of vegetables and an orange or a few strawberries is Dr. Simeons' plan for lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, since Dr Simeons' time, much as changed in family life. Most women are working and in some families the father has two jobs. There is little time to clean, weigh and prepare 100 grams of protein In addition, although most individuals might be happy with this tiny lunch, they may need more for dinner.
Three Fruits per Day and Unlimited Vegetables
Dr. Simeons' protocol allowed for an apple, an orange, handful of strawberries or grapefruit. The recent low carb craze and the development of the glycemic index has revealed that many more fruits and vegetables may be appropriate. In addition, alternating vegetables or fruits suggested by Dr Simeons or limiting such almost zero calorie foods as lettuce and celery makes little sense.
Unlimited zero calorie, zero fat drinks
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons wrote that tea, coffee, plain water or mineral water are the only drinks allowed. He added that saccharin or other sweeteners may be used. Does this mean that other artificially sweetened drinks and foods are disallowed or does it reflect the fact that few artificial sweeteners were available in the 1950-60's when Dr. Simeons did his research? There is an intense debate about the usefulness of artificial sweeteners. Suffice it to say, for most overweight people and especially diabetics this author has found them useful, safe and effective. Since Dr. Simeons approved of Saccharin and Stevia, might he have approved of Aspartame (Nutria-sweet, Equal) and Sucralose (Splenda)?
Eliminate the "Binging: and Overeating in the First Few Days
Dr. Simeons wrote in Pounds and Inches that patients must eat to capacity for about one week before starting treatment, regardless of how much they weigh. Gorging for at least two days is the cornerstone of Dr. Simeons' plan. Telling individual struggling with their weight and compulsive eating to go out and eat as much fatty food as they are able is at first very appealing but there is absolutely no proof that it leads to more weight loss or less hunger. Numerous very low calorie diet plans have been used in the past twenty years. Not one as advocated such "bingeng" as a technique to increase weight loss. All the recent research of fat cells in overweight individuals indicate there are already "filled" and "well stocked" due to years of overeating. Attempting to add more fat to them as advocated by Dr. Simeons even, if that were even possible, seems to be unnecessary to this author.
Six Week Treatment Plans and Lack of Immunity to HCG
None of Dr. Simeons' complicated treatment plans and artificial limitations are necessary. Do people taking HCG administered intramuscularly (as Dr. Simeons insists it be done) really get immune to the hormone or is HCG no different than insulin, growth hormone and numerous other naturally occurring hormones where no significant immunity is seen even after years of treatment? Was the immunity Dr. Simeons thought he observed due to the fact that he used injections of HCG rather than the orally administered hormone? It's well known that taking a medication orally is much less likely to produce anti-bodies than taking it by injection. Was the HCG "immunity" Dr. Simeons saw due to the relative impurity in his HCG preparations as compared to current day HCG? The answers to all of these questions will never be really known. Here are better explanations for the slow down in weight loss Dr. Simeons observed and interpreted as "immunity" to HCG: 1. Normal response to weight loss is to slow metabolism to prevent further weight loss. Slow downs are seen in every diet. 2. Weight loss is proportional to what a person weighs. So after a lot of weight loss one would expect a slow down in the rate of weight loss in each individual. 3. Dr. Simeons' HCG food plan is limiting and boring. People naturally start cheating which causes the apparent slowdown. All of these explanations may play a role in the slow down in weight loss of the Simeons' HCG diet in the past. If a person is doing well on the diet, then there are no reasons to stop, as long as the dieter is taking vitamin and mineral replacements.
Thyroid Hormone Medication
Dr. Simeons plan states very emphatically that it never allows the dieter to take his thyroid replacement medications during the diet phase because the thyroid function becomes normal with HCG. The evidence for this is not presented and this author does not believe it's possible. Patients that are on thyroid replacement therapy should not stop taking their medications, contrary to what Dr. Simeons wrote.
Other Medications
Dr. Simeons wrote that no medications should be taken during the diet phase of the HCG plan. I hope the beginning dieter will never follow this bad advice about stopping all medications. It's simply baseless, often dangerous and certainly not necessary.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Dr. Simeons in Pounds and Inches wrote that vitamin and mineral replacements are not needed, even on a 500 calorie diet. That might have been true in 1950 when foods and drinks were less processed, but certainly not today.
Cosmetics Do Not Stop Weight Loss
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons spends a great deal of time condemning cosmetics as interfering with weight loss. He wrote (in 1950) that cosmetics contain hormones, which interfere with endocrine regulations. Endocrine active substances or hormonally active substances are chemicals that may alter the function of the endocrine system. A variety of chemicals have been found to disrupt the endocrine system in studies of laboratory animals at very high doses and in some populations of fish and wildlife. However, the FDA has found no evidence that ingredients used in current day cosmetic and personal care products cause endocrine disruption or alter metabolism in humans. There is no logical reason to restrict current day cosmetics in the HCG plan.
HCG Can Be Taken Effectively Orally As Well As by Injection
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons explains that his HCG can be given only by injection which must be prepared every 2 days. There are few current proponents of the Simeons Protocol that call for the HCG to prepared every few days and even fewer that require an injection deep into the buttocks. In addition, many studies have found equal effectiveness comparing oral to injectable HCG.
Menstruation
The HCG can be started at any time in a women's cycle and does not have to be stopped during menstruation. HCG is a pregnancy hormone and should not be confused with the "real" gonadotrophins-FSH and LH which are made in the pituitary gland and regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Many of the concepts about the use of HCG in weight loss that Dr. Simeons wrote 55 years ago in Pounds and Inches have passed the test of time. This includes remarkable weight loss, lack of hunger and preferential weight loss from around the belly. However, as presented in the New Pounds and Inches, many of Dr Simeons' techniques have become outdated and some have been proven false. The New Pounds and Inches offers a safe, effective plan for weight loss without feelings of deprivation not available to Dr. Simeons in the past. Many new foods and beverages are introduced making the plan interesting and less boring.
Although many of Dr. Simeons' observations have proven to be true, and equal number have proven to be false and even a few dangerous. The New Pounds and Inches, updates and revises Simeons' 1954 plan using modern-day science and current experience. Here is the Simeons HCG plan updated for 2011:
800 Calories a Day
Dr. Simeons wrote that the total daily calories should not exceed 500 calories and consist of 200 grams of protein, some vegetables, salad and two fruits and a Melba toast. Hundreds of weight loss studies with what are called Very Low Calorie Diets have been completed over the past 20 years. They show no difference in weight loss between eating 500 or 800 calories a day. In fact, more weight loss and protein sparing has been found at the 800 calorie level. In addition, adding 200-300 calories per day, especially in the form of lean protein for breakfast and a little more protein at the evening meal makes a lot of sense.
Lean Protein and Fruit for Breakfast
Dr. Simeons wrote that breakfast should consist of tea or coffee in any quantity, a bread-stick or an apple. This appeals to many overweight people who make a habit of skipping breakfast completely. Many researchers believe skipping breakfast may be one of the fundamental reasons for the increase in obesity since Dr. Simeons' time. Breakfast should never be skipped and include as much low fat protein as possible.
More Lean Protein for Lunch and Dinner
100 grams of lean protein, with a handful of vegetables and an orange or a few strawberries is Dr. Simeons' plan for lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, since Dr Simeons' time, much as changed in family life. Most women are working and in some families the father has two jobs. There is little time to clean, weigh and prepare 100 grams of protein In addition, although most individuals might be happy with this tiny lunch, they may need more for dinner.
Three Fruits per Day and Unlimited Vegetables
Dr. Simeons' protocol allowed for an apple, an orange, handful of strawberries or grapefruit. The recent low carb craze and the development of the glycemic index has revealed that many more fruits and vegetables may be appropriate. In addition, alternating vegetables or fruits suggested by Dr Simeons or limiting such almost zero calorie foods as lettuce and celery makes little sense.
Unlimited zero calorie, zero fat drinks
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons wrote that tea, coffee, plain water or mineral water are the only drinks allowed. He added that saccharin or other sweeteners may be used. Does this mean that other artificially sweetened drinks and foods are disallowed or does it reflect the fact that few artificial sweeteners were available in the 1950-60's when Dr. Simeons did his research? There is an intense debate about the usefulness of artificial sweeteners. Suffice it to say, for most overweight people and especially diabetics this author has found them useful, safe and effective. Since Dr. Simeons approved of Saccharin and Stevia, might he have approved of Aspartame (Nutria-sweet, Equal) and Sucralose (Splenda)?
Eliminate the "Binging: and Overeating in the First Few Days
Dr. Simeons wrote in Pounds and Inches that patients must eat to capacity for about one week before starting treatment, regardless of how much they weigh. Gorging for at least two days is the cornerstone of Dr. Simeons' plan. Telling individual struggling with their weight and compulsive eating to go out and eat as much fatty food as they are able is at first very appealing but there is absolutely no proof that it leads to more weight loss or less hunger. Numerous very low calorie diet plans have been used in the past twenty years. Not one as advocated such "bingeng" as a technique to increase weight loss. All the recent research of fat cells in overweight individuals indicate there are already "filled" and "well stocked" due to years of overeating. Attempting to add more fat to them as advocated by Dr. Simeons even, if that were even possible, seems to be unnecessary to this author.
Six Week Treatment Plans and Lack of Immunity to HCG
None of Dr. Simeons' complicated treatment plans and artificial limitations are necessary. Do people taking HCG administered intramuscularly (as Dr. Simeons insists it be done) really get immune to the hormone or is HCG no different than insulin, growth hormone and numerous other naturally occurring hormones where no significant immunity is seen even after years of treatment? Was the immunity Dr. Simeons thought he observed due to the fact that he used injections of HCG rather than the orally administered hormone? It's well known that taking a medication orally is much less likely to produce anti-bodies than taking it by injection. Was the HCG "immunity" Dr. Simeons saw due to the relative impurity in his HCG preparations as compared to current day HCG? The answers to all of these questions will never be really known. Here are better explanations for the slow down in weight loss Dr. Simeons observed and interpreted as "immunity" to HCG: 1. Normal response to weight loss is to slow metabolism to prevent further weight loss. Slow downs are seen in every diet. 2. Weight loss is proportional to what a person weighs. So after a lot of weight loss one would expect a slow down in the rate of weight loss in each individual. 3. Dr. Simeons' HCG food plan is limiting and boring. People naturally start cheating which causes the apparent slowdown. All of these explanations may play a role in the slow down in weight loss of the Simeons' HCG diet in the past. If a person is doing well on the diet, then there are no reasons to stop, as long as the dieter is taking vitamin and mineral replacements.
Thyroid Hormone Medication
Dr. Simeons plan states very emphatically that it never allows the dieter to take his thyroid replacement medications during the diet phase because the thyroid function becomes normal with HCG. The evidence for this is not presented and this author does not believe it's possible. Patients that are on thyroid replacement therapy should not stop taking their medications, contrary to what Dr. Simeons wrote.
Other Medications
Dr. Simeons wrote that no medications should be taken during the diet phase of the HCG plan. I hope the beginning dieter will never follow this bad advice about stopping all medications. It's simply baseless, often dangerous and certainly not necessary.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Dr. Simeons in Pounds and Inches wrote that vitamin and mineral replacements are not needed, even on a 500 calorie diet. That might have been true in 1950 when foods and drinks were less processed, but certainly not today.
Cosmetics Do Not Stop Weight Loss
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons spends a great deal of time condemning cosmetics as interfering with weight loss. He wrote (in 1950) that cosmetics contain hormones, which interfere with endocrine regulations. Endocrine active substances or hormonally active substances are chemicals that may alter the function of the endocrine system. A variety of chemicals have been found to disrupt the endocrine system in studies of laboratory animals at very high doses and in some populations of fish and wildlife. However, the FDA has found no evidence that ingredients used in current day cosmetic and personal care products cause endocrine disruption or alter metabolism in humans. There is no logical reason to restrict current day cosmetics in the HCG plan.
HCG Can Be Taken Effectively Orally As Well As by Injection
In Pounds and Inches, Dr. Simeons explains that his HCG can be given only by injection which must be prepared every 2 days. There are few current proponents of the Simeons Protocol that call for the HCG to prepared every few days and even fewer that require an injection deep into the buttocks. In addition, many studies have found equal effectiveness comparing oral to injectable HCG.
Menstruation
The HCG can be started at any time in a women's cycle and does not have to be stopped during menstruation. HCG is a pregnancy hormone and should not be confused with the "real" gonadotrophins-FSH and LH which are made in the pituitary gland and regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Many of the concepts about the use of HCG in weight loss that Dr. Simeons wrote 55 years ago in Pounds and Inches have passed the test of time. This includes remarkable weight loss, lack of hunger and preferential weight loss from around the belly. However, as presented in the New Pounds and Inches, many of Dr Simeons' techniques have become outdated and some have been proven false. The New Pounds and Inches offers a safe, effective plan for weight loss without feelings of deprivation not available to Dr. Simeons in the past. Many new foods and beverages are introduced making the plan interesting and less boring.
No comments:
Post a Comment