Is the hCG Diet Right for You?

By Nicole Pierce, ND

Recently the hCG Diet has been the subject of much media attention, both positive and negative. This article aims to answer your questions and alleviate your doubts about going through this safe, physician-supervised, and holistic program.

What is the hCG Diet?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone naturally produced by the placenta in early pregnancy. In 1954, Dr. ATW Simeons, M.D. discovered that hCG has a direct relationship with the mobilization of abnormal fat stores in the body. Dr. Simeons hypothesized that hCG acts by modulating the hypothalamus, which is responsible for fat accumulation. The hCG moves body fat from places where it is deposited, making it available for metabolism. In working with overweight men and women with a combination of small amounts hCG and a very low calorie diet (VLCD), Dr. Simeons observed that hCG assists patients in resisting cravings and tolerating a VLCD without suffering headaches, irritability, weakness or other side effects. As the fat is mobilized and used for fuel, hunger decreases in spite of the drastically reduced intake of food.

Although very few calories are being consumed, hCG allows your body to burn on average a pound of fat per day which liberates enough calories into your bloodstream to be able to function normally. Your body is not in starvation mode during this time because of these liberated calories.

Once the Weight Loss Phase is complete (23-40 days), there is a Stabilization Phase for a minimum of 3 weeks, during which additional foods are slowly added carefully back into the diet while watching for any changes in your weight or health. By the time the Stabilization Phase is completed, participants know how to eat to keep their weight steady, and to achieve the optimal nutritional status that supports vitality & health.

Why homeopathic hCG?

Over the last several years, homeopathic hCG has become a very popular alternative to hCG injections for weight management. Compared to injections, homeopathically-prepared hCG is less expensive and easier to administer. Homeopathically-prepared hCG is an energetic medicine and does not contain a biochemically active dose of the hormone. Instead it is diluted to the smallest possible dose that will maximize beneficial effects and minimize adverse reactions.

Because homeopathic products are available without a doctor’s prescription, there are many homeopathic hCG products available on the market. Regardless of the quality of these products - and there are many of questionable quality -- they should never be used without the care of a trained practitioner whose knowledge and experience is critical to monitoring progress and
ultimately achieving improved health.

What makes the Healthy Body Reset Program Unique?

Dr. Pierce’s Healthy Body Reset program utilizes the highest quality homeopathic hCG for rapid weight loss. With this rapid weight loss comes additional opportunities to make core improvements in your overall health. The program is designed to not only to safely lose the weight, but also discover what foods your body negatively reacts to in your diet. The Healthy Body Reset program focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods, and individualized supplementation to gently and naturally reset your metabolism and your health.

When our bodies are assaulted by environmental pollutants, as well as the synthetic hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and additives in our food, our health suffers and it becomes harder and harder to lose weight and keep it off. During the Healthy Body Reset program, patients undergo a supervised detoxification process. As fat is mobilized the cells release toxins that have been stored in our bodies. This creates some risk of new health problems, even as losing extra pounds solves some of the old ones. These issues and their symptoms can often be addressed with detoxification support or other appropriate protocols recommended by the doctor.

The Healthy Body Reset program also focuses on food allergies & sensitivities. This is considered the “gold standard” for diagnosing foods to which people may have adverse reactions to. It involves eliminating common allergens from the diet for the duration of the Weight Loss Phase, then reintroducing those foods gradually back into the diet to determine which, if any, provoke symptoms. The original hCG diet, as outlined by A.W. Simeons in the 1950’s, fits beautifully into the classic Naturopathic elimination diet and functions as a good old-fashioned cleanse as well as a very effective weight loss program. Patients lose weight quickly and efficiently and keep it off by discovering the satisfaction of whole foods and improved energy. In addition, the positive outcomes experienced by many patients include decreased depression, increased libido, better lab results, more energy, lower blood pressure, stable blood sugar, ability to discontinue certain medications, an optimistic outlook, and a feeling of self-determination and control.

Call today for a free 10-minute phone consultation with Dr. Pierce to answer any additional questions you may have and get you on the path to success!