The HCG Diet Fraud
Posted By:
AfSD™(ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™)
The HCG Diet Fraud
posted by Lissa Rankin Mar 15, 2011
No! Not again! Stop the madness!
I live in Marin County, the land of the fit, thin, and affluent, so
the ads for the recently revived but long ago unproven HCG diet abound.
“LOSE 40 POUNDS AND YOUR BELLY FAT IN 6 WEEKS WITHOUT HUNGER, AND KEEP
IT OFF!” As an MD who ran an integrative medicine center before
switching to a coaching practice, I just have one thing to say. Bullshit.
the ads for the recently revived but long ago unproven HCG diet abound.
“LOSE 40 POUNDS AND YOUR BELLY FAT IN 6 WEEKS WITHOUT HUNGER, AND KEEP
IT OFF!” As an MD who ran an integrative medicine center before
switching to a coaching practice, I just have one thing to say. Bullshit.
Hear me out.
What Is The HCG Diet?
It’s based on the work of Dr. Albert Simeons from the 1950’s, who
touted HCG as the miracle weight loss drug, claiming that this hormone,
procured from the urine of pregnant women, would help fat melt away,
reduce your appetite, and make you magically lose weight in all the
right places. He also claimed that this hormone would change your
metabolic rate, making you unlikely to gain weight once you stopped the
diet.
touted HCG as the miracle weight loss drug, claiming that this hormone,
procured from the urine of pregnant women, would help fat melt away,
reduce your appetite, and make you magically lose weight in all the
right places. He also claimed that this hormone would change your
metabolic rate, making you unlikely to gain weight once you stopped the
diet.
Keep in mind that HCG is a hormone most commonly used in fertility
treatments and to aid adolescents with endocrine problems during
puberty. It is not — and never had been — a weight loss drug.
treatments and to aid adolescents with endocrine problems during
puberty. It is not — and never had been — a weight loss drug.
Dr. Simeon did a study to “prove” his claims, but no other
researchers were ever able to reproduce his work. After the HCG diet
was discredited by the scientific community, the diet mostly
disappeared until 2007, when infomercial king Kevin Trudeau began
promoting it as the secret diet your doctor isn’t telling you about.
And suddenly, products appeared all over the internet and doctors at
integrative and alternative medicine centers started jumping on the
bandwagon, causing the diet to experience an unfortunate resurgence.
Variations of the diet exist, but most require daily HCG injections,
drops, or sublingual dosing, and costs can run you up to $1500/month
(padding the pockets of many a doc). The pregnancy hormone is combined
with a highly restricted, low calorie diet of 500 calories/day.
researchers were ever able to reproduce his work. After the HCG diet
was discredited by the scientific community, the diet mostly
disappeared until 2007, when infomercial king Kevin Trudeau began
promoting it as the secret diet your doctor isn’t telling you about.
And suddenly, products appeared all over the internet and doctors at
integrative and alternative medicine centers started jumping on the
bandwagon, causing the diet to experience an unfortunate resurgence.
Variations of the diet exist, but most require daily HCG injections,
drops, or sublingual dosing, and costs can run you up to $1500/month
(padding the pockets of many a doc). The pregnancy hormone is combined
with a highly restricted, low calorie diet of 500 calories/day.
The pregnancy hormone tricks the body into believing that you’re
pregnant, and because you’re starving the body, it starts eating away at
fat — and you get no hunger pangs! Sounds good, right?
pregnant, and because you’re starving the body, it starts eating away at
fat — and you get no hunger pangs! Sounds good, right?
What Can You Eat?
Dr. Simeons diet allowed starvers to eat no breakfast other than
coffee or tea, but for lunch or dinner, they can eat the following:
coffee or tea, but for lunch or dinner, they can eat the following:
Unlimited coffee or tea with saccharin or stevia but only 1 Tbsp milk per day
100 grams of lean meat, protein or seafood
Only one type of veggie from the following list: spinach, chard,
chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red
radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage
chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red
radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage
One breadstick or melba toast
An apple, orange, a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit
Variations on the diet abound, but you get the gist.
Is It Healthy?
First off, let’s start with talking about health. The FDA recommends
that inactive women eat a 1500 calorie/day diet to ensure adequate
nutrition. Your brain alone needs 600 calories/day to function normally.
The body needs protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
in order to perform important metabolic functions. Even hospitalized
people unable to eat are given nutrients through the IV. You simply
can’t be healthy unless you get adequate nutrition.
that inactive women eat a 1500 calorie/day diet to ensure adequate
nutrition. Your brain alone needs 600 calories/day to function normally.
The body needs protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
in order to perform important metabolic functions. Even hospitalized
people unable to eat are given nutrients through the IV. You simply
can’t be healthy unless you get adequate nutrition.
So at a caloric intake which is 1/3 the low end of the recommended
caloric allotment, the body suffers. Most anorexics consume around 500
calories per day. So sure, people on this diet lose weight.
caloric allotment, the body suffers. Most anorexics consume around 500
calories per day. So sure, people on this diet lose weight.
Does It Really Work?
Long story short, the answer is no. It doesn’t work. Starving your
body is not the answer. Research shows that HCG doesn’t cause weight
loss. It’s not safe. It’s unsustainable. And who can stick to a 500
calorie/day diet? So you wind up feeling like crap because you’ve paid
all this money and find yourself cheating. Which sends you to the
freezer for a pint of Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s and a self-hate fest.
body is not the answer. Research shows that HCG doesn’t cause weight
loss. It’s not safe. It’s unsustainable. And who can stick to a 500
calorie/day diet? So you wind up feeling like crap because you’ve paid
all this money and find yourself cheating. Which sends you to the
freezer for a pint of Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s and a self-hate fest.
Numerous studies have shown that people do not lose weight beyond
what they would lose with such severe calorie restricting (also known
as “starving”). And they lose weight where people usually lose weight,
not in some special ideal distribution of belly, thighs, and butt.
Sure, there’s a placebo effect, but almost all drugs have a placebo
effect. If you think you’ll lose weight and are paying a boatload of
money for it, you’re simply more likely to lose weight. But it doesn’t
mean it actually works, as a CNN article recently confirmed. WebMD agrees.
what they would lose with such severe calorie restricting (also known
as “starving”). And they lose weight where people usually lose weight,
not in some special ideal distribution of belly, thighs, and butt.
Sure, there’s a placebo effect, but almost all drugs have a placebo
effect. If you think you’ll lose weight and are paying a boatload of
money for it, you’re simply more likely to lose weight. But it doesn’t
mean it actually works, as a CNN article recently confirmed. WebMD agrees.
The Whole Thing Is A Freakin’ Fraud
Because of the research, Dr. Simeons diet was discredited, and in
1976, the FTC ordered his clinics to stop claiming that their HCG diet
was safe, effective, and FDA-approved for weight loss. Since 1975, the
FDA has required that HCG be labeled with the following:
1976, the FTC ordered his clinics to stop claiming that their HCG diet
was safe, effective, and FDA-approved for weight loss. Since 1975, the
FDA has required that HCG be labeled with the following:
HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy
in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it
increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction,
that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or
that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with
calorie-restricted diets.
in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it
increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction,
that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or
that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with
calorie-restricted diets.
But how many people paying all this money read the fine print on their injected medication?
These products are also all over the internet, and people are using
this diet with no medical supervision whatsoever, which totally freaks
me out. And yet, people are in such pain from their desire to be thin
that they will do anything for a quick weight loss fix. It breaks my
heart.
this diet with no medical supervision whatsoever, which totally freaks
me out. And yet, people are in such pain from their desire to be thin
that they will do anything for a quick weight loss fix. It breaks my
heart.
How The HCG Diet Differs From Cheating
I’m currently in the midst of a green juice cleanse, so you might ask
how this kind of starvation diet differs from the popular detox
cleanses. And it’s a good question. Some cleanses lack any nutrients and
can be downright dangerous to your health and wellbeing and may be
used repetitively as a form of eating disorder. But the one I’m doing
is a nutritional cleanse consisting of fresh green juices, avocados,
sprout salad, seaweed broth, herbal tea, stevia lemonade, and vegan
soups. You eat healthy calories, although your caloric intake is
admittedly limited. But because of the nature of what you do eat, the
body starts to unload its toxic burden. And because cleansing the way I
do is very self-love based, the weight you lose tends to stay off
because you feel so great that you’re motivated to continue your
program of radical self care. For more on cleansing, read my friend Kris Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Diet or read her blog at CrazySexyLife.com and sign up for our newsletter if you want to be notified about the cleanse program we will be launching soon at OwningPink.com.
how this kind of starvation diet differs from the popular detox
cleanses. And it’s a good question. Some cleanses lack any nutrients and
can be downright dangerous to your health and wellbeing and may be
used repetitively as a form of eating disorder. But the one I’m doing
is a nutritional cleanse consisting of fresh green juices, avocados,
sprout salad, seaweed broth, herbal tea, stevia lemonade, and vegan
soups. You eat healthy calories, although your caloric intake is
admittedly limited. But because of the nature of what you do eat, the
body starts to unload its toxic burden. And because cleansing the way I
do is very self-love based, the weight you lose tends to stay off
because you feel so great that you’re motivated to continue your
program of radical self care. For more on cleansing, read my friend Kris Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Diet or read her blog at CrazySexyLife.com and sign up for our newsletter if you want to be notified about the cleanse program we will be launching soon at OwningPink.com.
Why Quick Fixes Never Work
So why is everybody jumping on the HCG bandwagon? Because everybody
wants a quick fix. The diet promises 40 pounds of weight loss in six
weeks. People will do anything to feel more beautiful, more valuable,
more desired, more socially acceptable.
wants a quick fix. The diet promises 40 pounds of weight loss in six
weeks. People will do anything to feel more beautiful, more valuable,
more desired, more socially acceptable.
But losing weight from a place of hatred is never sustainable.
If you’re starving yourself to fit in because you hate your belly
fat, forget it. Not only does the research prove that it won’t work in
the long term; you can guarantee you won’t feel better about yourself
even if you do lose weight. Read here for tips on how to lose weight with love.
fat, forget it. Not only does the research prove that it won’t work in
the long term; you can guarantee you won’t feel better about yourself
even if you do lose weight. Read here for tips on how to lose weight with love.
Do Yourself A Favor & Steer Clear
Don’t be tempted, my friends. The HCG diet is unsafe, it doesn’t
work, and it’s little more than beautifully packaged snake oil. So do
your body and your pocketbook a favor and steer clear.
work, and it’s little more than beautifully packaged snake oil. So do
your body and your pocketbook a favor and steer clear.
Instead, if you need to lose weight to be healthy, do it the good old
fashioned way that really works. I know everyone wants a quick fix,
but real, sustainable weight loss comes from eating less, focusing on a
whole foods, largely veggie-based diet rich in superfoods and green juices. And you can’t forget exercise.
fashioned way that really works. I know everyone wants a quick fix,
but real, sustainable weight loss comes from eating less, focusing on a
whole foods, largely veggie-based diet rich in superfoods and green juices. And you can’t forget exercise.
If you’re really motivated to lose weight the healthy way, you must
start by getting out of your own way and doing the mental, emotional,
and spiritual work to get you ready for the healthy body you desire. So
sign up for the free Get Out Of Your Own Way mini e-course here
and stay tuned for more on healthy, self-loving weight loss, radical
self care, and the personal changes you’ll need to undertake in order to
lose weight with love.
start by getting out of your own way and doing the mental, emotional,
and spiritual work to get you ready for the healthy body you desire. So
sign up for the free Get Out Of Your Own Way mini e-course here
and stay tuned for more on healthy, self-loving weight loss, radical
self care, and the personal changes you’ll need to undertake in order to
lose weight with love.
What do you think? Have you tried this diet? Did I convince you to
steer clear? What weight loss techniques have worked for you? Dish.
steer clear? What weight loss techniques have worked for you? Dish.
Source:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-hcg-diet-fraud.html?page=2
Please join me at Friendburst
good blog sister. this sort of dieting is of course another scam to make money, n nothing more than that. as article points out, it’s certainly not a healthy diet and of course the best way to stay fit n thin is to make a healthy organic vegan diet your diet for life. did you write this article?
one cleanse i have done seemed to be good for me and others i know who practice it, let me see if i can find it in files….
before i post will tell of my experiences doing this:
ist day: feeling tired hungry n weak…went for long walk in the woods, some steep terrain, shouldn’t have 🙂
2nd day: feeling bit hungry still a bit weak, was good to just hang out n not do much
3rd day : quite a dramatic difference in energy, felt very alive, light, and energetic. not very hungry
4th day : more energetic, was amazed at how engergized i was! not hungry at all.
5th day thru 10th day : more of the same !*!*!*!*!**
it’s quite a long file, so won’t post the whole thing, just excerpts that are pertainent :
STANELY BURROUGHS ~ THE MASTER CLEANSE
IS THE LEMONADE DIET ALSO A REDUCING DIET?
As a reducing diet it is superior in every way to any other system because it dissolves and eliminates all
types of fatty tissue. Fat melts away at the rate of about two pounds a day for most persons— and
without any harmful side effects.
All mucus diseases such as colds, flu, asthma, hay fever, sinus and bronchial troubles are rapidly
dissolved and eliminated from the body, leaving the user free from the varied allergies which cause
difficult breathing and clogging of the sinus cavities. Allergies exist as a result of an accumulation of
these toxins and they vanish as we cleanse our body. People who are over-weight often experience
these difficulties, and the more they continue to eat the toxic fat-producing foods, which cause their
obesity, the more their other ailments multiply.
The eating or drinking of mucus-forming foods [especially animal flesh and animal products] brings about mucus disorders. In other words, if you have
these diseases, you at them! As we stop feeding our family mucus-forming foods, we can eliminate their
mucus and allergy diseases for the rest of their lives.
The types of disease that are a result of calcium deposits in the joints, muscles, cells, and glands are
readily dissolved and removed from the body. Cholesterol deposits in the arteries and veins also
respond to the magic cleansing power of the lemonade diet. All skin disorders also disappear as the rest
of the body is cleansed. Boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and pimples all come under this category. These
conditions are again Nature’s effort to eliminate poisons quickly from the body.
All types of infections are the result of these vast accumulations of poisons being dissolved and burned
or oxidized to produce further cleansing of the body. Therefore, rapid elimination of the toxins relieves
the need for infectious fevers of all kinds. Infections are not “caught,” they are created by Nature to
assist in burning our surplus wastes.
Yes, the lemonade diet is a reducing diet, but much more. Just as many other disorders also cleared up
at the same time when it was used to heal ulcers, when it is used as a reducing diet other ailments are
also corrected in the process.
People build strong, healthy bodies from the correct foods or they build diseased bodies from incorrect
foods. When disease does become necessary, the lemonade diet will prove its superior cleansing and
building ability.
THE MASTER CLEANSE OR LEMONADE DIET
Purpose:
? ? To dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion that have formed in any part of the body.
? ? To cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system.
? ? To purify the glands and cells throughout the entire body.
AND HOW OFTEN?
Follow the diet for a minimum of 10 days or more— up to 40 days and beyond may be safely followed for
extremely serious cases. The diet has all the nutrition needed during this time. Three to four times a
year will do wonders for keeping the body in a normal healthy condition. The diet may be undertaken
more frequently for serious conditions.
HOW TO MAKE IT?
2 Tablespoons lemon or limejuice (approx. ½ lemon)
2 Tablespoons genuine maple syrup (Not maple flavored sugar syrup)
1/10 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste
8 oz water, room temperature
Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz glass jar w/lid and fill with the water.
Shake it up and drink. (Cold water may be used if preferred.)
Use fresh (organic) lemons or limes only, never canned lemon or limejuice nor frozen lemonade or
frozen juice.
? ? To eliminate all unusable waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles.
? ? To relieve pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries, and blood vessels.
? ? To build a healthy blood stream.
? ? To keep youth and elasticity regardless of our years.
WHEN TO USE IT?
? ? When sickness has developed— for all acute and chronic conditions.
? ? When the digestive system needs a rest and a cleansing.
? ? When overweight has become a problem.
? ? When better assimilation and building of body tissue is needed.
The maple syrup is a balanced form of positive and negative sugar and must be used, not some
“substitute.” There are three grades of maple syrup. Grade A is the first run— mild in taste, sweet and
with fewer minerals than the other grades. It is more expensive and less desirable but it may be used.
Grade B is the second run with more minerals plus more maple taste. It is more suitable for the diet and
is less expensive. Grade C is the third run with even more minerals and still stronger taste of maple and
slightly less pleasant for most people, although acceptable in the diet. It is lower in price. As Grade C is
less expensive it can be used as an excellent sweetening agent in preparing foods. The strong maple
flavor blends very well.
The maple syrup has a large variety of minerals and vitamins. Naturally the mineral and vitamin content
will vary according to the area where the trees grow and the mineral content in the soil. These are the
minerals found in average samples of syrup from Vermont: Sodium; Potassium; Calcium; Magnesium;
Manganese; Iron; Copper; Chlorine and Silicon. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, Nicotinic acid and
Pantothenic Acid are also present in the syrup. Information on the need and effect of these properties
will be found in the Biochemistry in the back of the book, “Healing for the Age of Enlightenment.”
Some uninformed operators of the sugaring of the maple syrup do use formaldehyde pellets, run through
polyethylene tubing but there are many more that don’t. Search out and demand the kind that does not
use formaldehyde. Spring Tree of Brattleboro, Vermont does not use it. This is the kind I recommend.
Dozens of letters weekly, from around the world highly praise the many superior benefits of the
lemonade diet. Thus, we must conclude that since it does so much for so many it is truly The Master
Cleanser. The following is a quote form one of the letters: “I tried the lemonade diet with exceptional
beneficial results. I would like to order at least six at whatever your wholesale price would be— I know I
will need many more as I do push the books. I believe they are the best in their field.”
An ideal formula involves freshly extracted juice from the sugar cane (readily available in India, but not
generally in the US at the present time):
10 oz. Fresh sugar can juice (medium hot or cold)
2 Tablespoons fresh lime or lemon juice
1/10 teaspoon cayenne (red pepper) or to taste
Another possible but lesser replacement could be pure sorghum [ organic black strap mollases ] (Do not use for Diabetes). It does not
produce equal or close to the benefits of maple syrup.
HOW MUCH DOES ONE DRINK?
Take from six to twelve glasses of the lemonade daily during the waking period. As you get hungry just
have another glass of lemonade. NO OTHER FOOD SHOULD BE TAKEN DURING THE FULL
PERIOD OF THE DIET. As this is a complete balance of minerals and vitamins, one does not suffer the
pangs of hunger. Do not use vitamin pills.
All solid food is turned into a liquid state before the blood can carry it to the cells. The lemonade is
already a food in liquid form.
For those who are overweight, less maple syrup may be taken. For those underweight, more maple
syrup may be taken. For those who are underweight and worried about losing more weight,
REMEMBER, the only things you can possible lose are mucus; waste, and disease. Healthy tissue will
not be eliminated. Many people who need to gain weight actually do so near the end of the diet period.
Never vary the amount of lemon juice per glass. About six glasses of lemonade a day is enough for
those wishing to reduce. Extra water may be taken as desired.
HELPING THE CLEANSING ALONG
As this is a cleansing diet, the more you can assist Nature to eliminate poisons, the better. IF YOUR
SYSTEM FEELS UPSET, IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT ELIMINATION.
Avoid this possibility by following the directions completely. Above all, be sure you have two, three, or more movements a day. This may seem unnecessary not eating solid food, but it is Nature’s way of
eliminating the waste it has loosened from the various cells and organs in the body.
They must leave the body some way. It would be just the same as sweeping the floor around and around
and never removing the dirt from the house if the wastes were not passed out. The better the
elimination, the more rapid will be the results.
WILL IT MAKE ME FEEL BAD OR WEAK?
In the cleansing process, some people experience a tremendous stirring up and may even feel worse for
several days. It is not the lemonade that causes the trouble, but what the lemonade stirs up in the
system that causes our dizziness and other disturbances. Vomiting may occur under certain conditions;
increased pain may be felt in the various joints of the body; dizziness may develop on certain days.
If weakness develops at any time, it is the result of poisons circulating through the blood stream rather
than a lack of food or vitamins. This diet gives a person all the vitamins, food, and energy necessary for
the full ten days or longer in a liquid form. Rest and take it a little easier if you have to –although most
people can go about their regular business without difficulty. Keep right on with the diet; don’t give up or
“cheat” by eating a little food or you may destroy the benefits.
Even though the lemon is an acid fruit, it becomes alkaline as it is digested and assimilated. It is, in fact,
our best aid toward proper alkaline balance. There is no danger of “too much acid.”
Alcoholics, smokers, and other drug addicts will receive untold benefits from this diet. The chemical
changes and the cleansing have a way of removing the craving and the many probably deficiencies.
Thus the desire for the unnatural types of stimulants and depressants disappears. The usual cravings
experienced and suffered in breaking away from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco no longer present
themselves during and after this diet.
It is truly a wonderful feeling to be free from slavery to these many habit-forming and devitalizing
elements of modern living. Coffee, tea, and various cola drinks, as habit-forming beverages, also lose
their appeal through the marvels of the lemonade diet.
HOW TO BREAK THE LEMONADE DIET
Coming off the lemonade diet properly is highly important*— please follow the directions very carefully.
After living in a semi-tropical and tropical climate for many years, I find that people have increasingly
turned to a raw fruit, nut, and vegetable diet. Following is the schedule for people who normally follow
such a natural vegetarian diet:
FIRST AND SECOND DAY AFTER DIET:
Several 8 oz. Glasses of fresh orange juice as desired during the day. The orange juice prepares the
digestive system to properly digest and assimilate regular food. Drink it slowly. If there has been any
digestive difficulty prior to or during the change over, extra water may be taken with the orange
juice.
THIRD DAY:
Orange juice in the morning. Raw fruit for lunch. Fruit or raw vegetable salad at night. You are now ready to eat normally.
if anyone is interested in learning more about this, or has questions, feel free ask or write ~ q.e.