Common Questions Regarding HcG  Diet
 
How does HCG help me lose weight?
 
In pregnant women, HCG releases stored fat to ensure the growing fetus receives the nutrients it needs to grow and develop normally. When HCG is taken in non-pregnant women and men the body still releases the stored fat but because there is no fetus present, the body uses the stores for energy or eliminates the rest. This enables the body to release stored toxins and fat. Abnormal fat is lost, leaving normal, or structural fat and muscle tissue. Which means you lose in those stubborn areas--hips, thighs, buttocks and upper arms!
 
Who can use the HCG diet?
 
There are no sex or age limits. Men tend to lose more steadily than women. Do not use HCG if you are pregnant or nursing. It is always recommended to consult a physician before beginning any diet or weight loss program.
 
What if I am taking birth control?
 
HCG has not been shown to interfere with birth control.
 
Are there any side effects from using HCG?
 
There are no serious side effects associated with HCG. Some experience slight headaches during the first few days but this is extremely rare and mild.
 
Why does homeopathic HCG not have to be refrigerated?
 
Homeopathic methods are mixed with 16% USP alcohol as part of it's liquid medium. THe alcohol acts as a preservative and keeps the HCG active and effective. Placing the bottle in the fridge will hold it's potency over longer periods.
 
How long does the HCG last?
 
An unopened bottle of HCG lasts 6 months, an opened bottle will last 6 weeks.
 
Will I keep the weight off?
 
After the HCG diet you will find your appetite has changed, your eating behavior will be changed and your body will, of course, have changed! This is the perfect opportunity to adopt that healthy lifestyle to maintain your weight. Following the diet, there is a three week maintenance period which is key to keeping the weight off. With your hypothalamus reset, your metabolism will be different and you will be able to eat moderately without feeling the need to overeat .
 
Why can I only eat 500 calories?
 
HCG causes your hypothalamus to mobilize the stored fat in your body. While you are consuming 500 calories, your hypothalamus is continually releasing stored fat which your body burns for fuel. You are actually running on 3500-4000 calories a day, which is the equivalent of 1-2 pounds!
 
Will I be hungry?
 
Mild hunger is common during the first few days. You will find even tiny servings to be completely satisfying. This is partly due to your hypothalamus adjusting your metabolic rate, but largely due to the amount of calories circulating in your system from the fat being released. It is common that HCG dieters feel like they are stuffing themselves in order to reach that 500 calorie limit!
 
What is the hypothalamus?
 
The hypothalamus gland moderates the thyroid, adrenals, fat storage and more importantly, your metabolic rate.
 
Do people lose more weight with injections or homeopathic HCG?
 
Patients report the same results. The only difference is homeopathic is easier, more convenient and cheaper!
 
Is HCG just a new fad diet?
 
HCG has been used medically to treat obesity since 1954. It is becoming more widely known and popular in the United States recently.
 
In Short, what is the whole Diet Protocol?
 
HCG Diet Protocol Summary
 
Here is a summary of the original HCG diet from Dr. Simeons manuscript
 
Phase 1: Day 1 and 2 BINGE and begin HCG
Take .5 cc’s of the HCG three times a day: Before or after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Eat anything and everything you can…especially foods high in fat. This is crucial to build up the fat you will be  burning off.  If you do not really binge during these 2 days the diet will be much more difficult.  It will also help you to not feel hungry during your first few days you have reduced your calories to 500 per day.  Enjoy yourself and know that this will help you lose more.  Crazy huh?  But it works!
 
Phase 2: Day 3 – 40 (max): Begin STRICT 500 Calorie Diet and continue taking HCG
Depending on how much weight you want to lose you can do phase 2 for as little as 3 weeks (no less than 23 days) but need to limit it to under 40 days.  If you would like to lose more weight after the 40 days, complete phase 3 to help reset your hypothalamus and give your body a rest from dieting and then start over with phase 1 again.
Place drops 3 times at day @10 - 15 drops each time or 6 times a day at 6 drops each time.
 
Drink at least 64 oz of liquid daily (water, coffee or tea)
Take the HCG 30 minutes before or after drinking or eating.
ONLY 8 ITEMS MAY BE EATEN EACH DAY  AND YOU MUST STAY UNDER 500 CALORIES PER DAY
 
Phase 3: The Day After You Stop the 500 Calorie Diet For the First 3 Weeks
The goal for this phase is to create a new weight set point that your body automatically maintains, close to your last HCG date weight. Such a set point is established by the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain that controls hunger and body weight and which is “taking orders,” so to speak, from the HCG.
At the point you notice that you can eat what you want and pretty much maintain a certain weight, that’s your set point, be it high or low. You are resetting this point during phase 3. Remember, the longer time period you spend within a small weight range, the better and quicker your body will settle in on your new set point. Here are the steps:
 
•Stop taking the HCG drops.
 
•Weigh yourself in the morning without clothes and with an empty bladder. This is 
         your last HCG date weight.
 
•Stick to a minimum 1,500-calorie intake, eating what you want, when you want it,
         except NO SUGARS and NO STARCHES, including sweeteners like honey,
          aspartame, or Splenda.
 
•Weigh yourself every morning to make sure you stay within 2 pounds of your last
         HCG date weight. If you are 2.1 pounds over, perform a Mini-Steak Day.
 
•Mini-Steak Day: Skip breakfast and lunch but take in plenty of water, tea, coffee, or
         Yoli. In the evening, eat a huge steak with only an apple or a raw tomato.
 
Remember that as long as you follow phase 3 guidelines (no sugars/no starches), small variances in weight, usually due to water retention or eating at a restaurant, won’t prevent your setting a new weight set point. Also, most people are successful going to a minimum 1,500-calorie diet because their new set point allows them to burn 2,000 calories each day.
The danger in eating less than 1,500 calories is that it could put your body back into a starvation mode that usually leads it to again accumulate abnormal fat cells.

Disclaimer: Information on this website is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, or treat a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for medical care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your primary care provider.