Brent Mathieu ND

Human Chiorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a subject of interest to several of my patients and acquaintances, and the public.

HCG is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the embryo and placenta during pregnancy, with a primary function in pregnancy to support the corpus luteum (yellow body) of the mother's ovary and maintain the production of the essential hormone progesterone.

In the 1950's, a European medical doctor, Dr Simeon popularized the use of HCG for weight loss, claiming that HCG combined with a very low calorie diet would suppress appetite. His theory is that HCG affects the limbic system in the brain, and re-adjusts the set point that maintains body fat in the overweight. I read a copy of his book recently online and there were no references to peer reviewed scientific studies.

The theory is highly controversial, and has not been demonstrated by medical research as more effective than placebo with a very low calorie diet, to my knowledge.

Google search brought up numerous websites pro and con. I recommend the following one which contained a good summary, and links to medical reviews that concluded there was no significant difference between the HCG protocol, and placebo combined with a very low calorie diet.

http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/hcg-review.html

Despite the lack of medical research, several patients and acquaintances of mine which I know to have had great difficulty with weight loss, have achieved significant weight loss with the HCG protocol. These are anedoctal evidence which medical science typically dismisses.

So what's going on? My musings:

The limbic system portion of the brain such as the hypothalamus is involved in the autonomic regulation of basic life functions, and does respond to hormonal feedback from the rest of the body. (For examples, thyroid hormones (T3 &T4) leptin, estrogen/progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and chymotrypsin) Weight regulation and metabolism is one of the functions regulated, and affected by hormones. The theory that HCG interacts with the limbic system, specifically the hypothalamus, is plausible. (Disclaimer: I haven't investigated the known physiology deeply and recently, and I'm not an endocrinologist/expert)

So the question is whether the weight loss is solely due to a restricted low calorie diet, that is being supported by the placebo effect, or whether the HCG really has benefit?

Sorry, I don't have a definite answer, but my leaning is towards HCG, and the need for more investigation.

Of course, the basics of Nature's wisdom apply for healthy weight loss, regardless:

Physical activity and exercise.
Wholesome foods, close to the natural state of harvest, with minimal processing.
Positive attitude, intent and self image.

Greenman Health Shoppe and I can help with some quality nutritional weight management foods, lifestyle coaching and bioimpedance body composition analysis. Visit www.greenmanhealth.com for more info.

Be well, live well