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HCG article by Perfect Solutions

What is hCG
During pregnancy, the body uses the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone to maintain early pregnancy by stimulating the production of estrogen and progesterone. The stimulation of these two steroid hormones encourages the growth of the endometrium (uterine wall) and helps increase nutrient stores and glycogen so that it is prepared to nourish an embryo before the placenta is developed (Brown, 49).

The Diet Plan

The hCG diet is a weight loss plan that uses injections or pills of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). For weight loss, the hormone is said to suppress appetite, increase the metabolism and burn fat in the stomach, thigh and hip areas of the body. In addition to hormone injections, weight loss patients are placed on a restrictive 500 calorie a day diet. With a combination of the hormone and the calorie intake, patients are expected to lose about 2 pounds per day. Marketers of the diet also claim that the hormone increases the metabolism and that patients may not find themselves to be as hungry or irritable as they might expect (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2010 & Wong 2011).

The Research

The hCG diet was first introduced in the 1950s by a doctor named Albert T. Simeons. His studies claimed that patients that followed the hCG diet lost about 20 to 30 pounds in 40 days without feeling excessively hungry or weak. Since then, the weight loss plan has undergone numerous studies most of which concluded that the hormone injections did not prove to aid in weight loss. Instead, the strict calorie intake of 500 calories per day caused patients to lose weight (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2011 & Wong 2011).

One research study concluded that:

In this trial of HCG and its diluent as a placebo, there were no significant differences in the two groups other than the greater anxiety in the HCG group before treatment. It is clear that patients lost weight quite satisfactorily indicating a high degree of adherence to the 500 kilocalorie diet. The injections of HCG, however, provided no additional effects that could not be accounted for by the diet alone. We conclude, therefore, that HCG used in the manner prescribed by Simeons does not enhance the rate of weight loss, nor does it significantly reduce hunger or change the ratings of anxiety, hostility or depression. (Greenway 462)

In 2010, the Harvard Women’s Health Watch reported that, “A meta-analysis (combined analysis) of 24 studies published in 1995 concluded that there is no scientific evidence that HCG causes weight loss, redistributes fat, reduces hunger, or creates a feeling of well-being” (May 2010).

Despite the research, the hCG weight loss plan still continues to gain popularity. And although hCG has been approved by the FDA to treat women for infertility, it has not approved the hormone for uses in weight loss (Wong 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, when using the hCG diet as a means to weight loss, the bad definitely out-weighs the good. Research has concluded that the hormone itself is in-effective for weight loss with one study in particular stating that, “…injections of placebo appear to be equally effective in all respects.” (Greenway, 463). Adverse reactions of the hormone have also been proven to affect dieters. Such reactions include: headaches, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, blood clots, depression, and dizziness (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2010 & Wong 2011). The injection also causes fluid retention so individuals with heart disease, renal disease, epilepsy, migraines and/or asthma are cautioned against this type of treatment (Wong 2011). Finally, the restricted calorie intake of 500 kilocalories per day can cause individuals from meeting nutritional needs and may increase a person’s risk of gallstones (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2010 & Wong, 2011).

After the review of various research studies, the Perfect Solutions Nutrition Team feels that it is safe to conclude that the use of the hCG diet is ineffective and hazardous to an individual’s overall health. We feel that a nutrient dense, whole foods diet with regular physical activity can increase a person’s overall health and lead to natural and healthy weight loss.

Sources

Brown, Judith E., and Janet S. Isaacs. "Chapter 2: Preconception Nutrition." Nutrition through the Life Cycle. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. Print.

Greenway FL, Bray GA: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of Obesity- A Critical Assessment of the Simeons Method. West J Med 127: 461-463, Dec 1977.

"By the Way, Doctor." Health Information and Medical Information - Harvard Health Publications. Ed. Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D. Harvard Women's Health Watch, May 2011. Web. 27 June 2011. <http://www.health.harvard.edu>.

Wong, Cathy. "The HCG Diet." About.com: Need. Know. Accomplish. The New York Times Company, 14 June 2011. Web. 27 June 2011. <http://www.about.com>.

Healthier Halloween Ideas 2011

Healthier Halloween Treats

Here are our recommendations for a Healthier Halloween, but beware, you may lose weight this year.

Halloween Treats for the Kids:
1. Kirkland Fruit Crisps- Costco
2. Brothers All Natural Fruit Crisps- At Perfect Solutions Nutrition
3. Larabar (Fruit Bars)-HEB or Target
4. Annies Bunny Snacks- Costco
5. 100 Calorie Almond Packs by Blue Diamond or Emerald


Healthier Halloween Party Supplies:  (These will be a hit with your guests that want to eat Healthier)
1. Vegetable and Fruit Trays:  Get creative and make it fresh.  Best dips would be Hummus or HEB Central Market Black Beans with some Pico de Gallo.
2. Baked Chips vs. Fried:  Our favorites are baked Pita Chips or Baked Tostito Scoops
3. Low Calorie Beer or Wine vs. high sugar mixed drinks like Margaritas, Daquiries, etc..
4. Lean Proteins like Chicken Breasts, Turkey or Fish instead of Pizza, Wings and BBQ.  Remember, nothing fried.
5. Kozy Shak Sugar Free Tapioca or Rice Pudding
6. Skinny Cow 50 Calorie Fudgecicles
7. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla or Unsweetened Chocolate Milk instead of regular milk for beverages like Almond Hot Toddy or Almond Pumpkin Nog (just substitute 1 packet of Ideal or Stevia for the sugar).

Scary Halloween Additives

Food additives have been used for centuries. They are used to modify taste, texture, color, nutritional value, as well as improve flavor and prevent spoilage. Their function is to emulsify, stabilize and thicken.

Many food additives throughout time have been shown to be toxic or carcinogenic. Although the FDA sets safety standards to determine whether a substance is safe for its intended use, it is still wise to avoid foods containing nonessential additives. The only way to truly avoid additives is to stay away from processed foods.

Eating fresh, unprocessed foods is the best option; shop the perimeter of the grocery store where whole foods are found. If you can't pronounce an ingredient on the food label it is probably a chemical additive and it is best to avoid it.

Here are some common ingredient names that contain MSG:

Sources:
www.livestrong.com
www.life.gaiam.com http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com

Aditivos de Miedo en Halloween

Los aditivos en los alimentos se utilizan para modificar el sabor, la textura, color, valor nutricional y evitar su deterioro. Su función es la de emulsionar, estabilizar y espesar el producto.

Muchos aditivos a lo largo del tiempo se han demostrado que son tóxicos o cancerígenos.La única manera de evitar los aditivos es no consumiendo alimentos procesados.

Comer alimentos frescos, sin procesar es la mejor opción, en el perímetro de la tienda es donde se encuentran los alimentos sanos y sin procesar. Si usted no puede pronunciar un ingrediente en la etiqueta de los alimentos es probable que sea un aditivo químico y lo mejo es evitarlo.

Aqui hay algunos nombres comunes de ingredientes que contienen Glutamato de Monosodio MSG:

Fuentes de información:
www.livestrong.com
www.life.gaiam.com www.fooddemocracy.wordpress.com