The HCG diet is a successful supervised weight loss plan offered by our South Loop and Glenview locations. Participation in the HCG diet can allow a patient to lose several pounds in one week, without feeling hungry in the process. However, resources citing the FDA have left people concerned that the HCG diet is dangerous and fraudulent. This article takes an impartial look at the science behind the weight loss diet.
Tell Me About HCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG, is a hormone that is detected at high levels during the early stages of pregnancy. The hormone can also be used to treat male and female fertility issues. In 1954 a British doctor, Albert Simeons, first proposed that HCG could be paired with a low calorie diet to stimulate weight loss. Today the hormone is administered by professionals at our Glenview, IL weight loss facility via injection.
HCG and its Role in Weight Loss
The studies performed by Dr. Albert Simeons in the 1950s proved that HCG injections speed the elimination of fat cells while paired with a restricted calorie diet. HCG injections allow the body to focus its weight loss on fat cells rather than forcing a patient to lose muscle mass. The effectively forces the body to take from stored fat, allowing the patient to retain lean muscle without starving well-functioning cells
The HCG Diet Phases
There are four phases to the Options Medical Weight Loss HCG diet program and each must be completed to ensure weight loss.
HCG Diet Phase One
The first phase of the HCG diet encourages higher than normal calorie consumption, in an effort to build fat stores before a patient moves to the second phase.
HCG Diet Phase Two
The second phase of the HCG diet can last up to forty days, depending on the recommendation of the South Loop or Glenview weight loss professionals. Phase two is often considered to be the most challenging part of this weight loss plan because it is during phase two that calories are restricted. Many patients report that they discover they have been consuming too many calories for reasons completely unrelated to hunger. Thankfully, the HCG hormone helps suppress the appetite and associated hunger pains.
HCG Diet Phase Three
The third phase of this supervised weight loss plan is considered the stabilization phase, during which you stop HCG injections but still monitor your weight. Patients in this phase will also receive nutritional guidance from our staff.
HCG Diet Phase Four
Phase four of the HCG diet is maintenance phase, or an entry point to healthier eating habits and an improved lifestyle. While it is less restrictive than phase two or phase three, this phase helps patients recognize that old eating habits were responsible for the weight gain and not conducive to success.
No matter if it is 20lb or 90lb, you may benefit from the HCG injections and supervised HCG diet offered by all Options Medical Weight Loss locations.