Latest Weight Loss Articles

Can A Colon Cleanser Help You Lose Weight

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:18:53 -0500

Internal colon cleansing offers many more benefits to your overall health then you are probably aware of. In fact new evidence of the benefits of colon cleansing are still being discovered. There are no known ill effects to colon cleansing to offset the gains so it is pretty clear that cleansing the colon has no downside and a tremendous upside for your health. Here are three common benefits to colon cleansing you may not have been aware of.

The colon almost never stops working it is like a machine that runs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It is an incredibly efficient organ, but over time it can be clogged by food that could not be used or excreted from the body. As it clogs up it is less efficient and this has an impact on the entire body.

A second common benefit to colon cleanse treatments is an increase in energy. Thousands of people have reported increased energy after a colon cleanse. The method for this is not fully understood, but it is likely related to the increased speed of the metabolism.

Removing this barrier will allow the colon to function properly again. There are many herbal based supplements that are extremely efficient in removing this plaque like build up. They are all natural and sold in many health food stores as well as at online retailers.

The most effective and safest method of colon cleansing is to take an all natural herbal based colon cleanse supplement. You can find them online and they are very reasonably priced. The systems have been proven to be effective and are all natural so there is no reason to worry about taking them.

The fact that colon cleansing is safe is not in dispute by any reputable person. Hundreds of thousands of people have colon cleansed with no ill effects being reported. In fact unless you are pregnant or have a pre-existing medical condition there is no documented reason not to undergo a colon cleansing program.

L-Carnitine for Fat Loss

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:58:09 -0500

Fat burners. Thermogenics. Crash diets. These are just a few of the terms that come to mind when people contemplate their fat loss plan. First and foremost, a healthy eating regimen should be your basis for fat loss, but let's assume you are already eating a "clean" diet and you're beginning to add fat loss supplements to help you along the way. L-carnitine for fat loss is one of my key weapons in the battle.

Carnitine is found in red meat, chicken, fish, and even vegetables. The highest naturally occurring concentrations of carnitine are in meats, while relatively low doses are found in vegetables. This makes carnitine supplementation even more important for vegetarians and those who avoid eating red meat, specifically.

Carnitine is a "conditionally essential" amino acid. This means that your body can manufacture it on its own, but under intense periods of stress (i.e. working out, your job, your kids, etc.) carnitine cannot be made in sufficient quantities and therefore must be supplemented.

Supplementing with l-carnitine can benefit:

· Improved energy production
· Decrease in body fat
· Spares muscle during strict dieting
· Muscles become more resistant to fatigue
· Enhances cardiac performance
· Stimulant-free fat loss

Carnitine works by transporting fatty acids from adipose tissue into the bloodstream, which is then carried into the mitochondria of cells, where it is then burned as energy. In short, carnitine makes your body use fat as energy and this leads to fat loss. Using fat for energy helps to spare lean muscle while dieting, as well as preserve muscle glycogen so you can power through tough workouts and have more energy throughout the day.

There are some guidelines you must follow when supplementing with L-carnitine for fat loss. First, not just any dosage will work. Studies show that a minimum daily dose of 1000mg to 1200mg of supplemental carnitine will aid in fat loss. I have had much success using these high doses of carnitine three times per day. That is not a typo. While dieting for bodybuilding contests, I've used 3000mg to 3600mg of carnitine daily (and more) with no negative side effects. Carnitine played a crucial role in my being able to retain my muscle mass while shedding body fat during this intense contest diet.

Second, L-carnitine breaks down very rapidly in water. If you take a tablet of carnitine and place it on the table overnight, when you get it the next morning it will look brittle and crumbly. The carnitine molecules degraded very rapidly from this exposure, and eventually this will render them ineffective. If that is just from one night of exposure to moisture in the air, imagine what happens if your carnitine is sitting in water for days or weeks!

For a really effective fat loss combination, try combining L-carnitine with some type of thermogenic (fat burner). You are getting the increase in calorie burning from the thermogenic, which is cranking up your metabolism, but then you have the benefit of carnitine, which is shifting your body's fuel source to fat. With this combo, you are sparing your hard-earned muscle mass all while cutting down on your unwanted body fat. It's a win-win situation!

If you happen to come across acetyl L-carnitine, do not confuse this form with its L-carnitine form. Acetyl L-carnitine is not nearly as effective as L-carnitine for fat loss. The acetyl form is ideal for mental clarity and focus because of its own specific attributes. So if you're looking for a carnitine supplement to aid with fat loss, then acetyl L-carnitine is not the route you want to go down.

Carnitine is by far one of my favorite fat loss supplements (and an overall favorite nutritional supplement). Whether you are looking to lose fat, retain your lean muscle, or even keep your heart functioning at its top level, L-carnitine for fat loss is a convenient, healthy and safe, supplement that will help you reach your goals.

Ephedra Weight Loss Products

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:02:52 -0500

Bathing suit season is back and it's time to whip your body into shape! No more jiggly arms, flabby stomachs and saggy butts. If you want to look your absolute best while lounging at the pool or getting bronzed at the beach, you need to optimize your metabolism and turn your body into a calorie-burning furnace! Ephedra weight loss products will give you the affordable advantage you've been looking for.

Ephedra from the Ma Huang plant was originally brewed as a tea and has been used by the Chinese for over 2000 years as a treatment for asthma, colds, flu, wheezing, and edema. Much like the teas and coffees we use today, ephedra tea was also brewed for its stimulant effect on the nervous system. This stimulant effect is what has gained ephedra diet pills their wild popularity and incredibly high demand.

In 2004, much to the dismay of many athletes, fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and just about anyone looking to get into shape, the FDA placed a ban on ephedra based products. However, this was short-lived as in 2006 the ban was lifted. Once again consumers were flocking to stores and websites to obtain their beloved ephedra products.

With a variety of ephedra products at your disposal, keeping your metabolism cranking is as easy as taking a few pills. With excellent products like Ultimate Burn, Yellow Bullet and Metabothin, your body will be burning calories at top speed.

Some of the advantages of ephedra supplements are:

· Increased metabolism and calorie burning
· Improves your energy levels
· Heightened sense of focus and well being
· Aids in weight loss programs

A very popular method for improved calorie burning and energy is the combination of ephedra, caffeine and aspirin, more commonly known as the "ECA stack." This three-pronged calorie attack is even more potent than just taking ephedra alone for your weight management program.

An important note needs to be mentioned when discussing the ephedra based products. The term "fat burner" is often tossed around when discussing ephedra, or really any type of thermogenic weight loss supplement. This is misleading as the supplements themselves do not actually burn fat. They increase your metabolic rate and help you burn more calories, but whether or not those additional calories being burned come from fat is up to the rest of your nutritional plan.

I know, I know. It's not fair that we can't just rely on the pills to melt the fat away. Let me tell you from experience, there are no miracle weight loss pills. You have to put forth effort on your own if you really want to look your best. Proper nutrition is going to be the foundation of any weight loss plan. Weight loss supplements may help to speed up your progress but they shouldn't be your crutch to lean on.

Do you want an added bonus to your ephedrine pills or ECA stack? Try taking 600 to 1000mg of L-carnitine with it. Carnitine works by transporting fatty acids into cells, which is then used as energy. The simple addition of this amino acid will help to ensure that the extra calories your body is burning are coming from body fat.

So if you're wanting to look your best this summer, ephedra diet pills or the ECA stack are an easy addition to your weight loss plan that will get you energized, keep you focused and help burn those extra calories. They will help to take your body to the next level!

Learn The Difference of Weight Loss vs Fat Loss

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:32:12 -0500

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

With the alarming and ever-increasing rate of obesity in the United States, a common thought that floods many people's minds is; "I need to lose weight." What most of these people don't realize is that they should be saying; "I need to lose fat." These are not interchangeable comments and there are major differences between simple weight loss and specific fat loss.

There are three major areas where overall weight loss can come from:

· Body fat
· Skeletal muscle
· Excess water retention

When you see and hear the claims of people who've lost large amounts of weight (10 pounds and up) within a week, the majority of this weight loss, if not all, comes from water. The human body is made up of about 70% water and there is always excess water either in the bladder, intestines, under the skin, etc. The foods you eat and the liquids you drink all have water in them as well. These quick weight loss diets help drop this initial weight because calorie levels are drastically dropped, and thus the overall water intake drops as well. Once your calorie levels go back to normal, so does your fluid intake and you will more than likely gain this weight back.

Muscle loss, in my opinion, is not something people should strive for. Muscle burns calories. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns, especially at rest. It is also easier for your body to keep fat off when you have more muscle mass. Muscle also holds a shape. If you can't flex it, it's fat! Muscle mass is what gives shoulders their nice rounded look, outlines shapely thighs and keeps your butt firm.

There are some easy ways to maintain the muscle mass you already have (as well as gain some new muscle):

· Weight training (or any kind of resistance training)
· Protein supplementation
· Proper eating habits
· Additional nutritional supplements (such as glutamine, creatine, etc.)

Now if you strive for fat loss, your body will eventually look significantly different (in a positive way) than if you had just opted for weight loss. Your stomach will begin to flatten, the jiggle of your upper arms will disappear, and your muscle definition will begin to show. Have you ever noticed those people who are thin, but not necessarily in shape? They may not be overweight, but they're usually not the person you look at and say "I'd love to look like that."

Not only is it healthier for you to lose fat, you will feel better while you're doing it. There is no need for the starvation diets or the "all liquid" diets. Eating smaller meals more frequently is the key to this process. Starvation diets actually slow down your metabolism in the long run, making it harder for you to keep the weight off.

When you eat one meal per day, your metabolism has that one opportunity to increase its calorie burning. Your body will then begin to adjust itself because it recognizes that you are taking in less calories, so your metabolism slows to compensate for this.

When you eat smaller meals and have a constant influx of healthy calories, your body will compensate for this and increase your metabolic rate, turning you into a calorie-burning furnace!

You don't have to go about fat loss on your own. Some excellent products to aid your fat loss goals are Green Stinger by Schwartz Labs or Lipodrene by Hi-Tech. These ephedra diet pills will help keep your metabolism cranking so you're burning up those unwanted calories.

If you want to go the non-stimulant route, Beverly International's Lean Out and Energy Reserve are fantastic. If you really want to drop fat fast, combine Green Stinger with Energy Reserve and watch the fat melt off.

Focusing on fat loss will help to ensure that your body looks great and you feel great as well. It will give you the body you truly desire without sacrificing your diet and your health. So stop starving yourself and start starving your fat! The result will be a leaner, healthier, sexier you!

Quick & Easy Workout to Burn Fat

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:08:13 -0500

Quick and Easy Workouts

For the majority of us, we live overly chaotic lives. So fitting in an hour, or even 30 minutes to workout is most often out of the question. I am there with you! Just thinking about opening up enough time in our schedules to workout gives me a headache! Luckily though, we don't have to continue making excuses about how there isn't enough time in the day to workout. There are ways in which you can achieve the same amount of calories burned in an hour in just 20 short minutes! It's true! I was a skeptic at first, when I came across this article explaining how, but now I'm a believer.

Here's what you need to do:

• Start out by picking some type of cardio you enjoy. Warm up for at least 2 -3 minutes at a moderate pace, then sprint for 30 seconds at the highest intensity you can do. Slow back down and do 90 seconds at a catch-your-breath recovery pace. Repeat eight times. You'll expunge more calories in less time, while you burn fat faster.

• Follow your cardio routine by doing two sets of 10 to 12 crunches on a stability ball. By using the ball instead of the flat surface floor allows more resistance. Therefore being more effective in the long run for those abs of yours.

• Next you'll want to start by standing on your left foot, hands on your hips, and bring your right knee to hip level in front. Trace a horizontal figure eight in front of you with knee. Then bend left knee and hop to right, landing on right foot. Repeat figure eight with left knee, then hop back to left to complete one rep. Do 10 reps, then hop back and forth 10 times to complete one set.

• After that you'll want to start by standing with your feet hip-width apart, hands on your waist. Shift weight to left foot and lift heel of right foot so you're resting on toes. Bend left knee and sink hips back, keeping weight off right foot while keeping your toes on the ground. Rise up. Do 12 reps on left leg, then switch legs and repeat.

• Continue by holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Raise your arms, palms down, out and slightly forward to shoulder height. Slowly lower them behind you so weights almost touch. Do 12 reps.

• Finish by standing with your feet hip-width apart again while keeping your legs as straight as possible. Bend forward and walk hands out until they're under your shoulders. Do two push-ups, then walk hands back and stand. Repeat twice, doing four push-ups, then six. Now tell me that it isn't possible to fit this routine into your schedule! You don't have to do it all at once. If anything find a couple minutes in your day to do one thing at a time, and then later on continue with another, then another, another, and so on! Just remember…I am there with you living a crazy, intense, stress filled life, so if I can do it, so can you! Good Luck!

Zotrim Review - A Closer Look At the Ingredients

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:11:36 -0500

With a multitude of weight loss products available over the counter, it is sometimes difficult to know which ingredients work best to burn calories and fat in a safe and natural manner. Yerba mate, guarana, and damiana are three ingredients that have beneficial weight loss properties. All of these preparations are plant-based and have been used as health supplements for a number of years.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a subtropical South American plant that behaves as a stimulant. Primarily found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, this ingredient comes from the stem and leaves of this plant. For hundreds of years, this ingredient has been the corner stone of the native South American diet due to its ability to increase energy, provide cerebral clarity, and numerous other health benefits. Yerba Mate contains antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and an organic caffeine substance.

Yerba mate is used as an ingredient in weight control formulas due to its effectiveness in raising the metabolism, helping the body to burn excess calories, and suppressing the appetite. This substance also slows the process of gastric emptying so that feelings of fullness last longer.

Guarana

Guarana is a climbing plant typically found in Brazilian and Venezuelan rain forests. It has become a popular ingredient for both energy drinks and dietary supplements due to its ability to enhance endurance and focus. The high quantities of caffeine are primarily responsible for endurance. Guarana seeds contain a considerable amount of xanthine alkaloids which increase oxygen in the blood and tannins which has anti-inflammatory effects.

The theory behind the use of guarana for weight loss is that the stimulating effect of the caffeine helps decrease the appetite and promote fat loss.

Damiana

Damiana is a plant that can be found in California, Mexico, and Texas. It has been used by people as a sexual enhancer but is most commonly known for its ability to treat depression, the flu, headaches, and more. The leaf of the damiana plant also contains aromatic oils and beta-sitosterol which is known to reduce high blood cholesterol.

Damiana has numerous elements that effort to achieve weight loss. It naturally increases the body's metabolism and energy levels. It is also capable as acting as a laxative and aids in removing bodily waste.

Several clinical studies have been conducted showing that combining yerba mate, damiana, and guarana significantly reduced weight in obese individuals. There are a hand full of supplements on the market that use these ingredients independently but only Zotrim has undergone scientific studies to detail the efficacy for weight loss.

How To Make Your Own Electricity At Home

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:04:22 -0500

You may not realize, but every year you are paying more for your electricity bills. That's a fact, which has been proven many times. Energy prices are constantly rising, and that's the main reason why a lot of people started to look for alternative ways of generating power. Probably one of the best ways to do it is by utilizing the power of renewable energies.

So first of all, let's talk about how all this stuff works. Well, basically renewable energy is the type of power, which can be continuously renewed without spending any money/time on it. Think about windmills or wind turbines. Also solar power panels work the same way. That's exactly what you need, if you want to make your own electricity.

However, how do you that and is it easy? What you need to do is build your own windmill or solar power panels. These are the machines required for the power conversion. I wouldn't say it's difficult, but you will definitely require step-by-step instructions, if you want to do everything on your own. Also make sure to take advantage of both wind and solar power.

However, I'm sure that at the moment, you think that this is like rocket science and there's no way you would be able to build such machines yourself. Well, you are quite wrong actually, because the Internet is full of various step-by-step guides, which briefly explain everything you need to know about wind and solar power.

While all this sounds great, there's a little problem here. You see, because there are so many people willing to find out how to build a windmill or solar panels, the amount of energy guide scams has increased online. So when you are looking for a guide to buy, make sure to read some reviews about it and research properly, before buying.

Also always make sure that there is a money-back guarantee offered with the guide, because quality manuals will always have that. In case, if you are not happy with something, so you can easily get a refund. Don't be afraid to ask for it, if you feel you are not satisfied with the product you have bought.

Weight Loss Is A Problem For Everyone

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:13:08 -0500

It is hard to not come across someone that has not experienced a problem with weight loss. Everyone is on this live healthier and stay healthy track, therefore weight loss is brought up a lot more now then ever before. It seems that many people are being told the only way to live healthier is to inadvertently be healthier.

You can always pursue the diet pills that are found all over retail shelves and throughout the internet. All of the pills come with the same basic promise that they will allow you the opportunity to get rid of the weight that ails you in a short time frame. However, you still need to engage in a workout regiment when you consume the pills in order to be able to lose weight quickly.

However, for every good thing there is always something that is bad. Many people take diet pills for granted they suppose since they are utilizing the pills they should be able to see results quickly, this is not always the case. In order to shed pounds by the means that you want you need to be able to have a regiment established that will allow you to make your dreams a reality.

Were certain that if there were some sort of miracle diet that everyone could try and magically lose weight everyone would have already pursued this avenue. But, sadly enough there is no miracle diet and you can not expect to lose weight without doing anything to allow the process to commence. People are so interested in how to lose weight quickly that they often times forget about the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to make weight loss possible.

The problem with a lot of people is they don't completely understand how to lose weight. Everyone will make their snide remarks that it is incredibly simple, however different people have different things that may hinder them from being able to have the body that they desire.

When you are ready to join the weight loss bandwagon, you have to be willing to make a lot of changes in your daily life in order to lose weight fast. One of the first things you need to start with are the foods that you eat.

The old adage of being what you eat is actually true in a lot of references. You need to be able to replace foods that have been causing you to stay in your present state with foods that are healthy for you and are going to basically help you re-invent yourself.

Learn how to lean on the support from others and not the support from food. Learning how to lose weight may be difficult if you are so used to having food there for you as a form of comfort.

You need to be able to make enough time for a little bit of exercise and physical activity every single day. It would behoove you to concentrate your efforts on working our for one hour a day for 6 days a week for the rest of your life. You will not only feel better by engaging in physical activities, but you will inadvertently begin to look amazing.

There is not one person in this world that has not faced the problem of excess weight. However as long as you stay diligent to a regiment you can inadvertently lose weight without any ailments.

It is imperative that you set up an action plan in a means to allow you to lose weight quickly and by all means stick to it.

Carlsbad Quick Weight Loss In San Diego

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:02:32 -0500

Obesity has become a real focal point of the state of society today. And the Carlsbad Weight Loss Exercise in San Diego, offers a way to combat what has been labeled a 'scourge' on society. You can find yourself burning away the fat that has held you back for so long. It's very liberating and exciting to change your life in a positive way.

By utilizing the professionalism ingrained in these high quality programs, many people are finding their way to fitness and wholeness. These programs don't just deal with exercising, but are complete programs from diet and nutrition on down. And they can customize a routine just for you, that is targeted toward your particular problem areas.

All of your exercises will be designed to attack your problem spots. They will make sure to show you how to do the exercises properly to get the maximum effect from them. You can enlist a personal trainer if that suits you better. But either way, you're going to get good sound advice and instruction for implementing your regimen for kicking off the excess weight.

They can adapt your program to your needs. Some people like to come to the gym in order to workout. But if you need to, they can show you how to do your exercises in the comfort of your own home, and show you some good equipment to use while doing exercises at home.

The experience and knowledge of the Carlsbad Healthy Weight Loss teams is widely acclaimed. They understand that losing weight doesn't happen overnight. They know it takes time for you to apply the right diet, the right exercises, and get into a steady routine before you will begin to see good solid results. It takes time for your body to respond to the new treatment it's being given.

For those who love the outdoors, Carlsbad has added an outdoor boot camp. There's been a huge response to this program. It gets you out into the fresh air along with your group and some top instructors to do your exercises and enjoy the outdoor setting. It's very popular.

Women have been trying out a new thing called a 'meetup'. They go online as opposed to actually meeting somewhere, and support each other as they do their home workouts. It's received a fantastic response so far from those who choose a home workout program. This way they receive feedback and suggestions and enjoy the social aspect without leaving the house.

The Carlsbad workouts are on the cutting edge, along with their nutrition programs and motivations. They not only deal in weight loss, but in general fitness and bodybuilding too. Their programs are among the top in their field. If you want to put yourself in the hands of people you can trust to know exactly how to help you and your situation, you can't go wrong here.

Ordering Cheap Adipex Without A Prescription With Online Convenience

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:57:37 -0500

If you need to get cheap Adipex without a prescription, all you have to do is to check with an online pharmacy that carries this medication. Online pharmacies are the medical dispensary of the future, as they are easy to deal with and simple to use. Adipex is a medication that is primarily used for weight loss and is considered very much like an amphetamine.

You are not really getting cheap Adipex without a prescription. Rather, you are asking for a prescription from the online pharmacist. This is not hard and only takes a few minutes. You will fill out a medical form verifying that your physician is informed that you are taking this medication, whether you've taken it before, and any relevant health conditions that might be of concern.

Just like all medications, Adipex may cause some side effects. You should wait until you see how you are affected before you drive or participate in any activity that requires normal reaction time. You should not take it if you have a history of drug abuse, as Adipex is a commonly abused medication.

This medication is effective for weight loss because it suppresses the central nervous system, which in turn decreases the appetite. It is almost identical to an amphetamine, you do not experience a lack of energy like you do with many diet aids. Drinking alcohol will further suppress the nervous system, which has the potential to cause serious health effects.

Medication that is delivered to your home is legal if you have a prescription. Since the prescription is written by the pharmacist at the online pharmacy, it's legal to order from an online pharmacy and receive delivery of medication. Each state has varying laws when it comes to what type of medication is legally delivered, so be sure to check. Online pharmacies will often let you know up front if they do not deliver to your state.

Some online pharmacies require an adult signature before they will deliver your medication while other pharmacies are willing to leave it at your doorstep. If you are not expecting being home on the day of delivery, you might consider checking which policy your online pharmacy offers.

Each delivery system is a little different. There are occasions where you will need to be home to sign for the delivery, and they usually will not deliver to anyone less than 18 years of age. It's easy to find out what the policy of each pharmacy is as it is listed right on the website. They will help you through every aspect of the process to make it as easy as possible.

Effective weight loss with Adipex is not difficult. All you need is the desire to start losing significant amounts of excess weight. Now that you can get cheap Adipex with a prescription, losing weight and slimming down is easier than ever.

How To Properly Prepare for a Diet

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:53:32 -0500

Perhaps you have made a decision to improve your diet. If this is the case, you are like many people who wish to get in healthier shape. More than likely, you have probably tried to lose weight many times only to discover your goal elusive to achieve. What is the reason for this? Usually, a lack of mental preparedness is the reason for faltering on a diet.

Some may scoff at this notion. After all, how could mental preparedness play a role in successful dieting? Aren't all diets about simply cutting calories and exercising a little more? Well, yes, they are but if the individual does not have the proper mental outlook, the ability to succeed with a diet becomes next to impossible.

Remember, there are three facets to a successful diet. These facets must be properly balanced in order for it to be successful. These aspects include proper dietary intake, cooking and preparing your own food, and avoiding the common mistakes people make when they go on a diet.

When a dieter starts to feel overwhelmed, the dieter will often give up on his goals. This is unfortunate because no one can lose weight when the decision is made to quit a diet. Those with a proper and strong mindset can - and will - avoid the problem of quitting. A strong mental outlook can help someone stick to a diet no matter how tough food cravings may become.

One way to make sure that your goals are met is to make a checklist of goals that you can follow. When you have your goals written out, you can follow them to completion. This would allow you to chart your progress and keep you on track to succeed at your goals.

As long as you stay on track with your goals, you will not succumb to mental pressure which makes you want to throw in the towel. Yes, sometimes all it takes it a few simple steps to ensure you maintain the right mindset.

The mind is the origin point of success or failure when it comes to succeeding with a diet. Would you prefer your venture is successful or unsuccessful? If it is the former, you will definitely want to get the right into the right mindset. You can't achieve your goals any other way.

Watch Out for Oral HCG for Weight Loss

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:56:47 -0500

HCG Injections Are the Foundation for Weight Loss

Dr. A.T.W. Simeons outlined his protocol more than 50 years ago, using injections of the hormone HCG as the key for burning fat. Thousands of patients succeeded in losing weight when the hormone was accompanied by a specific, calorie-restricted diet. It is now a reputable weight loss program that has helped people lose weight permanently and more easily than any other program.

Caution on Oral HCG

The popularity of the HCG weight loss diet has fostered variations that are hard to keep up with. One of the variations is the use of an oral form of HCG instead of the original injectable form. This is a major shift in concept for introducing a complex protein hormone into the body. Proteins of all kinds taken orally only end up being digested in the mix of acids and protein-digesting enzymes of the stomach.

The take home lesson is that oral HCG, when swallowed, has very little chance of being effective before it is digested.

Sublingual HCG to the Rescue

An alternative oral form is also widely available for sublingual use. This just means that the HCG is placed under the tongue for a few minutes. The mucous membrane of the mouth is very efficient at absorbing all kinds of substances, including proteins.

The key for a sublingual HCG product to be effective is that the amount absorbed must mimic the effects of the injectable form exactly. Reputable companies have figured this out and provide directions that give you the expected results.

Comparing Injectable vs. Sublingual HCG

Both forms have to be mixed with sterile water. The similarity ends in the way they are used. The injectable form must be mixed in a vial whose lid can be penetrated by a needle. Administration requires drawing the appropriate volume into a syringe, then injecting it into your body once per day.

The sublingual form is administered from a dropper bottle, usually 5 drops twice per day. Variations depend on different products with different concentrations of HCG and different volumes of liquid per drop. It is common to mix 15 milliliters of sterile water into 12,000 I.U. of HCG, which will yield 5 drops twice per day for 27-plus days.

Injectable and sublingual forms of HCG are equivalent in their effects when used appropriately. The main reason for choosing one over another is simply a matter of personal preference or convenience. I have found that many more people are now willing to consider the HCG weight loss diet because they don't have to self-administer the injections or go see a doctor daily to get injections administered to them. People who have objected to the need for injections now have an alternative.

What to Watch for When Buying Oral HCG

Most of the online HCG that is easy to buy is homeopathic HCG, which contains no HCG at all. Please make sure that you are getting legitimate HCG that has a clearly labeled concentration of several thousand I.U. If you see a label with 30x or some such indication of strength, this means that it is homeopathic.

The reason that I caution you on homeopathic HCG is because there is no scientific research behind this form of the hormone yet. The jury is still out.

Real Medical Research on the HCG Weight Loss Diet

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:12:49 -0500

The Original Research by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons

The research by Dr. Simeons was published in 1954 in his book, ‘Pounds and Inches', which is widely available at no cost on many websites. He designed his protocol to be very precise regarding the amount of HCG required for injection, for the number of calories and the types foods allowed, and for the optimal duration of the program. He also published a brief synopsis of his program in the British medical journal Lancet (vol. 2, pp. 946-947, 1954).

This weight loss program has attracted considerable attention from the medical community and from people who have undergone treatment. Its popularity is one reason why so many people, including medical doctors, have decided to offer opinions on whether it works. The success of HCG for weight loss has been so great that it has attracted negative attention from the FDA.

Before I go further, I want to note that the FDA is not an agency that serves human health. It is an agency that serves the financial interests of pharmaceutical companies. Negative attention from the FDA almost always means that the health benefits of the treatment in question might undermine drug profits. Indeed, seeing the statement that HCG is not approved by the FDA for weight loss is, in my opinion, support for the effectiveness of this protocol.

Medical Studies

The government's PubMed database lists more than 18,000 journal articles on HCG, with less than a few dozen of these having anything to do with weight loss. Most of the research on this hormone involves fertility, pregnancy, and the detection of cancerous tumors. What I want to do is call your attention to just three studies as examples of the confusion that is rampant in the medical literature on HCG and weight loss.

1963 Study

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol. 12, pp. 230-234, 1963), at the height of popularity of the HCG diet plan in the U.S. In my reading of this article, it looks to me as though the researchers behind this study, from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, followed the Simeons protocol to the letter. There was one exception: the consumption of a baked potato each day, which is not on Simeons' list of allowed vegetables. The main result of the study was an average loss of 6.5 pounds in the HCG-treated group, compared with an average loss of 8.8 pounds in the untreated (control) group. The authors concluded that the hormone did not cause weight loss.

This study is remarkable for a couple reasons. One is that, in spite of following the Simeons protocol for 40 days, neither the treatment group nor the control group came close to the amount of weight loss that is expected. A starvation diet alone (i.e., 550 calories per day) should have caused more weight loss than reported. In fact, one subject on HCG even gained weight. The other reason that this study is remarkable is that the number of study subjects (i.e., 10 in the treatment group, 9 in the control group) and the variability of the results within each group provided insufficient statistical power to explain anything at all! Indeed, this study offered no comparative statistical analysis of weight loss. In other words, the results did not support any conclusions whatsoever.

Nevertheless, one or more factors are not obvious in this study. Generally when a study has such insignificant results, the subjects were not compliant - i.e., they did not follow the protocol very well. The researchers offered no comment on this possibility, so we will never know why both the treatment group and the control group underperformed.

1973 Study

This study was published 10 years later, also in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol. 26, pp. 211-218, 1963). The researchers who conducted it, at the American Society of Bariatric Physicians Research Council, studied about twice as many subjects as the 1963 study above. The final result was an average loss of 19.96 pounds in the HCG group and 11.05 pounds in the control group. More importantly, the statistical analysis supported this difference as being significant. The conclusion of this study was that HCG did cause weight loss.

1995 Meta Analysis

Meta analysis refers to a comparison of multiple studies on the same topic. This meta analysis was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (vol. 40, pp. 237-243, 1995) by researchers at Vrije University, Netherlands. They evaluated 16 studies and observed that most of them were of ‘poor methodological quality' (meaning, bad science). Only one of the 12 articles of acceptable quality showed an effect on weight loss by HCG. The researchers concluded that ‘there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity'.

Meta analysis studies have become very popular in medicine because of the notion that a trend over multiple studies shows the truth. Unfortunately, the basic rules of statistics invalidate any such comparisons. Moreover, when even one study stands out against the majority, it is wrong to ignore it completely as these researchers have done. It would be much more valuable to figure out why some studies give contradictory results to one another.

This meta analysis also reveals what I call the dirty laundry of medical science - i.e., most research is so flawed that it is almost useless for saying anything at all with certainty. In fact, this is kind of a scary thought, isn't it?

Take Home Lesson

Human subject research is the most difficult kind of study because of so many variables that are out of the control of the experimental design. Determining cause and effect is almost impossible. Nevertheless, we can see from some research that HCG can and does drive weight loss. My view is that studies that show this result are better in terms of sticking more closely to the Simeons protocol in the experimental design, then having the study subjects adhere closely to it.

What I conclude regarding HCG and weight loss is based on what I have seen for myself. This includes many, many people who have had the same results that Simeons documented based on his clinical experience with thousands of patients. I have also had the same results for myself. There is nothing like personal experience! The key to my experience, however, was monitoring my body fat composition. Weight loss is almost irrelevant by itself. My result was a reduction of 20 pounds AND of 6% body fat in less than 30 days. Reduction in body fat is supposed to be the main effect of HCG.

Medical researchers are apparently going to argue the merits of HCG and weight loss until the end of time, citing whichever research results support their arguments. As a scientist myself, I have no doubt whatsoever that Simeons was right and that my body changes occurred because of HCG.

One More Thing

Early studies on lab animals are now beginning to show that HCG interacts with the hormone leptin. Leptin is the new master fat hormone that has been known only since 1994. Like HCG, leptin also carries a signal to the hypothalamus. I predict that the more we find out about the interaction between these two hormones, the more we will understand how ingenious the Simeons protocol really is.