Weight Loss

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a novel and exciting addition to the available treatments for weight loss. What is the reason this diet is so popular at this time? Dr. Harrell believes that combined with a low calorie diet, HCG may help facilitate weight loss by raising hormone levels in the body, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones increase the body's metabolism and promotes weight loss; they appear to target the stored fat and thereby help to spare lean muscle mass.

HCG is also believed to protect your body's good fat and muscle from being used up for energy while dieting. All this adds up to the fact that you can very likely you could go on the restricted calorie food plan, lose weight, and then not experience the typical problems such as muscle loss, sagging skin, and hunger pains that accompany many other diets. Dr. Harrell has found that many patients wanting to lose weight before surgery or further improve their shape after surgery can benefit from the HCG Diet.

The Benefits of the HCG Diet

Fat burning and muscle sparing
Rapid weight-loss compared to other diets
Redistributes fat
Increases metabolism by slightly raising estrogen and testosterone levels
Decreased craving for sweets
Decreased appetite
Increased libido in men and women
Maintains weight loss despite returning to regular calorie intake
Ideal for women in menopause with declining or imbalanced hormone levels
Targets the flabby fatty areas on the stomach, buttocks, thighs, arms and chest
Cost effective

So What Is HCG?

HCG is a hormone that is normally produced in women during pregnancy. It is utilized by the body to protect and nourish the developing fetus by delivering adequate calories to the placenta by obtaining the mother's stored fat reserves, thus reducing lean muscle loss. HCG by injection has been used for to treat many medical conditions in addition to weight loss- such as hypogonadism (very low testosterone levels in men) and infertility in women.

HCG releases the stored nutrients and calories in fat cells by liquefying their content. These nutrients are then released into the bloodstream, in the same way that a pregnant mother passes nutrients to her unborn baby. It is believed that this source of natural energy is immediately available to the body. In some cases as much as 2,000 calories is delivered in a single day. Fat cells are drained of their contents and shrink to a fraction of their original size. Natural energy levels increase from nutrients supplied by the fat cells, while appetite typically decreases noticeably.

HCG and Weight Loss

Over 50 years ago, Dr. A.T.W. Simeons discovered HCG could be used for the treatment of obesity in men and non-pregnant women. His patients received a daily injection of the HCG for 40 days together with following a low 500 calorie diet. During his research Dr. Simeons noted several important factors including the relative lack of symptoms one would expect from a patient on a very low calorie diet. Of significance, his patients had no headaches, hunger pains, weakness, or irritability as long as the low calorie diet was combined with HCG.

Since then, untold numbers of dieters have used versions of this HCG diet to achieve fast, safe and sustainable weight loss.

HCG Delivery System

Subcutaneous HCG (injection) is generally recommended. HCG is injected into the fatty abdominal tissue via a tiny insulin syringe (1/4 inch). A very small amount of HCG is injected daily for 20-40 days. The recommended dosage is between 125-200 IU's per day and is determined by your physician.

It is important to realize that HCG alone will not cause weight loss; it is just one part of a total weight management program and if the entire program is followed properly, the chances for losing weight and keeping it off are extremely high.

Getting Started

Dr. Harrell and his staff will begin by evaluating your medical history through a detailed medical questionnaire and a panel of laboratory tests. After this we will develop a program that best suits your needs by combining the HCG, a low calorie diet and dietary supplements or nutriceuticals.