increasing sexual potency or losing weight. No matter which of the three you want to roll the dice with, you’re almost always going to come up snake-eyes, particularly when it comes to weight loss miracles. Recently, I’ve known more than a half dozen people who have been receiving HCG injections to promote high metabolism, decrease appetite, and ultimately shed some unwanted pounds. The promises of HCG are steep, and while many of the promises are actually fulfilled, a slightly deeper examination can prove worthwhile.One particular woman I know who weighed around 175 pounds began an 8 week program, which promised a total weight loss of 35-45 pounds, without doing any exercise. At first I was skeptical, but 8 weeks and 43 pounds later, I quite literally couldn’t believe what I had witnessed. Six days a week, she would go to a clinic near her house and receive an HCG shot. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, and it is a hormone found in pregnant women’s placentas, excreted through their urine--so the body produces the hormone naturally. The particular clinic she went to was The Steelman Clinic in Oklahoma City, operated by Dr. Michael Steelman.
Being naturally curious, I went to The Steelman Clinic website, and I saw immediate red flags, but I kept in mind that the promise of losing a lot of weight in a very short time period was fulfilled for her. In the midst of links to various skin-rejuvenating procedures and health supplements, I found a section discussing both injectable and oral administrations of HCG. Oral HCG is sold under the brand name Releana.
Okay, let’s cut to the chase. After finding out that studies examining the effects of Releana and brands of injectable HCG have not discovered exactly how HCG causes weight loss, I decided to read through a few clinical trials to see what we do know. Most startling was the fact that on Releana’s main page, they have a link to clinical trials. The very first clinical trial I read measured body weight, body circumference, skinfold thickness and mood assessment. The results are really astounding, considering this study is actually posted on Releana’s website.1. "We have tested all volunteers, screening for the p-hCG in plasma. Concentrations were undetectable in all cases." In this trial, there were essentially two different groups–one receiving HCG and a control group receiving placebo. HGC was undetectable in both groups' plasma.
2. "We do not know precisely how hCG acts on adipose tissue metabolism. However, some reports (32,84,85,83 ) suggest hCG possesses a metabolic activity on adipose tissue (i.e. decrease lipogenesis). These actions are not directly exerted upon adipocytes, since fat cell membranes have no receptors for hCG." It is commonly said of HCG that it decomposes excess fat in areas that are not normally able to be access through normal diet and exercise. This statement would suggest otherwise. HCG was undetectable in adipocytes, and what's more is that there doesn't seem to even be a way for HCG to be received by fat cells.
The ONLY scientifically measurable difference between groups receiving HCG and groups receiving placebo is described in the study as follows:
"Compared to placebo treated subjects, volunteers managed with an oral administration of HCG coped more efficiently with daily irritating situations, were in a better mood, and handled home conflicts without stepping up family discussions."
In other words, there was no recorded physical difference between the two groups, with the only emotional difference being a change in well-being, reported by self-analysis.Now this study only incorporated sublingual HCG liquid rather than HCG injections. Not surprisingly, a quick read through the cited references pulled up this little gem. Per this study, "...there is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity." Naturally, the reasons Releana puts these on their website is that they are required to by law, and they know that no one (effectively speaking) reads them anyway.
If all that is true, where does the rubber meet the road? Why do so many people actually lose the weight they are promised to lose on this "diet?" The answer lies in the diet created by "HCG for obesity" founder, Dr. Simeons. During the 8 week HCG administration, patients are to consume only 500 calories per day. That consists of one piece of fruit per day along with a lunch and dinner that each consist of only four ounces of white meat and eight ounces of vegetables. In medical circles, this diet is referred to as a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet), and it has been proven to be just as effective without the use of HCG injections or liquid.
So at the end of the day (or at the beginning if you’re a morning person), you actually do have the opportunity to lose up to 45 pounds in just 8 short weeks if you take some form of HCG. It can also be said, however, that you can lose that same 45 pounds if you stick to a rigorous VLC diet and send me half of what you would've spent on those injections.
51 comments:
Thank you for posting this info about Releana and HCG. I was thinking about doing the sublingual HCG, but after reading this, I think I'll just stick to my diet!
I am on the HCG diet - and what you fail to mention here, is that the HCG seems to keep me from being hungry. Yes, it may very well be the 500 calories, or the combination of foods that I am eating, BUT - on other Very Low Calorie Diets - I could NOT stay on them, because of the hunger. That is NOT the case with the HCG diet. And yes, I have lost close to 1 lb a day.
I do appreciate your comment, but there are a few things I'd like to point out to you.
First, the reason I don't mention anything about the appetite suppressing capabilities of Releana or HCG shots is because that is not what the drug manufacturers claim it does. Instead, they claim that HCG has the ability to block fat from certain receptors in adipose tissue, which simply isn't true.
Second, the clinical trials reported no difference in appetite between control groups and groups given Releana or HCG. That said, the only difference subjects in clinical trials reported was a difference in mood.
Lastly, there are a variety of pills and tablets you can take to suppress your appetite. Here in Oklahoma City, HCG injections cost $800 for 40 days, while a 30 day supply of Phentermine can be purchased for around $55 on the internet. That said, I'm not quite sure why you would begin a regimine of Releana or HCG simply for the appetite supressive qualities, but people do stupid things all the time.
I do the HCG shots now for the 10th day and have lost 10 pounds - I am sure, that it works, because I tried so many years with low eating and sports to loose weight, but the best effect was 2 - 3 pounds per month. Also with a 500 kcal diet. There IS something and it really works.
Again, I do appreciate the comment, but I do, in fact, address the issue that the 500 calorie per day diet works. According to clincal studies, however, the only effect HCG is having on you is a purely psychological one.
If you feel taking HCG has better equipped you to stay on the 500 calorie diet, then good for you--just remember that the HCG itself has absolutely nothing to do with your weight loss. For the rest of us, we don't need pseudoscience to discipline or motivate ourselves.
Well, that sucks! I guess I have to go jogging now.
Thanks for doing the research.
on the relena sight it says that you can lose weight by simply eating fewer calories and fat, but because the body stores fat during times of deprivation and you will most likely lose muscle and bone before fat. this causes cellular metabolism to slow down, so in the long run, it would make gaining weight easier, as well as decrese bone density and muscle mass. by using HCG with the low calorie diet, extra fat is mobilized for energy and the rest is eliminated, the low calorie diet is vital in preventing immediate refilling of empty fat cells. you benifit by preferentially getting rid of excess fat without affecting bone and muscle. i know that if you eat less than 1000 cal per day you body does go into a starvation mode and when you do start to eat more you gain the fat back twice as fast can you tell me what you know about this
Well, I guess you've researched Hcg but what you may not know is that Dr. Steelman also does his research and has a very successful practice. He offers more than just Hcg programs for weight loss. There will always be criticism with success. God bless you. You must be a thin person.
I also am a recent patient of Dr. Steelman. I have lost over 7 lbs. in 7 days. Being a nurse, I too was skeptical. However, I have spoken with a number of people who have used Dr. Steelman in this weight loss program, and years later, are still thin. I have done the 500 calorie diet with diet pills years ago with a different physician (before Releana was available) and lost the weight but it returned quickly and the weight gain increased. I don't believe for a minute that all Releana does is give me a psychological boost to lose weight. It does reduce food cravings and am told by other patients that after 2 weeks, my appetite will diminish further. In actuality Releana's website says is this: "hCG is believed to break down your abnormal body fat, causing you to lose inches. At the same time, it protects your body's good fat and muscle from depleting." And probably the reason it can't claim it's use as being effective in the treatment of obesity is because it has not yet been approved by the FDA for that purpose. I'm not sure, but I would think approval would have to come before legally being able to cite what it can be used for. Also, I believe it depends on which study you look at. The one done by Drs. Asher and Harper reveal a different outcome. Participants taking hCG in this study did lose more weight, were less hungry while dieting and felt better than those taking the placebo. I'm sure we all know 10 studies will reveal 10 different results. I say the proof is in the pudding!
I'd like to make a comment on the efficacy of Releana as it relates to my weight loss clinic.
I am a physician that has used Releana to successfully help almost 100 patients lose at least 20 pounds of abnormal fat during every 30 day treatment session. I consider it to be like aspirin, which had a long history of use in our profession before its mode of action was fully understood. I'm a clinician and I'll readily admit I am more interested in helping my obese patients than proving the physiological mode of action of hCG.
I have my own ideas about how the hormone works, but it is only a theory. I feel that the hCG allows the patients BMR to remain elevated even though they are on a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD). In addition, it seems that the hCG has some effect on making the fat stores available to be utilized as fuel. Lastly, when properly performed, the Simeons protocol as it has been called is effective in resetting the carbohydrate/fat burning mechanisms that is the primary cause of obesity in our culture.
America is in a health care crisis. More than 60 percent of US adults are overweight and 25% are considered obese. These numbers have nearly doubled in the last twenty years. Excess body weight has been linked to many common conditions affecting Americans. These include: heart disease, high blood pressure, back pain, certain cancers, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, gall bladder disorders, sleep apnea, Syndrome X (insulin resistance), and others. Health care costs directly related to obesity are second only to smoking and are increasing at an alarming rate.
I feel that the use of hCG "off label" for weight loss is consistent with the "First do no harm," tenant of the Hippocratic oath. In light of the mortality and long term health complications of properly performed gastric bypass surgeries, maybe this less invasive treatment option should be considered instead of dismissed as unscientific just because it has not be properly proven.
This year many patients will die undergoing gastric bypass surgeries. Also, others will die prematurely due to the causal effects that obesity has on many chronic illnesses. I am committed to helping as many of those people avoid that same fate by providing an "off label" and unproven treatment.
You may want to review the information and the studies at the following website. http://hcgobesity.org/research/index.html.
Others interested in learning more please review the information, before and after photos, testimonials, and my rantings of my website at http://web.mac.com/hcgweightloss/hcg_weightloss/Body_By_Skinovative_-_Home.html.
I am proud to live in a country where I can exercise my freedom of speech and argue these points in a public forum without fear of retribution. I am also thankful that I can prescribe prescription drugs such as hCG off label to continue to help improve the health of my overweight and obese patients.
I invite anyone serious about losing weight to seek out an experienced physician using the Simeon protocol. I find the biggest critics of this protocol are those who haven't tried it and the bariatric surgeons whose patients won't need their services if they chose to implement this unscientific program.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer my opinions on this highly controversial topic.
Dr. William Nelson, NMD
Chandler, AZ
480-855-7546
I went on the HCG Program and lost 35 lbs in 8 weeks. It was very easy to do. My beginning weight was 160 lbs and I am 5'6" tall and now I weight 125 lbs and feel great. This program really works without any hunger pains or headache from not eating. Thius is the fastest and best diet plan I have ever used. Thank you Dr. Stellman
This is all becoming very confusing to me. Are people simply not reading what's written? The clinical trials affirmed that people who use Releana or hCG DO, in fact, lose weight. I'm not disputing that!
What I'm pointing out is that the studies confirm that the 500 calorie per day diet, NOT hCG, is what causes people to lose the weight. There's no need for anectodal stories or wild speculation about anything beyond that.
If you want to lose weight quickly, your options are 1) pay hundreds of dollars for hCG and eat 500 caloriies a day, or 2) pay absolutely nothing and eat 500 calories a day. Releana and hCG have no scientific effect on weightloss, period.
Taylor,
You seem to be resistant to the possibility that hCG is effective in helping people lose weight. I appreciate your adherence to scientific rhetoric. However, the double blinded, double cross over, placebo controlled study, although generally accepted as the only way to prove safety and efficacy has consistently proven to be an ineffective model. We only need to look at the following information to realize that FDA approved and proven is not necessarily an effective model.
Shocking statistical evidence is cited by Gary Null PhD, Caroly Dean MD ND, Martin Feldman MD, Debora Rasio MD and Dorothy Smith PhD in their recent paper Death by Medicine - October 2003, released by the Nutrition Institute of America.
"A definitive review and close reading of medical peer-review journals, and government health statistics shows that American medicine frequently causes more harm than good. The number of people having in-hospital, adverse drug reactions (ADR) to prescribed medicine is 2.2 million. Dr. Richard Besser, of the CDC, in 1995, said the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed annually for viral infections was 20 million. Dr. Besser, in 2003, now refers to tens of millions of unnecessary antibiotics. The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is 7.5 million. The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9 million. The total number of iatrogenic deaths shown in the following table is 783,936. It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The 2001 heart disease annual death rate is 699,697; the annual cancer death rate, 553,251.
Health Care expenditures in the US have reached 14% of the Gross National Product and a staggering $1.6 trillion in 2003. No wonder, one might be tempted to say. With such an appalling record of efficacy and such an unbelievable death rate for the treatments routinely administered, the current medical system can only be said to be in great need of deep reform.
Certainly it would appear more urgent to investigate the rationale, efficacy and relative cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical medicine than to legislate restrictive rules for supplements of vital nutrients, as most governments and some international organisations are doing in these times.
I suggest as a clinician that the outcome of my patients is beyond dispute. A physicians clinical observations are often discounted and referred to anecdotal evidence, however if the physicians experience is consistently observed, it is often referred to as positive clinical outcome studies.
I suggest that this is a more effective method to measure efficacy than the outmoded and ineffective double blinded, double crossover, placebo controlled study.
In light of this I offer this study that does show statistically significant p values for reduction in skin fold thickness and an improved emotional effect of hCG in combination with VLCD when compared with the 500 calorie VLCD alone.
I provide the url for this positive study on oral sublingual hCG in a previous post. I would be interested in your comment after reading it. http://hcgobesity.org/research/index.html.
1) I don't have an agenda--unlike the people who constantly try and persuade me that Releana does work.
2) You said "scientific rhetoric." That is an oxymoron. Rhetoric is inherently unscientific. What YOU're doing is rhetoric--what I'm talking about is science.
3) You didn't reference a clincal study, you fucking dolt. In stead, you referenced a website from a doctor who pedals this shit for living. It's ironic that you would attack the scientific method and then reference a biased, sales-oriented website to combat "that new fangled science stuff."
Lastly, the portion of whatever you quoted about the CDC and FDA has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion at all. What are you proving? That the FDA gets things wrong? Ha! Of course the FDA gets things wrong--it's probably run by dipshits like you!
Taylor Caraway,
You completely discredited yourself with your last input. For awhile you were making sense, but now you invalidated every statement you made. Loser.
Taylor Caraway.
Most of the people that are doing well with HCG and weight loss have tried other methods before (and failed).
Many of them have tried VLCD diets before in one form or another (and failed).
Why then do they succeed when on HCG? I suggest you open that mouth of yours and insert a foot covered with HCG - you will see for yourself!
I can't explain to you in depth how an atom is made up of muons and gluons - and strange matter. That's theory. I can tell you though, that when I drop an anvil on my foot - IT HURTS!
The HCG worked when nothing else did. Same physician as before with a VLCD. I couldn't deal with the hunger and was QUITE irritable.
With the HCG - my appetite no longer ruled my existance. I am a skeptic by nature, and require proof before I believe in just about anything. This time (fortunately) ***** I ***** am now proof enough. 48 pounds - 6 weeks. ALL OFF MY GUT. I am stronger, healthier, and feel like a 20 year old again.
Be a skeptic all you want, I encourage you - just be careful not to become so adverse to new knowledge that you become irrelevant.
=)
Taylor-
The clinical studies you keep referring to were flawed- they did not follow the Dr. Simeon diet. Dr Simeons stresses how important it is to follow it to the T.
I lost 41 pounds in 52 days and have tried every diet under the sun. My blood work never look so good!!! My doctor was shocked.
It was impossible for me prior to HCG to even cut my calories- I loved to eat. HCG was the only thing that worked. Believe it or not - it is the HCG and not simply the very low calorie.
It is sad that you are so negative on the diet and are influencing others to not give the diet a chance - who could be healthy and happy right now.
Also, it only cost me $88.00 for the HCG to lose 41 lbs. Supplies for sublingual - under 20.00 for a grand total of 108.00.
I'm thinking of trying Releana. My interest is not in losing WEIGHT but in losing FAT. I do not want to sacrifice the hard-earned muscle that I have spent hours of effort building up. This is the Releana promise that I find so attractive. As Taylor Caraway has pointed out enumerable times, one can lose weight for free by going on any old 500 calorie diet, and I totally agree. But the problem I have with that is that I would probably have to sacrifice my muscle, too. The Releana program promises that the unwanted stored fat will be accessed to fuel the body during the restricted calorie intake instead of muscle.
I'm also attracted to the promise that Releana works without causing hunger because I react adversely to most appetite suppressants, and the hunger is a real bummer.
I lift weights and do resistance training in addition to aerobic exercise. What I want to know is if anyone has had any trouble maintaining strength, energy, mental alertness, and aerobic activity while on the Releana program? Have body builders used this program to reduce body fat? Will I fall over dead in the middle of my spin class or a set of squats? Will my body burn the fat to build the muscle?
P.S. Taylor, I think you are comparing apples and oranges...weight does not equal fat.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a46 years old female. 3 years ago I was on the program called OptiFast and I lost 35 pounds in 3 months. However I did have to stop because I was having gallbladder attacks. I did holistically take the gallstones out by doing the gallbladder flush (olive oil, epsom salts, grapefruit juice). I know it worked because of the Ultra Sound that was taken before and after of my gallbladder. I also have been trying to eat raw food and not alot of meat and chicken.
My question is... I really want to do this program but I am afraid of having a gallbladder attack again. What do you think is the risk in me going on the RELEANA program and it triggering a gallbladder attack?
I am willing to try it but would just like to get the opinion of another doctor or of anyone else who might have had any kind of experience with this program and gallbladder problems.
Thank you for your comments.
Susan
I am just curious as to what taylor caraway's profession is to give such advice?
True you can lose weight eating only 500 cals a day,, but what happens when your metabolism catches up with that,, it slows down even more, it puts it into like hibernation mode and you gain more weight in the end.
You will eventually stop losing weight at 500 cals a day.
Every bodys body reacts different to different methods.
I think Taylor has proven that his only qualification to comment on the clinical efficacy of this incredible weight loss cure is his own personal bias and some curious distrust of a remarkable solution for people that need to lose weight. He has read to many Stephen Barrett articles from the quackwatch website.
Just read his comments and you'll realize that he is not an expert on weight loss. He has not even tried the diet, he is not a bariatric physician, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, a researcher, or in any position to qualify him to provide such seemingly authoritative comments.
I wouldn't be surprised if he worked for Nutri-system, Medifast, Weight Watchers or some other company selling a weight loss program that doesn't work. Either that or he is still living at home. A mid twenties overweight man/child who is still financially dependent on his physician/father who happens to performs gastric bypass surgery or lap bands for the morbidly obese.
He called one doctor successfully using this program a f***ing dolt. Why would anyone listen to this immature, rude and outspoken person is beyond me. Just listen to the people who have been successful and have no ax to grind.
I've lost 40 pounds in two sessions. I went from a size 14 to an 8. After a month on maintenance, I've maintained my weight but somehow gone down another dress size.
I know the doctor Taylor so immaturely ridiculed and he chose to stop blogging on this website because of the vulgar comments Taylor made to him.
ha ha.
You people really take your pseudoscience seriously!
It's so odd to me how people accuse me of having an agenda, and then they defend doctors who pedal unscientific malarke in order to make a buck. I have no agenda. I don't care what you people choose to do with the truth. If you want to continue to recite stories of weightloss and fat loss, great. My entire point is that Releana and hCG have absolutely no scientific connection to losing weight or fat, period.
My Chiropractor and daughter were both very overweight. He lost 50 lbs and she lost 75, she did the program of 6 wks twice, they are developing their own program to help clients. If you just do the limited calorie diet it slows the metabolism and you lose vital muscle, although the medical profession does NOT know everything, it is proposed the diencepholon is reprogrammed to burn the hard to lose body fat and how it stores future fat. Essentially, reprogramming that certain aspect in the hypothalamus...I have read Dr. Simeon's book as well as Kevin Trudeau's, sometimes medicine takes a while to catch up with what works. They cannot sell a natural product so they focus on medications. J.Gordon, MSM,BSN,RN.
I am a long-time patient of Dr. Steeleman, having lost 80-100 lbs. four previous times in my life. I am currently on the Releana program and have dropped from 265 to 219 in 7 wks. The thing I notice this time about the weight loss is the elasticity of my skin seems to be doing much better than it did on the liquid fast diet. I plan to drop 20 or pounds before going on the maintainence plan. Hopefully, it will stay off better than it has in the past. I have not noticed any ill effects from the Releana. I'm still hungry, but do not crave carbs as I did on previous diets. I feel great and look great. Thanks, Steeleman Staff.
Richard Soliday
One of the Doc's in my OBGYN's office that I go to has done the hcg diet and has had wonderful response to the program...so much so that they have made it possible for those who struggle with their weight to take part in the program. During my consultation today I was asked whay my goal was for weight loss and my response was Do you want my "want goal weight" or a "realistic goal"? They asked for the want goal and I said anywhere between 35-45lbs. when the doc smiled and said that was a realistic goal with this program, I was thrilled. I will be getting married at the end of September and would like nothing more then to drop 40lbs. before I walk do the isle. I will keep you all updated on the outcome and for those that are skeptics...we will see. I have never had to struggle with my weight and have always been pretty athletic and even in the Marine Corps so I know how to stay fit, get fit and eat healthy but after having my 3rd child and hitting my early thirties, that all changed. Like I said, I will keep you informed. Oh and as for Taylor Conway...I AM STILL wondering WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED TO MAKE THESE STATEMENTS? I am sure we would all like to know!
This is so confusing. Please read what is written, as well as the clinical trials linked in the post before commenting something along the lines of, "Releana works, and here's a story for you..."
The clinical trials affirm that people do, in fact, lose weight on Releana in conjunction with a Very Low Calorie Diet. The study also confirmed, however, that patients lost the same amounts of weight regardless of whether they took Releana or placebo. The Very Low Calorie Diet is what causes weight loss, not Releana.
The study did not prove Releana had any effect on appetite. The only scientifically verifiable difference between those who did and did not take Releana was a slight reported difference in mood.
I really don't understand why everyone gets defensive about the fact that Releana has no scientific efficacy.
Please spare all of us more anecdotal stories of, "I lost so much weight on Releana, and it was so easy!!!" If pseudoscience makes weight loss easier for you because of its psychological effect, no one really cares. In fact, no one even fakely cares.
I don't understand why people continuously attack me for posting links and information from the Releana website itself. It's mentally retarded.
So, Taylor, did YOU actually read the data you've insisted throughout this entire discussion "proves" that HcG is ineffective in assisting in weightloss? The study DOES say that both groups lost similar amounts of weight. HOWEVER, it also states that there is a significant difference in the TYPE of weight lost. Here is a quick excerpt from the study.
"However, regarding the analysis of FW and BW data, we detected significant differences for the effect of the INTERACTION (p<0.005 and p<0.05, respectively). Comparing FW patterns from groups P and G1: F (5,230)=4.55, p<0.001. For the comparison P vs. G2, (BW and FW data), we obtained: F(5,140)=4.20 and 2.97, respectively (p<0.01 for both cases)."
It shows that there was a significant difference in the FW (fat weight) of those in group P (given a placebo) and in group G2 (administered 250 iu of HCG daily).
No one here is denying they couldn't lose a ton of weight on a 500 calorie a day diet. What they're saying is that FOR THEM it stopped cravings. The obvious reason for this would be that the body is burning excess stores of fat instead of burning muscle. When the body burns muscle, it's natural response self-preservation response it to cause hunger pangs so you will eat and it won't have to burn muscles for energy anymore.
There WAS a difference between the groups. I guess you just weren't focusing on the whole study - just the weight loss.
And THERE. Now you have the non-anecdotal research and new fangled science stuff that you were looking for. Funny thing is, it is the same research you used to start this whole forum. Congratulations on being a fucking dolt.
That isn't quite the whole truth.
First, studies have conclusively proven that adipose tissue does not have receptors that can receive the hCG, let alone benefit from it. The claim that hCG works to burn more pure fat is absolute malarke, as it is not even possible for fat to receive it, let alone benefit from it.
Second, if you're looking for an appetite suppresant to stop cravings, there are plenty of safe, effective drugs on the market, including the prescription drug Phentermine.
This is what I don't get... If you're not selling or financially benefiting from the sale of hCG, why do all of you care so much? It's like weightloss is a religion to you people and hCG came forth from the empty tomb. Why does it crush you people so much that hCG is a marketing-hyped bullshit weightloss drug? If you lost weight with hCG or Releana, and now you're finding this out, you should be happy! It means that YOU were able to lose the weight. YOU did it! Not some "miracle in a bottle" weightloss drug. I really don't see the resistance--unless, of course, you benefit from the sale of this bullshit...
I have lost over 90 lbs in a year through good nutrition and exercise. I lost 60 bs in about 90 days the good old fashioned way. I also increased my bf% by losing so quickly. So a good part of my weight was muscle loss. I became anal about checking my bf % cause at the end of the day that is the number that matters. I heard about HCG and the 500 cal restriction. I thought to myself that is so stupid people are just losing muscle. After I got married I put some of the weight back on. My wife wanted to try HCG and in my support of her I decided to do it with her. And at the first sight of my muscle mass going down or bf% increasing I would stop. The weight came off the bodyfat dropped the muscle stayed.
Hey if anyone wants to say hcg doesn't work thats fine. Or if they want to say its all in their head great but lets not forget how powerful the mind is and if for some reason it helps people to lose weight then who cares. How it works, it honestly doesn't matter how many people say it works the point is that Taylor you made up your mind about this as soon as you started the blog. You are a disbeliever that's cool I mean I personally am not here to change your mind. I have wasted enough time as it is even typing this out, I have personally seen so many people try and fail on other programs including vlcd and exercise programs It seems like by some crazy miracle people are losing fat and not muscle. If you are really so obsessed with how it works or the science behind it become a scientist do the research and figure out. I mean hey the world used to be flat and it took quite some time before they was ever figured out. but it happened.
Its a free country you have all the right to tell the world that you don't think hcg works it just seems like for whatever miraculous reason it is working for some. That is enough for me I'm done I'm out.
Releana is quite different than just doing a low calorie diet. It targets the fat. The weekly tests show the fat reduction percentage which correlates with the weight loss. For me, just the HCG is enough but there are all-natural appetite suppressants to take, if needed, to stay on the strict diet. I was 237 pounds and unable with many tried methods to lose and am at 205 since 8/8/2008.
I've been considering the releana program and have been told the cost for a 28 day program is approximately $500. I just read the comment about $88 program in this series of blogs. What product was it and where do you get that?
interesting...
Yes, I too would like to know where you found Releana for 88 dollars. Please post where you bought it. Thanks
I started Releana last Sunday 10/11 officially (3day) and on Tuesday 10/14 when I went back in for a check in I had lost 8 lbs. in 3 days. I weigh 260 and am 5'1. While I am overweight I have over 48% muscle and did not want to lose that part. I feel good, restful, I have started doing housework again.
I do not know exactly how the hcg works, I was skeptical too but it works. I am still hungry at times but it isn't uncomfortable nor for long.
I went to Red Mountain Medical Spa in Glendale. It was $375 for the oral, a 30 days supply, but it incld. lab work and everything else. They have offices in Scottsdale &d Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Susan Bentz.
I believe it works how it says it does because when I got pregnant I didn't stop eating or do anything but I actually lost 20 pounds with each pregnancy. Dr. told me I was burning fat, something with my hormones. The Dr. said it happens with some women & not harmful to me or the babies & not to worry. So I choose to believe.
The original work by Dr. Simeon never said that the Hcg targeted the fat cells. Instead, it causes the brain to stimulate the body to digest fat. The Hcg is targeting the brain.
"but people do stupid things all the time". You love suicide, don't you Taylor? Insulting your readers... hmmm... it's a "no-no" for writers. But c'mon, when you are fourteen years old and still beating it with the last Vic Secret in hand, it's no surprise. Time, my friend, will bring you wisdom. However, I seriously doubt it, for "experience is not what happens to you... it's what YOU do whith what happens to you".
Cheers
I've used the oral releana & had fantastic results. I've not only lost the weight, I've lost it in the areas I normally can't even get good results when I target them with exercise. Plus, I haven't been hungry. Say what you will, but it works. Anyone who is really interested should research for themselves on the Releana site. It explains why it works (such as not being hungry because the hormone enables your body to utilize stored fat as energy). It's not a "mental" thing, it's a physical change in your body. Releana also resets your hypothalamus, which affects your metabolism & that's why you can keep the weight off - permanently!
Taylor
Just a few thoughts of note for you here buddy.
First - watch the language - when you argue - and curse - you lose credibility. The first step to losing an argument is entering it.
Second - you really need to brush up on statistical analysis if you think the 3 studies the FDA safety group (CDER) used to evaluate HCG for weight loss were significant in any way. These studies used no first hand research other than a non-blinded study that had 8 - count them - EIGHT - subjects.
Third - none of the FDA studies followed the Simeions, or the Belluscio diets as prescribed and administered by those physicians.
Fourth - where did you get your doctorate? I only have a BS, Masters, and ongoing education as a medical professional. You sure must have gone to school a lot longer than I have to argue so much with physicians and patients here who are just trying to help others.
FIFTH - THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRST - HAS ANYTHING YOU HAVE WRITTEN HERE BEEN OUT OF A DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS?
You got my attention, and I hope I have not really flamed you. Frankly, my wife is the physician in our family - she has used hCG in her practice, and it works. When dieting alone does not work - it works.
You might say I have an agenda - that of caring about other people that NEED help. Physiologically speaking, starvation is not a good way to lose weight. That might explain why you feel bad when you starve. The people she has treated with HCG and VLCD have not lost muscle - have lost weight, and uniformly report more energy, feeling healthier, and send her more patients.
By the way - our office isn't one of those meat grinders designed to make money. We live in a small town and really only set up the office to help our community. I'm a Physical Therapist who isn't afraid to say I was taught wrong about reduced calories and increased exercise as the only formula to lose weight. People who fail with those programs do well on the HCG.
Bottom line -
You can argue with success, but you SHOULDN'T. It's better to remain silent and be thought an idiot, than to speak and prove it.
(I know - but somehow, the cliche' fits)
Brent, in Ga
If one reads the studies carefully, you can see that all except one did NOT follow Dr. Simeons protocol
The one study that did follow it showed the opposite of what you are saying - that HCG actually DOES produce more fat loss than a placebo.
You can see a great post about it here:
HCG Diet Facts
Okay Taylor!
I just completed the program with Dr. Steelman with amazingly GREAT results.
I also agree completely with Brent from GA above.
You really should as a 27 year old YOUNG man have looked into this subject matter much more thoroughly.
I was personally skeptical as well, the VLC diet. 500 Calories! Unbelievable! I told my friends - well that's how you lost the weight, and I sure didn't want to spend the money!
However, I enrolled into Dr. Steelman's program and I went from 266lbs to 186 lbs with 6 more lbs to lose, I am a firm believer when nothing else could help. Have you ever actually sat down and had a discussion with Dr. Michael Steelman? What a terrific individual he is, and if you had made an appeal to talk with him about doing your own little study you may have learned some things. He has been around helping people overcome weight loss for longer than you have been alive.
Okay, so I am not going to go into all the details of what I have learned while studying this myself. This is a comment area, and I don't know you, and you don't know me. I am merely posting this comment because I know over a dozen people who have been helped and hundreds of pounds coming off and they are keeping the weight off.
I am concerned if people took your advice about HCG and really needed to get the weight off to LIVE... then your advice / influence is an injustice. Your blog made me feel very sad. I want people to experience the liberation I have FINALLY experienced at 48. I have a new release on life, I feel 15 years younger, I have an incredible amount of new energy and I am able to do so many more things. May God help all of us in our journey to know truth!
Sincerely,
Stephen
Oklahoma City, OK
Loosing weight is not just a physical adjustment,is mental evolution, a learning process and self control.
I used HCG and it was 100% succesful. Before HCG I ran a marathon, worked out 5 times a week with a well known personal trainer, eat 1400 cal. diet daily - controlled by a nutritionist and trainer and my weight was going up and down - more up than down!(yeah, muscle weights... but was not muscle!)
I am a female, 36 yrs old and I developed a super strong body (weight trainig for the last 7 yrs). You can see muscles all over BUT fat percentage was basically always the same (didn't matter how much I worked-out) and OFCOURSE I've got really frustrated.
Someone told me about Releana. I am a athlete, very healthy eater, not obesse but you could see me as a strong, musculous and chubby and I never thought that a drug could help... till I tried Releana. In 28 days I've lost 17.6 pounds OF FAT. Yes, true, I lost some muscle... but just a 0.03% !! (nothing!)(tested in 2 different machines) -
Stayed 1 month more in maintanance and started my work out/training again. EXCELLENT results! I lost the "storaged fat" that was not letting me burn the other fat!! Now, total, I've lost 37 pounds and feel/look great. Curves are where they have to be and cant stop smiling!
Physical..? Mental...? I dont know... but worked. Just make sure you are going to a REAL weight buster doctor (reliable) and take appetite supressants - that helps a lot!! specially the first 5 days.
PS: English is not my Mother Language. I apologize for any grammar mistakes.
I am a Chemistry professor and a Releana fan as well. I tried diets, but felt so cranky, irritable, and hungry that I wanted to literally chew an arm off. I was not a candidate for diet pills because my obesity had caused me to develop high blood pressure. As a last resort, I decided to give HCG a try and it was miraculous! After 3 days, I felt like I was not on a restricted diet. I had tons of energy and I was successfully able to lose 45 pounds in 6 weeks. My blood pressure is a healthy 110/70 and my cholesterol is 160. I could care less if "clinical" trials show no efficacy. All I care about is that it changed my life! I have kept the weight off for two years!
Taylor,
I'm with you, just read the study.
I'm concerned with most of the postings. Seemingly they have a similar writing style.
This looks suspiciously like an attempt to persuade the normal looky-loo as you have a high google rating.
Speak the truth,let Darwinism take care of the others.
Taylor,
I'm one of the few people that is posting here that is not on the hcg diet, nor do I prescribe hcg. I am a physician, however, and I think I can help explain the disconnect you are having with many of your posters.
Anecdotal evidnce has always been considered the poorest form of evidence. It is uncontrolled, not reproducible, and cannot be used to extrapolate any useful information to help the general population.
However, the conclusions of a single study are not suficient to either support or refute the efficacy of any therapeutic regimen.
In light of the mass of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of hcg, one must say that further studies are necessary to determine the true relationship between hcg and weight loss and to either support the hypothesis of your aformentioned study or refute it.
Now can we all be friends?
Good morning all! I was doing some research on this Releana weight loss program. From what I have found – it appears to be all good. Of course, there will always be critics – but if the majority of those on this “miracle diet” are successful – then I am ALL in! The only negative I read about were the hCG injections which resulted in rashes and skin breaks in the area of the injection (which is to be expected). Today, March 17, 2009 is my second day on the Releana plan (the first two days you have to eat food HIGH in FAT, needless to say I have been VERY successful these past two days!) :) – I will be sure to get back on here and let you all know about results! I know I am a bit late in responding to this blog – but I am excited about the program. Regardless if the cost is $88 or $488, if it will result in a healthier me, then I am all in! I would rather pay this amount than have to pay a hospital because of the struggles of obesity (heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc) or my family having to pay for a funeral – some things are just WORTH IT!
I am getting ready to try the hCG.
i have been evrything from a size 3 to a size elastic. for me it is a last hope. If it keeps me from being hungry then I say Praise the LORD!
I have tried Phentermine. I lost about 35 pounds with it. Then I went off and gained about 50 pounnds. there are tons of awful side effects with Phentermine.
I have tried every diet. over a one year period I lost probasbly close to a 100 pounds. The sad thing is it was the same 40 pounds over and over again.
You can get hCG online for $13. a treatment. That should help you to loose close to 40 pounds or more. You can find tons of support online to help you with mixing and support.
The one thing I know about the hCG is that the people that i know have never regained the weight they lost.
Like most overweight people, I have nothing to loose by trying this one. I will either add it to my long list of "tried it" or it will be thw jack pot.
This guy is a hcg hater. Wow!
If your're looking for scientific proof that hCG works, just disregard this post. If you are tired of being overweight, and just want a solution, here is my testimonial.
I'm writing this because I know there may be someone who needs to lose weight and may be considering hCG, but will choose not to because of the convincing arguments on this site.
The 40 pounds of fat I lost didn't care if the program was proven.
I had been trying to lose weight for over 20 years. I put it on during my pregnancy and was unable to lose the weight despite a lot of exercise and strict adherence to numerous diets (Atkins, Sugar Busters, Weight Watchers, Nutri-systems, Jenny Craig, etc.) and prescription drugs that were hard on my heart (Phentermine).
Two years ago, I lost 50 pounds on hCG and I have referred five others who have also been incredibly successful.
Because my friends knew of my endless struggle with my weight, they all asked me what I did. When I explained the diet, they thought it sounded too good to be true, but they trusted me.
I have referred six friends for hCG weight loss to my doctor. Five of them lost weight and have kept it off. One didn't or couldn't follow the diet and was unsuccessful.
Bottom line. hCG works. We don't know how. Who cares. Aspirin was used for almost 100 years before we discovered the exact mechanism. hCG has been used for over 40 years without serious side effect or risks.
Find a doctor willing to prescribe hCG and quit listening to reasons why it won't work from naysayers. Just commit 1 month to the program. If you follow the diet you'll lose a minimum of 15 pounds of fat and inches where you need to. You may lose more. Follow the transition and maintenance and you'll keep it off.
My mother and grandmother were obese and eventually died from complications from Type II diabetes and heart disease. Since I lost the weight and changed my eating habits, my blood sugar and blood pressure have become healthy and normal. Why would you wait for "proof" if you can prevent serious illness on hCG.
The program is so simple, you can get hCG online and just follow the "Pounds and Inches" protocol by Dr. Simeon. If you need extra help, or if you have type I or type II diabetes, I would recommend a doctor like Dr. Steelman or my doctor, Dr. William Nelson (Chandler, AZ)
Hello,
I have seen people who are on the hcg diet and who have lost a lot of weight. However, person number one, although having a drop dead gorgeous body now, looked tired when I saw her and I wondered what was wrong with her and that's when I found out that she is on this diet.
Over the past 2 years I've gained 20 lbs. I am usually around 120 - 125 lbs.
Recently another person brought up the HCG diet to me and that is when I decided to try this diet.
I was on the diet for about 2 weeks. I had minimal weight loss, about 4 to 5 lbs. I was constantly hungry in an almost agonizing way. I developed headaches, I was constantly tired and felt fatique and in the 2nd week I developed leg cramps. I drank water as if there is no tomorrow.
I am in a high energy job, that requires me to be alert, very alert at all times and I have to be ready to go as in run and possibly fight for someone's life or even my own. I walk about 10 miles a day in this job. This means that the HCG diet and the way that it made ME feel was hindered me from being feeling as a healthy, energetic and alert person. I am also a mother of a 12 year old who needs my attention which he was deprived of because I was fatique, had headaches and was constantly miserable.
Considering all these things, I have decided to stop the HCG diet. I left the program with some very good ideas though. I learned how to adjust my eating. I now eat very healthy yet very low fat and calories. I grill my meats and fish on my G. Foreman grill, I make my own tomato sauce without using any kind of oil and it's delicious. I learned how to make a yummi apple dessert without adding sugars etc etc etc.
Over the past week, I have been drinking at least 10 - 12 cups of green tea which I prepare the night before and taking to work with me in a jug the next day. I carry this thing around all day.
My daily calorie intake is always below 500 but I have plenty of vegetables, plenty of protein, plenty of fruit and I also bought shirataki noodles if I want the satisfaction that pasta gives me. In this past one week I lost 5 lbs which I wasn't able to loose while on the HCG diet and contrary to the way that I felt while on the HCG diet, I feel GREAT.
To supress hunger, like HCG is supposedly doing, one can take a LifeCap three times a day with water. It has all the vitamins that one needs and the green tea does wonders also.
I am not discrediting the HCG diet because I read all the time how people have great success on this diet but for ME, it did not work. Now I am losing the weight, I feel healthy, no more headaches, no more fatique and I am very alert.
I think that some things just don't work for everyone and each individual has to find their own way and their own path when on the journey of weight loss.
I am the prime example that the HCG diet is not working for everyone, even when they stick to the diet to the T but I have also seen those that were and are successful.
I also enjoy being able to use the lotions and shampoos again that I want.
I just felt completely deprived over everything during the HCG diet and literally felt enslaved by it's program.
Now I am free, happy, healthy and losing weight.
To all of you, I wish the very best and much success, no matter which way to lose weight you choose.
Lifecaps are great. They really curb the hunger and have helped me lose weight. I call them "My meal in a pill" LOL. At first I was taking 2 at a time. That might help you as well. You can find them at http://LifeCaps.net. I found that if you use Coupon code GoCaps you’ll save 33%. Good luck!
You obviously didn't do your homework buddy. I've been researching HCG for the last 48 hours and have read your page and believed what you wrote about why people can lose the weight ...UNTIL...I read this
http://www.hcginfoonline.com/ORIGINAL_Dr_Simeons_Pounds_and_Inches.htm
This book has enough evidence and clinical proof to support the effects of HCG and its direct connection to removing excess fat from the body...and I'm sure all the others who commented here said plenty on the reason it works...
However, while there is definite evidence that HCG injections are effective, the effects of releana and all the other forms of oral HCG don't have the support of clinical study going back over 40 years ago...they might just be claims or they might work just like the real thing, we'll have to look into it more...
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