IAPAM’s Position Statement on using hCG for Weight Loss

The IAPAM is committed to educating physicians in the industry’s best practices for hCG for weight loss. In support of this commitment, the IAPAM has prepared a position statement on safely using hCG for Weight Loss.
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In summary:

IAPAM agrees with the FDA on Homeopathic hCG. The IAPAM supports the FDA/FTC’s removal of homeopathic hCG from the market. Homeopathic hCG is unproven and unsafe, and was never used for weight loss in the original Dr. Simeons program for weight loss.
hCG on its own is not effective for weight loss. What is required is a strict protocol that includes the use of prescription hCG, diet and patient counseling in order for hCG to be successful for weight loss.
The IAPAM has found that physician directed hCG weight loss programs are very successful. Over 15,000 patients have safely and successfully lost weight by working with physicians who follow the IAPAM hCG for Weight Loss Protocol.
The IAPAM does not endorse prescribing hCG for weight loss unless the physician has been properly trained, evaluates every patient, and reviews a comprehensive medical history along with current lab testing.
Most existing hCG studies are flawed. The IAPAM has found that the few studies which have found that hCG offers no benefit over placebo for weight loss, do not always follow the original Simeons Protocol precisely.

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The IAPAM Agrees with the FDA’s Position in Homeopathic hCG

The IAPAM is in total agreement with the FDA’s ban on homeopathic hCG.

It is unsafe for a person to undertake a 500 calorie a day diet without the direct supervision of a physician. The original Simeons hCG protocol did not use or envision homeopathic hCG. Homeopathic hCG is unproven and unsafe, and these products contain little or no hCG.

The IAPAM’s concerns regarding homeopathic hCG were supported last week by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) action against 7 distributors of homeopathic hCG. “This joint action is the first step in keeping the unproven and potentially unsafe products from being marketed online and in retail outlets as oral drops, pellets, and sprays.” “These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.”

The IAPAM’s Physician Supervised hCG Protocol

hCG is only one part of an hCG program. The key to successful weight loss is: to use pharmaceutical grade hCG, to follow a strict diet and maintenance protocol, and to be under the direct supervision of a physician. A full patient medical history and complete lab testing is needed prior to any patient going on the hCG program. Using hCG alone will not result in safe, long term weight loss.

Over 15,000 patients have safely and successfully lost weight under physician supervision and on the IAPAM’s hCG Protocol. hCG will never be an FDA approved drug for weight loss, because it does not work on its own. It requires the patient to follow a strict diet protocol and counseling. When followed, the results have been very obvious to the 15,000 patients who have followed the IAPAM’s hCG protocol.

Inaccuracy in Existing hCG Studies

Finally, in reviewing many of the studies that have been completed since the 1960s, it appears that many of these trials did not follow the Simeons Protocol exactly. Physicians, who have reviewed the studies, have commented that they “were small studies and not rigorously controlled.” Moreover, many of “the studies done on hCG in the literature were not undertaken by physicians trained on the hCG diet,” and/or the “studies did not look at some of the touted benefits of hCG, such as how people feel on the diet, how and where they lose weight, and the success rates of people taking hCG.”

hCG Diets and Dieting - Dr. Oz and the IAPAM Weigh In

On February 22, 2011, the Dr. Oz Show showcased hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ) for weight loss.

The core messages of the Dr. Oz Show regarding hCG and Weight Loss are consistent with the key messages taught in theIAPAM’s hCG Physician Training:

1. Physician Supervision is Key.
2. Never buy hCG over the internet. Only use pharmaceutical grade hCG as prescribed by a physician. hCG that is not prescribed by a physician is homeopathic hCG andhas been found to only contain trace amounts of real HCG.
3. Successful weight loss using hCG requires that the patient follow a proven hCG protocol precisely.

The Dr. Oz broadcast covered other elements associated with hCG for weight loss:

hCG Diet for Weight Loss

Dr. Oz said that thousands of people swear by an hCG Protocol (hCG Diet). The protocol dates back to the 1950’s when Dr. A.T.W. Simeons found that hCG could promote weight loss by suppressing appetite and burning fat (Source: A.T.W. Simeons, Pounds and Inches). On an hCG Diet you only eat 500 calories per day, rather than the 1200 calories that most dietitian believe to be safe. Dr. Oz emphasized that an hCG diet should not be undertaken unless supervised by a physician.

(Source: Dr. Oz Fans)

What is hCG?

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) was first discovered by researchers in the urine of pregnant women. hCG is specifically the glycoproteic hormone normally secreted by trophoblastic cells of the placenta during pregnancy. Today, most hCG on the market, such as Pregnyl, is synthetic.

Interestingly, some researchers do not consider hCG a “true hormone.” The term hormone was coined by Banting and Best in 1915 and was used to denominate those substances that are produced in one organ and their actions are performed elsewhere in the organism. Thus, testosterone is a hormone, because it is produced in the testicles, exerting its action on skin, brain, etc. However, hCGhas been found in every human tissue, and is found in males and both pregnant and non pregnant females. (Source: http://www.oralhcg.com)

As mentioned, the first report on hCG and obesity was published in 1954 in The Lancet, by British physician, Dr. A.T.W. Simeons.

Previous to this, hCG was reported to be a useful drug for the treatment of certain clinical presentations of adolescent obesity, except Frohlich’s syndrome. After Simeons publication, hCG was advocated for several years as a useful approach to obesity. The pendulum of its popularity swung back and forth until a series of studies in the early and mid 1970’s espoused that hCG was “of no use” to weight management. However, since the 1994 publication of “Utility of an oral presentation of hCGfor the management of obesity. A double-blind study,” by Drs. Daniel Belluscio, Leonor Ripamonte, and Marcelo Wolansky Ph.D, the medical community is again investigating the use of hCG as an aid in the fight against obesity. And finally, since the 2007 publication of Kevin Trudeau’s controversial monograph, The Weight Loss Cure, dozens of new websites and numerous hCG offerings at weight clinics and from weight loss practitioners are appearing.

How To Do an hCG Diet

Brief Overview of Complete Protocol

125 iu of hCG is administered daily (with the exception of menstruation.)
Until 3rd injection the patient eats excessively.
Following the third injection, the 500 calorie diet (VLCD) and personal care product restrictions are applied and continue through 72 hours after the last injection. This portion of the protocol takes no more than 40 days. Tasty hCG recipes are critical to success during this phase of the protocol.
For the continuing 3 weeks, all foods are allowed except sugar and starch- this includes sweet fruits.
After the 3 weeks starches are introduced into the diet in very small quantities and weight is monitored to ensure weight maintenance.

The IAPAM agrees, and has outlined the critical reasons why Supervision is Key.

The importance of physician supervision revolves around preventing or managing side effects:

Patients undergoing surgical procedures require alterations of their hCG regimen.
Patients who experience menstrual irregularities following the initiation of hCG therapy also require alterations.
Patients whose medical history revealed certain risk factors that required clearance from their personal specialists and
Some patients are found to be in a category for whom taking hCG could potentially be unsafe (history of hormone sensitive cancers, etc.)

Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) can slow down the metabolism significantly and can place patients at higher risk for medical issues such as muscle wasting and kidney issues (including all out renal failure). The hCG protocol, though it is safe, and has a different pathophysiology behind it than regular VLCDs do, and therefore must be monitored to ensure these aforementioned issues to not arise.

Some patients are not approved for the protocol because of medical issues that are undiagnosed. This demonstrates the importance of the pre-protocol examination/labs etc. Interestingly, if these issues are found and addressed before contemplating the protocol, sometimes these remediations take care of the weight, and the protocol is unnecessary.

Finally, supervision is important because patients are less likely to change the protocol or add a little bit here and there. They stay on point, they understand each phase of the protocol and the reasons for each phase.

hCG Shot & 500 Calories Per Day

In his February 22nd program, Dr. Oz asked Dr. Sheri Emma why you have to be so dramatic and cut your intake down to 500 calories instead of 1000 or 1200 calories. Dr. Emma said that obesity is becoming an epidemic in this country and people need to get to their goals faster. You are not just living off of the 500 calories from your food anyway, your body also begins to take calories from your fat stores.

(Source: Dr. Oz Fans)

hCG Diet Success

Dr. Oz spoke with several women on his show, who all said they had tremendous success while on the hCG Diet. A member of the audience, Lisa, said the first two days she was hungry, but she ate lots of greens and drank lots of water and before long she had much more energy and felt better than ever. Lisa lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks. Another lady said she dropped 30 pounds in 6 weeks and had no side effects and even felt better.

Proponents of hCG for weight management agree that the ultimate success of hCG in weight loss is linked to medical supervision and strict adherence to the medical protocol, originally outlined by Dr. Simeons in his manuscript, Pounds and Inches, (http://www.iapam.com/dr-simeons-pounds-and-inches-manuscript.html).

$IAPAM\'s hCG Patient Guidebook$ It is the responsibility of health care professionals to: supervise, advise, guide and control their patients health - before, during and after treatment. The physician should establish which patients are good candidates for treatment with hCG, and together with these patients, set realistic expectations that allow for a successful outcome.

Patients seeking out expertly trained hCG physicians in their area, can browse the IAPAM’s hCG Diet Clinic Directory at http://www.iapam.com/aesthetic-resources/hcg-diet-clinics.

The IAPAM’s hCG Diet Clinic Directory lists hCG diet clinics that are owned and operated by physicians who have completed the IAPAM’s hCG for Weight Loss program. They have advanced training in utilizing hCG for weight loss, only offer pharmaceutical grade hCG, and all patients use the IAPAM’s comprehensive patient guidebook.

Homeopathic hCG vs. Pharmaceutical Grade hCG

Dr. Oz asked Dr. Emma about “hCG Drops”, and she said that hCG Drops are Homeopathic Drops which can only contain trace amounts of real hCG, so it is not pharmaceutical grade.

Equally, Jeff Russell, Executive Director of the IAPAM (http://www.iapam.com) recently commented on a website where, “someone bought some homeopathic hCG on the internet and sent it to a lab for testing. When the results came back, it was discovered that it contained no hCG.” Mr. Russell’s concerns regarding the fraudulent distribution of so-called homeopathic hCG were echoed by Elizabeth Miller, the FDA’s leader for the Internet and health fraud team, who was quoted last week as saying that, “there is no evidence the oral over-the-counter products are effective for weight loss.”

“What is even more concerning,” comments Russell, “is that people are ordering homeopathic hCG and starting the hCG diet without proper physician supervision. Any physician trained in hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for weight loss knows that the hCG diet is not for everyone, and patients who engage in a physician-directed hCG Protocol must complete a series of lab tests to ensure they can safely go on an hCG diet program.”

The IAPAM is dedicated to educating physicians on all aspects of an hCG Protocol (http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com/physician-hcg-weight-loss-training), from diet to maintenance to the most common medical contraindications, so they can safely prescribe hCG to eligible patients. “People need to understand, hCG is not some kind of wonder drug; you just don’t take it and the weight magically disappears. You need to follow a very strict diet regimen, followed by a maintenance program. Jeff Russell cautions, that, “without following the entire protocol (hCG + diet + maintenance), you will not get the best results out of the program, which are:

targeted fat loss,
long term weight loss,
resetting of metabolism, and
resetting to a new “normal” weight.”

hCG is ONLY available by a prescription, and it is important for patients and physicians alike to ensure that any doctor administering hCG for weight loss is trained, certified and experienced in providing an hCG protocol (similar to the protocol outlined in Dr. Simeons manuscript, Pounds and Inches).

The FDA’s position on homeopathic hCG is clear. “We are aware of HCG products that claim to be homeopathic, but [are] not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Therefore, these products are not recognized by the FDA as homeopathic drugs, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal,” Ms. Miller says.

IAPAM’s Tips for Patients on an hCG protocol

Follow the protocol precisely…no changes or deviations….
Make sure to include the elimination of all fat products, including facial and body moisturizers-substitute an organic coconut oil-good for both face and body.
Take a daily pro-biotic to keep the health and integrity of the intestines. This protocol done properly provides an opportunity to do a major body cleanse.-eating organic fruits and vegetables. along with organic chicken, grass feed beef, wild fish not farmed raised gets away from the chemical stressors.
Weight yourself daily- a great barometer to see how well you are following the protocol-if you gain instead of loose, your must do an inventory of what you ate-did you use too much salt, did you use an ingredient that was not on the diet list….it’s a great resource to keep you honest and in reality.
At the end of the protocol, get a colonic.

If you have any questions about the IAPAM’s Physician hCG Training, or to register, go to http://www.aestheticmedicinesymposium.com/physician-hcg-weight-loss-training, email info@theiapam.com or call 10800-219-5108 ext. 708.

IAPAM Tips for Weight Loss

The IAPAM’s weight loss physicians offer these tips to help you lose weight or maintain your current weight:

Drink 2 glasses of water before every meal (it will make you get full faster).
Display fruits, not sweets. Get rid of the glass covered sweets display, and replace it with a fruit bowl.
Portion out your snacks. If you are going to have potato chips, fill a bowl with a serving size, then put the big bag away so you can’t see it!
Plate your meals, don’t eat family style, you’re much more likely to eat more if you placed the proper portion size on a plate.
Healthy restaurant menus may not be so healthy. According to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, you’re likely to underestimate a meal’s calorie total by more than a third. Read “Eat This, Not That” to find some of the best restaurant options.
Alcohol makes you hungry (limit it to one or two glasses per meal)
Restaurant portions are way too big, your choices are: (1) eat an appetizer, or (2) split an entre (either with another diner, or bring the other half home for another meal).
When making pasta, reduce the pasta and load up on meat and vegetables (tomatoes, onion, carrots, red peppers, zucchini, etc..)
Beware of office goodies. The office can be a source of 10-20lbs of fat per year. Skip the cakes, donuts, candies, and chocolates.
Hungry an hour after a meal? Have a glass of water, or go for a brisk walk.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts discovered that people who watched TV while they ate consumed nearly 300 more calories than those who dined without an eye on the tube.
Slow down while you eat. If you consciously stop to take a breath between bites, you can cut your food (and calorie) intake by 10 percent, according to researchers at the University of Rhode Island. It takes 20 minutes for the news that you’ve had enough to eat to travel from your gut to your brain. Another tip, try talking more between bites.
Plan for a morning and afternoon snack. An apple travels well, other ideas include the proper portion of nuts (i.e. almonds), protein bars, protein shakes.
Replace fruit juice with a homemade smoothie made from fruit (frozen or fresh). Quick recipe: 1/2c blueberries, 1 banana, 1 Tbsp peanut butter and/or 1 scoop of whey powder, 2 Tbsp quick cook oats, 1 1/2 cup skim milk.
Replace fried food with baked. For the breading, use Panko (Japanese style bread crumbs), egg whites, and a small amount of skim milk as a batter.

IAPAM Video Library

IAPAM Aesthetic Medicine Symposium Overview:

Overview of the IAPAM’s Botox Training Programs:

Botox Training at the IAPAM Aesthetic Medicine Symposium:

IAPAM Weight Loss Resources

Here are some physician oriented weight loss web resources the IAPAM has found that you may find useful:

IAPAM hCG Weight Loss Information

Follow Jeff’s hCG Weight Loss Journey

NHLBI’s The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults

NHLBI’s Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report

BMI Calculator

BMR Calculator

www.weightloss.com (by Roche laboratories)

Lapband adjustable gastric banding system (Allergan)

Vitamin B6 and B12 for Weight Loss

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This content is taken from the IAPAM’s Medically Supervised Weight Loss training program. The program is designed to help physicians incorporate a medical weight loss program into their medical practice.

Vitamin B12

What It Is and How it Works?

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is important to good health. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and also is needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion. Once released, B12 combines with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF) before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Read more

Physical Activity and Weight Loss

This content is taken from the IAPAM’s Medically Supervised Weight Loss training program. The program is designed to help physicians incorporate a medical weight loss program into their medical practice.

An increase in physical activity is an important component of weight loss therapy, although it will not lead to substantially greater weight loss over 6 months. Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake. Sustained physical activity is most helpful in the prevention of weight regain. In addition, it has a benefit in reducing cardiovascular and diabetes risks beyond that produced by weight reduction alone. For most obese patients, exercise should be initiated slowly, and the intensity should be increased gradually. The exercise can be done all at one time or intermittently over the day. Initial activities may be walking or swimming at a slow pace. The patient can start by walking 30 minutes for 3 days a week and can build to 45 minutes of more intense walking at least 5 days a week. With this regimen, an additional expenditure of 100 to 200 calories per day can be achieved. All adults should set a long-term goal to accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week. Read more

Treating Overweight and Obese Patients

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), treatment of an overweight or obese person incorporates a two-step process: assessment and management. Assessment includes determination of the degree of obesity and overall health status. Management involves not only weight loss and maintenance of body weight, but also includes measures to control other risk factors. Obesity is a chronic disease; patient and practitioner must understand that successful treatment requires a lifelong effort. Convincing evidence supports the benefit of weight loss for reducing blood pressure, and lowering blood glucose. Read more

Supervision is Key for hCG Weight Loss Success

The rate of success in patients that are not supervised during treatment is considerably lower than those who are supervised by a physician that adheres strictly to the protocol.

Part of the physicians responsibility is to supervise, advise, guide and control hCG patients health before, during and after treatment. The physician needs to be able to establish which patients are good candidates for treatment with hCG, and together with their patient set realistic expectations that will give them a successful outcome.

Medical supervision is key in order for patients to obtain optimal results using hCG. In 1973 Dr. W.L. Asher and Dr. Harold W. Harper published the results of a double blind study aimed to evaluate the effects of hCG on weight loss, hunger and feeling of well being in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Read more

Popular Weight Loss Diets

The Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet represents a departure from prevailing theories. Atkins claimed there are two main unrecognized factors about Western eating habits, arguing firstly that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, that saturated fat is overrated as a nutritional problem, and that only trans fats from sources such as hydrogenated oils need to be avoided. Consequently, Dr. Atkins rejected the advice of the food pyramid, instead asserting that the tremendous increase in refined carbohydrates is responsible for the rise in metabolic disorders of the 20th century, and that the focus on the detrimental effects of dietary fat has actually contributed to the obesity problem by increasing the proportion of insulin-inducing foods in the diet. While most of the emphasis in Atkins is on the diet, nutritional supplements and exercise are considered equally important elements. Read more