In the 1960s, British doctor A.T.W. Simeons, M.D., developed a highly successful weight-loss program which used a combination of a low-calorie diet and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injections. This method helped people lose up to a pound a day for a period of 23 to 40 days. The majority of patients lost around 25 to 35 pounds within 40 days. The central aspect of this program revolves around the use of hCG injections.
The hCG Weight-Loss Protocol
hCG is a hormone that can be found in the urine of pregnant women during their first trimester. Simeons’ method required a rigorously defined dietary protocol — consuming only 500 calories a day in combination with hCG injections. Upon first hearing about Simeons’ approach, numerous physicians, including me, were initially skeptical. However, the results speak for themselves.
The reason why this method works is because the daily hormone intake essentially steals from storage fat, using it as a source of calories. This causes the storage fat areas to reduce in size each day. Patients on the program usually feel great without any muscle wasting or sensations of starvation.
By the end of the 23 to 40 day period, and after an additional three weeks of stabilization foods (avoiding sugars and starches), patients not only lost weight, but also down-regulated their weight set point, which is the level of weight at which their body normally remains. This means that the weight loss is maintained quite well even after returning to regular calorie consumption. The results are even better when the majority of their diet is nutrient-rich and consists of mostly raw whole foods.
Simeons reported that in his follow-up patient studies, 85 percent of participants kept their weight off within 10 percent of their target and no one regained all of their weight back. Those who did gain more than 10 percent of their weight back did so after consuming unhealthy food for extended periods.
Different Types of Fat
In Simeons’ original manuscript, “Pounds and Inches, a New Approach to Obesity”, he identified three types of fat:
- Structural fat: This type of fat can be likened to packing material that surrounds internal organs, supports arteries, keeps the skin smooth and taut, and provides padding for bones throughout the body and underneath the feet.
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Reserve fat: This is the fuel that your body can freely use when the nutrients in your bloodstream are low and your organs need energy.
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Storage fat: This type of fat accumulates undesirably around the abdomen, hips, upper arms, buttocks, thighs, and breasts.
It is the storage fat that creates the unsightly bulges and pockets of obesity. When people try to lose weight by starving themselves, they first lose reserve fat as fuel. When this is depleted, they begin burning up structural fat, while storage fat remains.
Generally, when obese individuals restrict their calorie intake through starvation diets, they feel famished and weak. Although they might experience an overall reduction in size, their belly, hip, buttock, thigh, and upper arm areas display little weight reduction. The fat covering the bones, or structural fat, decreases, causing the skin to wrinkle and making the person look older. In contrast, the hCG protocol diet specifically targets storage fat, and it successfully works.
In short, the hCG weight-loss protocol designed by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons is a breakthrough method that combines a carefully planned low-calorie diet with hCG injections. This method not only helps participants lose weight quickly but also allows them to maintain their weight loss long-term by addressing issues such as set point regulation and targeting stubborn storage fat. By incorporating nutrient-rich, raw whole foods into their diets, participants can maximize their results and maintain their weight loss even after returning to a normal caloric intake.
