HCG Diet Dangers (a.k.a. Slender Wonder / Trim Shape)

Written by: EUGENE DAAMEN

OK so this HCG Diet is making it's way around again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The doctors who prescribe this VERY UNHEALTHY program to people are doing nothing but preying on their desperation to lose weight....below is my rant, and feel free to print it and give it to your doctor. I am not well loved in the medical community anyway, probably because I tell the truth about things, so what is a few more doctors pissed of at me about what I have to say...I hope you enjoy the read:

This is why I put together today's article for you, and ask that you pay close
attention if you know anyone even CONSIDERING this "diet".

This diet was fairly popular in the 1950's until it became clear that there was insufficient evidence to support using HCG for fatloss. As with most fad diets, the HCG Diet has resurfaced and makes some pretty outlandish claims. Many of the products declare that the diet will "reset your metabolism", change "abnormal eating patterns" and result with a "loss of 1-2 pounds per day."

HCG is a hormone produced in women by the placenta during pregnancy. HCG is sold as a prescription drug approved by the Food & Drug Administration for various medical conditions including the treatment of female infertility (but not weight-loss). The diet requires a daily injection of this hormone along with a scary obligation to eat a very low calorie diet of ONLY 500 CALORIES A DAY!

Why Do People Lose So Fast?

In short, people are actually losing twenty pounds and more per month because they are starving themselves! If you stop eating, you will likely drop weight quickly no matter what you are injecting into your body.

It's insane really... it will cost you hundreds of dollars a month and the real secret to this diet is... starvation. You don't have to pay for that... you can starve yourself free of charge.  (Which I don't recommend, unless you want to do serious, long-term damage to your metabolism.)

The HCG label actually states, there "is no substantial evidence that it increases weight-loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or 'normal' distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets."

Is It Safe?

No matter your size, that level of calorie restriction is severe and does not lack consequences. These include, but are not limited to, gallstone formation, irregular heartbeat, vitamin & mineral deficiency and electrolyte imbalance. This means that the HCG diet is not only unhealthy, it's hazardous.

Keep in mind that following this diet will give you an increased risk of headaches, blood clots, restlessness and depression. In addition, the HCG can give you pregnancy-like symptoms, such as water retention, breast tenderness and swelling. And finally, HCG can also cause a condition called OHSS, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is potentially life-threatening.

In addition to the calorie restriction being unsafe, the HCG hormone is actually illegal for over the counter sale for any reason. In fact, it's not approved for weight-loss even as a prescription. The FDA is warning any consumer currently using HCG for fat-loss to stop taking it and to stop following the dieting instructions immediately. I recommend this too!

My suggestion? Stick to what we know works--eating natural, wholesome foods, healthy supplements and exercise--and don't be fooled, misled or tempted by fad starvation diets and short-term, DANGEROUS fixes that require you to inject hormones in your body!

As the doctor who wants to sell you this crap if he/she even know exactly what HCG Pregnyl is?
Do they even have ANY nutritional qualifications? How can they expect you to survive on no more than 500 calories per day? Tell them to stave themselves and piss off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People get this into your heads.....THERE NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE A QUICK FIX!!!!

Every man and woman on this planet who looks damn good worked their asses of to look the way they do. If it was easy ,everyone would look good!!!

What is the point of losing 20kgs in a month and then gaining back 25kgs??????????????

You have just suffered and starved for a month...and for what???? SO YOU END UP FATTER THAN BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIBER (a very important part of your Macros, WHY?)

One of the most important Micro-Nutrients and one often not thought of is Fiber.

An amount of more or less 20g per day is recommended. It is important to remember that, just like with most things in life, more is not necessarily better and you can eat too much fiber which is NOT good for you.

It is recommended that you do not eat more than 40g a day. 

There are two types of fiber, Soluble and Insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water. Insoluble fiber does not. To some degree these differences determine how each fiber functions in the body and benefits your health.

It is very important to eat enough soluble and insoluble fiber for various reasons. 

SOLUBLE FIBERS 

It attracts water and form a gel, which slows down digestion. Soluble fiber delays the emptying of your stomach and makes you feel full, which helps control weight. 

Slower stomach emptying may also affect blood sugar levels by decreasing the glycemic effect of a meal and have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity, which may help control diabetes. 

In the Colon the fiber types that are most amenable to fermentation are the soluble ones  and the colon needs them to maintain all the processes present in the colon: 

We literally could not stay alive if it wasn't for the bacteria in our digestive systems, where battles are fought, helpful substances are manufactured, and the immune system is bolstered: 

·         Vitamins are constructed (particularly Vitamin K and some B vitamins)

·         More minerals are absorbed into the bloodstream

·         Friendly bacteria crowd out the ones that cause disease, such as Salmonella

·         Friendly bacteria lower the levels of some toxins, such as ammonia

·         Special fats, called short-chain fatty acids, are manufactured, most of which are absorbed into the bloodstream, but some are used to feed the cells of the colon.

·         The health of colon cells, which turn over rapidly, is for the most part dependent upon the bacteria of "Colon World", which in turn is dependent upon the food we give these bacteria.

Besides reducing the glycemic effect of meals and contributing to colon health, there is evidence that fiber may benefit us in other ways. It seems to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and also may help to prevent:

·         Ulcers, particularly in the beginning of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers)

·         Diabetes

·         Heart Disease

·         Cancer

  

Sources of soluble fiber: oatmeal, lentils, apples, oranges, pears, oat bran, strawberries, nuts, flax seeds, beans, dried peas, blueberries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots.

 INSOLUBLE FIBERS 

They are considered gut-healthy fiber because they have a laxative effect and add bulk to the diet, helping prevent constipation.

These fibers do not dissolve in water, so they pass through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact, and speed up the passage of food and waste through your gut.

Not only does it provide bulk in the stool, its tendency to "speed things along" means that the fermentation will take place all along the length of the colon, including the near the end, where the majority of colon cancer occurs.

Without insoluble fiber, most of the fermentation would take place in the top part of the colon, so the colon cells there would get most of the benefit.

Insoluble fibers are mainly found in whole grains and vegetables.

·         Sources of insoluble fiber are seeds, nuts, barley, couscous, brown rice, zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, raisins, grapes, fruit, and root vegetable skins.

(People with IBS should avoid eating too much foods with a lot of INSOLUBLE fiber and should eat foods that are naturally high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, rice, potatoes and oat bran)

Soluble Fiber and Insoluble Fiber Foods List with Fiber Grams (g)

Fresh & Dried Fruits	Serving  Size	Soluble Fiber (g)	Insoluble  Fiber (g)	Total Fiber (g)
Apple, with skin	1 medium	4.2	1.5	5.7
Apricots, dried	4 medium	1.8	1.7	3.5
Banana	1 medium	2.1	.07	2.8
Blackberries	1/2 cup	3.1	.07	3.8
Blueberries	1 cup	1.7	2.5	4.2
Figs, dried	3 medium	3.0	2.3	5.3
Grapefruit	1/2 fruit	2.4	0.7	3.1
Kiwi fruit	1 large	2.4	0.8	3.2
Orange	1 medium	2.1	1.3	3.4
Pear	1 medium	0.8	3.2	4.0
Plums	2 medium	1.2	1.0	2.2
Prunes, dried	4 medium	1.3	1.8	3.1
Raspberries	1/2 cup	0.9	2.3	3.2
Strawberries	1 cup	1.8	2.6	4.4

Nuts, Seeds & Beans	Serving  Size	Soluble Fiber (g)	Insoluble  Fiber (g)	Total  Fiber(g)
Almonds, raw	1 ounce	0.7	3.5	4.2
Black beans, cooked	1/2 cup	3.8	3.1	6.9
Black-eyed peas, cooked	1/2 cup	2.2	1.9	4.1
Flaxseeds	2 tbsp.	2.7	2.1	4.8
Kidney beans, cooked	1/2 cup	2.9	2.9	5.8
Lentils, cooked	1/2 cup	2.8	3.8	6.6
Peanuts, dry roasted	1 ounce	1.1	1.2	2.3
Pinto beans, cooked	1/2 cup	5.5	1.9	7.4
Sesame seeds	1/4 cup	0.7	2.6	3.3
Split peas, cooked	1/2 cup	1.1	2.4	3.4
Sunflower seeds	1/4 cup	1.1	1.9	3.0
White beans, cooked	1/2 cup	3.8	0.4	4.2

Vegetables	Serving  Size	Soluble Fiber (g)	Insoluble  Fiber (g)	Total Fiber (g)
Artichoke, cooked	1 medium	4.7	1.8	6.5
Asparagus, cooked	1/2 cup	1.7	1.1	2.8
Broccoli, raw	1/2 cup	1.3	1.4	2.7
Brussels sprouts, cooked	1 cup	1.7	1.9	3.6
Carrot, raw	1 medium	1.1	1.5	2.6
Green peas, cooked	1/2 cup	3.2	1.2	4.4
Green Beans, cooked	1/2 cup	0.8	1.2	2.0
Kale, cooked	1 cup	2.1	5.1	7.2
Lima beans, cooked	1/2 cup	2.1	2.2	4.3
Potato with skin	1 medium	2.4	2.4	4.8
Soybeans (edamame)	1/2 cup	2.7	2.2	4.9
Squash, summer, cooked	1/2 cup	1.3	1.2	2.5
Squash, winter, cooked	1/2 cup	1.7	1.4	3.1
Sweet potato, peeled	1 medium	2.7	2.2	4.9
Tomato with skin	1 medium	0.3	1.0	1.3
Zucchini, cooked	1/2 cup	1.4	1.2	2.6

Whole Grains	Serving  Size	Soluble  Fiber (g)	Insoluble  Fiber (g)	Total  Fiber (g)
Brown rice, cooked	1/2 cup	1.3	0.1	1.4
Oat bran, cooked	3/4 cup	2.2	1.8	4.0
Oatmeal, dry	1/3 cup	1.4	1.3	2.7
Oatmeal, cooked	1 cup	2.4	1.6	4.0
Popcorn, air popped	3 cups	3.2	0.4	3.6
Quinoa (seeds), dry	1/4 cup	2.5	3.8	6.3
Quinoa, cooked	1/2 cup	1.7	2.5	4.2
Rye bread	1 slice	1.9	0.8	2.7
Wheat bran	1/2 cup	11.3	1.0	12.3
Wheat germ	3 tbsp.	3.2	0.7	3.9