The HCG diet plan is based on principles of a branch of medicine known as endocrinology, which Dr. Albert Simeons conducted extensive research in this area over six decades ago. Endocrinology is the study of hormones, their function and the glands that secrete them.
Some of these glands are probably familiar to you. The pituitary and the thyroid, which control growth and metabolism, are probably the best known outside the medical profession. Certain hormones are also probably familiar to you.
For example, if you enjoy parachuting and bungee jumping, you may very well be addicted to the hormone known as adrenaline. This biochemical substance is released by the adrenal gland when we feel as if we are in a life-threatening situation, heightening our perceptions and giving us the “energy rush” we need in order to fight or run.
There are also sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, which (among other things) trigger the development of “secondary sex characteristics” such as a low voice and body and facial hair in boys and breasts and menstruation in girls.
In essence, hormones are biochemical substances that control a range of bodily functions.
HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is one such hormone.
The Functions of HCG
The primary function of HCG is to protect the environment in which a fetus gestates, making certain that the uterus is healthy and that the mother’s system does not inadvertently interfere with the fetus’ early development during the first trimester. Modern pregnancy tests are designed to detect the presence of HCG in a woman’s urine. However is should be noted that homeopathic HCG will not result in a positive reading if placed on a pregnancy test.
In medicine and health care, HCG is used to treat fertility issues in both men and women by stimulating the production of sperm and eggs respectively. Most recently, it has been discovered that cancer cells excrete small amounts of HCG. This hormone is thus a potential marker that can help oncologists to detect the presence of tumors that might otherwise be difficult to diagnose.
What Dr. Simeons Found
During the treatment of patients with pituitary gland dysfunction, which had caused extreme obesity, Dr. Simeons found that by administering injections of small amounts of the HCG hormone, these patients were able to lose weight when put on a low calorie diet. This was something that the low calorie diet alone was unable to achieve.
In later years, Dr. Simeons published his findings in a paper entitled Pounds and Inches – a New Approach to Obesity. That paper is available in .pdf format on our home page.
Tags: Dr. Simeons, endocrinology, HCG, HCG Diet, obesity, pregnancy
