In an earlier post, you learned about hormones and their function. The branch of medicine that is concerned with hormones is called endocrinology and is the basis of Dr. Simeons’ diet.

To review: hormones (of which HCG is one) are specific proteins, the function of which is to carry biochemical messages to cells. These cells then carry out specific functions. Endocrine hormones are excreted into directly into the bloodstream by various glands. These glands receive their orders from the brain via an “interface” known as the hypothalamus.

The Big Kahuna

The hypothalamus excretes its own special type of hormones. These are known as neurohormones.  Among these are gonadotropin-releasing hormones. HCG, as you know stands for human Chorionic Gonadotropin and is at the heart of the HCG program.

Note that the hypothalamus does not, by itself, release gonadotropin. It produces its own neurohormone that in turn stimulates the production of gonadotropin from the pituitary gland, which secretes the hormones that control growth, blood pressure and sexual function, among other bodily functions.

Dr. Simeons came up with the HCG diet as a result of his work with patients suffering from pituitary dysfunction, which had caused them to become morbidly obese. One of the functions of the pituitary gland is to regulate the conversion of food (calories) into energy. The word for this process is (you guessed it) metabolism.

About Gonadotropins

All mammals produce gonadotropins, which are related to sex and reproduction. However, chorionic gonadotropins, such as HCG, are unique to primates such as monkeys, apes and humans.

The chorionic gonadotropin, in primates, is excreted by the placenta, which connects the fetus to the mother’s system. When HCG interacts with a specific receptor in the uterus, it stimulates the production of yet another hormone known as progesterone. This hormone causes the growth of blood vessels and capillaries, which help to provide nourishment to the developing fetus.

HCG serves another function as well. As you may remember from elementary science, atoms may be positively or negatively charged. Organic molecules may contain predominantly positive or negative charges. As it turns out, HCG has a predominantly negative charge. The effect of this is to repel maternal antibodies, which may otherwise react to the presence of the father’s genetic material and attack as if it were some kind of pathogen.

Other Medical Uses of HCG

Because it is a gonadotropin and therefore is involved in reproduction, HCG can be used to stimulate sexual function. This in fact is what FDA has approved HCG for over the past few decades. It has been found to stimulate and promote ovulation in women and sperm production in men. The hormone is extracted from the urine of pregnant women, then purified and made into injections, which are administered in fertility clinics.

Current medical research shows that cancer cells excrete small amounts of HCG. This may be part of the reason that immunotherapy for cancer has been unsuccessful. On the other hand, HCG also plays a role in cell differentiation, the process by which generalized, all-purpose cells become specialized, and it also pays a role in apoptosis, or “cell death.” This has interesting implications for oncology.