A controversial usage of HCG is as an adjunct to the British endocrinologist A.T.W. Simeons’ ultra-low-calorie weight-loss diet (less than 500 calories). Simeons, while studying pregnant women in India on a calorie-deficient diet, and “fat boys” with pituitary problems (Frölich’s syndrome) treated with low-dose hCG, claimed that both lost fat rather than lean (muscle) tissue. He reasoned that HCG must be programming the hypothalamus to do this in the former cases in order to protect the developing fetus by promoting mobilization and consumption of abnormal, excessive adipose deposits. Simeons, practicing at Salvator Mundi International Hospital in Rome, Italy, recommended low-dose daily hCG injections (125 IU) in combination with a customized ultra-low-calorie (500 cal/day, high-protein, low-carbohydrate/fat) diet loss of adipose tissue without loss of lean tissue. After Simeons’death, the diet started to spread to specialized centers and via popularization by individuals, such as the controversial author Kevin Trudeau, famous for promotion of alternative therapies and treatments.
The controversy proceeds from warnings by the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that HCG is neither safe, nor effective as a weight-loss aid.
A meta analysis found that studies supporting hCG for weight loss were of poor methodological quality and concluded that “there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity; it does not bring about weight-loss or fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being”.
Controversy about and shortages of injected HCG for weight loss have led to substantial internet promotion of “homeopathic hCG” for weight control. The ingredients in these products are often obscure, but if prepared from true HCG via homeopathic dilution, they contain either no HCG at all or only trace amounts. Proponents of homeopathic HCG claim the solution bears the “energetic imprint” of HCG. There is no scientific evidence that this “energetic imprint” exists or that homeopathic HCG has any effect. According to Dr Dennis Clark at Diets In Review, “Homeopathic HCG does not fit the classical criteria for a homeopathic treatment. Published results are all based on testimonials. No scientific research has been published on homeopathic HCG in any of the homeopathic or mainstream medical research journals.”
On January 24, 2011 the FDA deemed this drug fraudulent and ineffective for weight loss. It is also not protected as a homeopathic drug and has been deemed an illegal substance.http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/49921/
Performance Enhancement
HCG is increasingly used in combination with various anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) cycles. As a result, HCG is included in some sports’ illegal drug lists. When exogenous AAS are put into the male body, natural negative-feedback loops cause the body to shut down its own production of testosterone via shutdown of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA). This causes testicular atrophy, among other things. HCG is commonly used during and after steroid cycles to maintain and restore testicular size as well as normal testosterone production. If HCG is used for too long and in too high a dose, the resulting rise in natural testosterone will eventually inhibit its own production via negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Professional athletes who have been caught using hCG have been temporarily banned from their sport, including a 50-game ban from MLB for Manny Ramirez in 2009 and a 4-game ban from the NFL for Brian Cushing for a positive urine test for hCG.
How do I get flat abs?
This is a very good question which I have been asked multiple times. I remember hearing about how Herschel Walker, former NFL player, would do 1,000 crunches a day. Not only is that not necessary but it doesn’t help flatten out abs for the majority of people. Each person is starting from a different point when it comes to getting flat abs and can be broken into 3 groups. Here’s how you can determine where you are starting from and decipher the proper plan for you.
Group A-When you measure your chest, waist (belly button line), and hips your waist is bigger than your chest measurement. This group should not be doing repeated ab exercises on the floor, stability ball or standing. If you do, you will only be adding muscle on top of your abdominal wall and will increase how far out your stomach extends. This group should concentrate on cleaning up your nutritional plan, cardio and strength training programs.
Group B-When you measure your chest, waist (belly button line), and hips your waist is even with your chest. This group should be doing ab exercises that involve isometeric movement on the floor, stability ball and standing. Isometeric movement requires you to hold your position in place for lenghts of time. Exercises include knee planks, knee thrust from knee plank position, stability ball planks, obligue twist holds(floor or stability ball) and sit-up hold.
Group C-When you measure your chest, waist (belly button line), and hips your waist is distinctively less than your chest. This group should be doing ab exercises that involve isometeric, cocentric and eccentric movement on the floor, stability ball or standing. Exercises include medicine ball side toss, planks (knee planks if low back is weak), scissors, flutters, negative sit-ups and various hanging ab exercises.
Time is an important factor when it comes to ab exercises and will vary per person. It can be from 3 miniutes total to 60 miniutes total. This can be determined by doing exercises that you can preform correctly and timing to see how long you can maintain it correctly.
Depending on your workout will also determine wheter you do abs at the beginning, middle, end or completely seperate from other workouts. This one can be determined by the speed of the workout, how well you can maintain proper technique and how much time is being alloted for the workout.
If you’re not where you want to be, gage yourself properly and get to the next group. Your vision can become reality. Please note that which ever group you’re starting from you need to implement the proper nutrition program for you to succeed.
How do I lose weight for life?
This question has been answered over and over and over again. One person says the key is doing tons of cardio. Another says don’t eat carbohydrates for the rest of your life. You even have ones that say the secret is in shots and pills and to do nothing. I can see why so many people are unsure of what they should listen to and follow.
The answer is not as hard as we make it. It starts with “THE PLAN.” If you’re not willing to take 30 mins out of your schedule for one day than stop reading. If you have decided to keep reading get a pen and paper. Do not print this out. A major part of this is writing it out so that you will make a verbal commitment with yourself.
Step One: Take a piece of 8.5×11 paper and make 4 horizontal lines. Try to make it even, it doesn’t need to be perfect. Next make 5 vertical lines and try to make that even. That doesn’t need to be perfect either. Write Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the top row. Next look at a calendar with the current date. For example, today is August 31, 2010 and its Tuesday. You would go to the first box marked Tuesday and write 31 in the box underneath it at the top, which should be row 2 on your sheet. You would continue to fill the remaining boxes till you get back to the box next to the first box you wrote in and that would say 27 for September based off the example.
Step Two: Write a star for the first day because you earned it. You accomplished the hardest part which was laying out a 24 day workout plan.
Step Three: Pick 3 days and the time that you’re going to do weight lifting workouts for the week and it is best if you leave a day in between. You need to allow for a minimum of 30 mins and a maximum of 75 mins.
Step Four: The other 3 days of the week have now been dedicated to cardio and you just now need to schedule the time. This will be a minimum of 20 mins and a max of 30 mins.
Step Five: Sunday is not an option for working out. You need at least one rest day and this day seems to be the most convenient for most people. If it’s not you need to pick another day, but it needs to be consistent and than fix you’re sheet that it doesn’t show your day off.
Step Six: Day One weight workouts will consist of upper-body(chest, back, bicep, tricep, shoulder), Day Two lower-body(quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, glutes, abductors) and Day Three Total Body(Calves and Triceps, Chest and Back, Hamstrings and Biceps, Quadriceps and Shoulders). You will do the reverse order for week 2 and 4 and repeat the original order on week 3.
Step Seven: Day One-Three cardio workouts will consist of a 2 min warm-up. Afterwards you have 18-28 mins left. If you have a heart-rate monitor, use it. If not don’t go buy one unless you have a heart condition or plan on getting maximum usage out of a heart rate monitor.
Step Eight: Write down your weights and repetitions for weight lifting. Write down your times and distances for cardio. If you have a heart-rate monitor write down max heart rate and average.
Step Nine: This is the easiest step to follow because we are creatures of habits. To lose weight you need to monitor what you put in your mouth. Fats are not the problem. Protein is not the problem. It’s SUGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sugar is the secret weight gainer. It’s in candy, chips, cookies, soda, cake, pie, ice cream, fast food, fried foods, energy drinks, lemonade, sports drinks, alcohol, bread, cereal, and fruit. Here is the magic recipe for weight loss success in nutrition. If your moving, you need to eat 5-6 times a day. Making sure your intake is every 2 to 3 hours a day. Drink water. I do not care if you do not like water. Your body needs it and that’s what helps you lose weight. If you’re getting less than 96 ounces (3 Smart Water Bottles, 6 Regular 16.9oz water bottles or 8-12 oz water bottles) you’re not going to lose weight for life. Open your eyes and read labels. Do not consume foods for main meals that have more than 9 grams of sugar. Recognize when your full. When you take a deep breath of air you’re full so stop eating and box it up or throw it away, your choice.
Step Ten: You were not born into this world alone. If you were than why haven’t I seen you on the Oprah or US Weekly magazine for this amazing discovery. You need to make a commitment to yourself and tell at least ONE PERSON that you trust to be honest with you when you’re not sticking to your commitment. Give them open reign to tell you one of two phrases. “You’re one of the most amazing people and we’re ecstatic by what your accomplishing.” The other phrase, “You’re the best and I’m glad you trusted me to help you.” Now autograph this paper and put it where you will see it at least 10 times a day. DO NOT SKIP THAT LAST SENTENCE!
How do I foam roll my IT Bands?
The iliotibial (IT) band is a group of muscle fibers that runs along the outside of the thigh, from the hip to the knee. The IT band functions as a stabilizer during cardiovascular exercises and is one of the most common overuse injuries. The pain generally presents itself on the outside of the knee, but hip pain can be a symptom as well.
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