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Is it really HCG that causes weight loss or is it just that the calories for the diet are so low?

07/24/2011 21:13:00

For those considering the HCG Diet, please review this information from, www.MayoClinic.com

HCG diet:

Is it safe and effective?Does the HCG diet work — and is it safe?Answerfrom Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.Because the HCG diet combines injections or supplements of the HCG hormone along with severe calorie restriction, you may lose weight — at least for the short term. But it's the calorie restriction that causes the weight loss, not the HCG. In addition, the safety of HCG for weight loss is uncertain, and the hormone hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for obesity or weight control.HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy. As a prescription medication, HCG is used mainly to treat fertility issues.Proponents of the HCG diet say that HCG can help you lose weight, burn fat and redistribute fat away from your buttocks and stomach. On the HCG diet, you either receive injections of HCG or take HCG supplements. The HCG diet also requires you to drastically cut your calorie intake, typically consuming just 500 to 800 calories a day — about one-fourth to one-half of the standard calorie recommendations. The HCG diet is typically offered through weight-loss clinics that say they will provide medical supervision.Although researchers have studied the HCG diet for years, no high-quality studies have shown that the hormone itself helps weight loss. Following any very low calorie diet is likely to result in weight loss, regardless of taking HCG. And the HCG diet can have drawbacks. Severe calorie restriction can make it hard to meet all of your nutritional needs. And rapid weight loss can lead to gallstones. Also, HCG can cause side effects, including headache, fatigue, irritability and male breast enlargement. And be careful about buying HCG products on the Internet — they might not be what they say they are.Once you stop the HCG diet, you're likely to regain any weight you lost. The key to permanent weight loss is developing healthy eating and exercise habits — not following fad diets.

BREAST THERMOGRAPHY

06/05/2011 20:20:00

Breast thermography is a simple non-invasive screening that can see changes in breast tissue as early as 8-10 years before other more invasive diagnostic screening tools. It is absolutely safe for the patient. Diagnostic reports are generated by Certified M.D. Thermologists for the patient to keep for their records and if necessary share with their medical doctor for follow up should there be suspicious findings. Each patient has their own thermal fingerprint, so to speak. The first appointment is the first step to creating a baseline. The second appointment, three months later is confirmation of your own thermal print and a baseline is established. Annual thermograms monitor any changes that may occur in breast tissue. These follow-ups allow the patient to take charge of their health by making dietary, supplement, and lifestyle changes that can help the body heal. Thermograms are empowering to patients that want to know what changes are going on in their bodies so they can take control of their health.

Texting and your neck

01/17/2011 21:34:00

Are you doing a lot of texting? Your children are!!! Take a look at their posture. Slouching with their chin on their chest or maybe sitting up(kinda straight) but with their head straight down. That puts a lot of stress on those poor neck and upper back muscles. Depending on what they are doing, maybe even the entire spine, back and neck muscles are overworked. Eventually this can cause pain and misalignment of the bones of the neck and back(subluxations). A little old fashioned, "Sit up straight" comment will help. But maybe, just maybe you can ask your son or daughter if they ever have neck or back pain. Ask if they get headaches. Feel that muscle on the top of their shoulder(give it a little squeeze). If it is tight or it they say, "Ouch" they may have a problem. Suggest to them that besides sitting up straight, if they bring the phone up in front of them that they will be more comfortable and not damage their neck and back. I know, I know, it's sounds too easy. Kids don't listen. Well, they just need more encouragement. Don't nag them, tell them that you care and hate to think about all of the things they won't be able to do when the grow up because they will be in so much pain! Then ... reach over and squeeze that upper trapezius muscle again.

Dr. Goebel