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HCG Drops for Weight Loss: Everything You Need to Know

The worldwide demand for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is growing! Over the next five years, the market is expected to reach $560 million by 2023. As of 2017, the market reached $390 million.

hCG is available in many forms, including sprays and oral drops.

Though usually used for pregnancies, the growing demand is likely due to the use of hCG for weight loss. So what exactly is hCG, and do hCG drops for weight loss actually work?

Keep reading to find out!

What is HCG?

Also called “the pregnancy hormone,” hCG is a natural hormone that plays an important role in pregnancies and fertility. In fact, pregnancy tests check for hCG in a woman’s blood or urine to determine if she’s pregnant.

This protein-based hormone also helps the body produce other important hormones, like progesterone and estrogen. Both of these hormones are essential as the embryo and fetus develop. After the first three months of a woman’s pregnancy, hCG levels in the blood will decrease.

hCG is also FDA-approved to treat specific medical conditions in men and women.

For example, hCG can combat the symptoms of hypogonadism in men, including infertility or low testosterone levels. Taking hCG can help men produce more testosterone and increase their sperm production. As a result, hCG injections can reduce the chances of infertility.

Too much HCG in the bloodstream is considered a symptom of cancer, including:

• Placental
• Ovarian
• Testicular

Today, HCG products such as this HCG sublingual are available in oral drops, pellets, and sprays. 

HCG for Weight Loss

hCG is used for weight loss purposes as well. So how does a hormone the body naturally makes during pregnancies help with weight loss? It’s all about your metabolism.

In fact, many products are available as over-the-counter homeopathic hCG products to improve weight loss efforts.

However, there are no FDA-approved hCG products that contain hCG. Rather, products such as hCG drops for weight loss are used to support the hCG diet. Using hCG is legal as long as a health care provider creates the prescription.

According to this study, using low-dose injections of hCG isn’t an effective treatment for obesity. Instead, it’s the diet itself that supports weight loss efforts. The drastic calorie restriction helped participants lose weight, rather than the hCG.

The HCG Diet

The hCG diet involves two components. First is an ultra-low-calorie diet. Participants consume about 400 to 500 calories a day. 

The second component of the hCG diet plan is the HCG hormone, which is usually administered by injections. 

People who participate in the hCG diet claim it boosts the metabolism. When your metabolism runs faster, your body will lose large amounts of fat faster as well. People who take hCG drops for weight loss also insist they don’t feel hungry by taking hCG.

However, many studies insist the hCG diet isn’t an effective option. There’s also no FDA support for using hCG drops for weight loss. 

People who follow the hCG diet will only lose weight in the short term. 

Foods

People who participate in the hCG diet don’t eat much. The diet restricts meals to two hours a day: lunch and dinner. During each meal, you’re permitted one protein, one vegetable, one bread, and one fruit. 

Possible proteins include:

• Chicken breast
• Beef
• Veal
• Fresh white fish
• Crab
• Lobster fish

It’s important not to eat proteins that show visible fat. These include:

• Tuna
• Salmon
• Eel
• Herring
• Dried or pickled fish

It’s suggested you broil or grill your protein, rather than frying. Butters and oils aren’t allowed on the hCG diet plan.

You can also eat from an array of vegetables, including:

• Cabbage
• Celery
• Tomato
• Green salad
• Beet greens
• Chicory
• Chard
• Spinach
• Onion
• Fennel
• Cucumber
• Asparagus
• Red radishes

For bread, you’re allowed one breadstick or a piece of melba toast. For fruit, choose from strawberries, grapefruit, an apple, or an orange.

While participating on the hCG diet, you can have as much tea, coffee, or water as you want. You can use sugar substitutes, such as stevia, to sweeten your drinks. You can also have 1 tablespoon of milk daily.

It’s important to have a doctor’s supervision if you’re following the hCG diet. Otherwise, you might lack certain nutrients in your daily diet.

Side Effects

Men who use hCG for fertility purposes may experience a few side effects, including:

• Pain, redness, swelling
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Growing male breasts
• Blood clots
• Allergic reactions (mild skin rashes, severe anaphylactic reactions)

Men and women on the hCG diet might experience a list of side effects as well. Diets that have severe calorie limitations can cause:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Gallstone formation
• Limited intake of vitamins and minerals
• An imbalance of electrolytes

Side effects of the hCG diet include:

• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Fluid build-up
• Restlessness
• Depression

Taking hCG weight-loss products can also increase your risk of cancer. In fact, hCG might encourage the body to produce androgen cells. These cells result in the growth of certain types of cancers.

If blood vessels form, it could cause blocked blood vessels, which is a condition known as thromboembolism. 

Instead of using hCG drops for weight loss on your own, consider speaking with your doctor. There are healthier, safer ways you can lose weight. Let them know your health concerns.

Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you plan for a balanced diet. It’s also to keep your body active by scheduling regular exercise each day.

By making a plan with a medical professional’s help, you can lose weight without experiencing any of these life-threatening side effects. 

HCG Drops for Weight Loss: Your Complete Guide

Before taking hCG drops for weight loss purposes, make sure to speak with your doctor first. Remember, over-the-counter products that contain hCG are often labeled “homeopathic.” It’s often more beneficial to follow a well-balanced diet and fitness plan instead. 

Searching for other ways to improve your health? Discover tips, tricks, and helpful guides on our blog. Explore the Health section for our latest posts today.

CBD for Weight Loss: Can it Really Help You Shed Pounds?

CBD. The three-letter acronym for a market that made between $600 million and $2 billion in sales back in 2018.

What’s more, experts say its sales could reach a whopping $20 billion come 2024!

For starters, because cannabidiol comes with scientifically-proven health benefits. PubMed alone has over 20,000 studies with references to cannabis and cannabinoids. CBD is a cannabinoid that, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), doesn’t make you high.

Then, there’s also CBD for weight loss. Recent studies have found that this cannabinoid may have the power to help users shed pounds.

That’s sure to make CBD consumption skyrocket even more!

The question is, how exactly can this natural substance aid in weight loss? Are there are any studies that prove these claims?

All these, you’ll uncover in this post, so keep reading to learn the truth about CBD and weight loss!

CBD for Weight Loss: How Can It Be Possible?

CBD may promote weight loss due to its effects on the body’s endocannabinoid (CB) receptors.

To understand these effects, let’s first talk about the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is an “internal messaging center” present in all mammals. It regulates various biological and physiological processes, such as sleep and pain. It also has roles in the immune system, and yes, the appetite.

So, how does it work?

Endocannabinoids, which you can think of as signals, bind to the CB receptors. This triggers the receptors to send the signal to the ECS, prompting it to take action. This action the ECS needs to take depends on which receptor the cannabinoid attached to.

At the moment, there are two known CB receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are most dominant in the brain and the central nervous system. Most CB2 receptors are in the peripheral nervous system, particularly the immune cells.

Obesity, however, can result in the CB1 receptors spreading out, such as into the fatty tissues. It’s because of this that the activation of CB1 receptors appears to have a link to obesity.

In fact, one study found a link between overeating and the ECS’ signaling activity in the gut. The study involved placing a rodent model on a chronic high-fat and high-sugar diet.

The diet caused a spike in the levels of endocannabinoids in both the blood and the gut. The scientists also noted how the diet promoted even more consumption of fatty foods.

The researchers then blocked the endocannabinoids from reaching the receptors. Doing this led to a decrease in the animal’s overeating activities.

Where CBD Comes Into Play

Granted, CBD doesn’t have a direct effect on the cannabinoid receptors. It does, however, influence the endocannabinoids to either activate or restrict the receptors. It’s in this way that CBD may help prevent overeating, obesity, and weight loss.

Appetite Reduction

One way that CBD may help aid weight loss is through appetite reduction.

Now, you may have heard of cannabis (which is one of the main sources of CBD) causing increased appetite. Known as the “munchies”, this often occurs due to cannabis’ THC content. THC is the psychoactive compound that pot is so well-known for.

Don’t worry though, as CBD doesn’t ignite hunger. This is especially true in the case of hemp oil vs CBD oil sourced from cannabis. CBD hemp oil contains less than 0.3% of THC.

If THC directly stimulates the appetite, CBD may have an indirect “deterring” effect on it. It can do so by influencing CB1 receptor antagonists to block off CB1 receptors. CBD may “encourage” these antagonists to take action and deactivate the CB1 receptors.

Blocking these receptors may then result in curbing a person’s appetite. This may also help suppress overeating tendencies in some people.

Another rat study also found that exposing the animals to CBD curbed their appetite.

From White Fat Cells to “Healthier” Brown Fat Cells

Body fat can either be of the white or the brown kind. White fat is more abundant though, as it acts as a storage for and source of energy. Moreover, it insulates, cushions, and protects the organs.

This white fat, however, is also linked to various chronic illnesses. These include heart disease and diabetes. Too much white fat build-up in the body can raise a person’s risk for these health problems.

Whereas brown fat is the type that generates heat. It does so by burning the calories you get from your daily meals. That may explain why brown fat is more dominant in people within a healthy weight range.

As such, you’d want more brown fat than white fat in your body. The good news is, regular exercise can convert white fat into brown fat. Developing healthy sleeping habits can also aid in this conversion process.

And according to research, adding the use of CBD to these healthy habits can make it even more effective.

One study found that CBD caused white fat to “brown” up. This effect may then result in the burning of more calories in the body. You may burn even more calories than usual when you exercise.

The study also noted how CBD reduced protein expression in new fat cell creation. Protein expression is the process of synthesizing, modifying, and regulating proteins. Since CBD reduces this in new fat cells, then the cells may take a longer time to form in the first place.

It May Help Control Overeating in People with Psychological Conditions

Did you know that one of the advantages of CBD over antidepressants is that it can take effect on the same day? Whereas commercial antidepressants can take anywhere from two to four weeks.

A 2018 study found that one dose of CBD is all it took to eliminate depression symptoms in rats. The researchers also found that these effects of CBD lasted for seven days.

That alone already shows how promising CBD is. But what does that have to do with weight-related issues?

Keep in mind that anxiety and depression disorders often co-occur with eating disorders. It’s common for someone who has anxiety or depression to overeat. In fact, a study found that four in 10 people with an eating disorder developed an anxiety disorder first.

Since CBD may help ease symptoms of depression, then it may also help prevent overeating. The same goes true for people with anxiety, who’s coping mechanism may be to overeat.

A Friendly Reminder before Using CBD

If you’re going to try CBD for weight loss, be sure to check where it came from. There are differences between cannabis-derived CBD vs hemp oil. CBD that comes from cannabis may contain higher-than-trace levels of THC.

Whereas hemp seed oil comes from pressed hemp seeds. This oil doesn’t contain THC, but it also only contains little CBD. It does boast of high levels of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and antioxidants though.

You can also learn how to make CBD oil at home, so long as you live in one of the 10 states where recreational weed is legal. If your weight is a medical concern, then you may be able to get a medical marijuana card. Or, you can simply buy high-quality, lab-tested CBD oil or hemp oil.

CBD May Just Help You Achieve Your Weight Goals

There you have it, the ultimate guide on how CBD for weight loss works. And while it’s definitely not a miracle cure, it is too beneficial to pass up.

Not only may it help you shed pounds — it may also improve your sleep or even reduce anxiety or depression symptoms! Both of these, in turn, can be a key player to weight loss.

Ready for more life pro tips to get your health in check? Then be sure to keep following our site’s Health section!

Emergency Weight Loss Surgery Options: What Are They And Which Is Best For You?

Millions of adults — 63 percent of the population — throughout the UK are overweight or obese. 

Every year, 29 million of these people try to lose weight, but the majority of them are unsuccessful.

Does these stats resonate with you? Do you feel that you’ve tried everything to lose weight, to no avail? 

If you’re having a hard time losing weight, you may want to consider weight loss surgery to give you a jumpstart toward reaching your goals.

Read on to learn more about some of the best and most effective weight loss surgery options.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

There are many reasons why you might want to consider weight loss surgery, including the following:

• Lose weight quickly
• Increase lifespan
• Improve symptoms of or achieve remission from chronic diseases like diabetes
• Improve cardiovascular health
• Relieve feelings of depression and improve overall mental health
• Improve your quality of life
• Improve sleep quality and reduce sleep apnea symptoms
• Improve fertility

Weight loss surgery can also be very helpful to those who suffer from arthritis or chronic joint pain. Losing weight helps to minimize pressure placed on the joints.

Best Weight Loss Surgery Options

If any of these benefits sound appealing to you, you might be seriously considering weight loss surgery. Which type of surgery should you choose, though? 

Listed below are some of the most well-known and most effective weight loss surgery options you might want to consider:

Sleeve Gastrectomy

A sleeve gastrectomy procedure involves separating and removing a portion of the stomach from the body. A surgeon then restructures the remaining portion of the stomach to form a tubelike structure.

Essentially, this procedure shrinks the stomach. As a result, the stomach cannot hold as much food. It also will produce smaller amounts of ghrelin, a hormone that triggers feelings of hunger.

The good thing about the sleeve gastrectomy procedure is that it doesn’t impact that body’s ability to absorb nutrients and calories.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass is a popular weight loss surgeon option that involves the creation of a small pouch at the top of your stomach. 

In addition to creating a pouch at the top of the stomach, a surgeon also cuts the small intestine and connects it to the pouch. Food then flows directly to the intestine from the pouch. 

Like the sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure shrinks the stomach and limits the amount of food you can consume at one time. 

This surgery doesn’t hinder the stomach’s ability to create digestive juices. As a result, the body can still digest food properly and there is less of a risk of digestive distress (as there is with some types of weight loss surgery).

Biliopancreatic Diversion

This surgery is similar to the sleeve gastrectomy procedure.

It starts with a surgeon removing part of the stomach and leaving behind the valve that releases food into the small intestine. The surgeon leaves behind the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) as well.

Once they’ve removed part of the stomach, the surgeon closes off the middle portion of the intestine and attach the duodenum and last part of the intestine together.

Instead of removing the separated middle portion of the intestine, the surgeon reattaches it so that it becomes the end of the intestine. This lets bile and pancreatic juices — which are necessary for digestion — flow directly to the end of the intestine.

The result of this procedure is that, when food is consumed, it will bypass the majority of the small intestine. This limits calorie absorption and promotes more weight loss than shrinking the stomach alone.

Vagal Blockade

A vagal blockade is similar to a pacemaker. It’s a small device that is implanted under the rib cage and is operated by remote control. The device sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve.

Stimulating the vagus nerve sends a signal to the brain that the stomach is full. This, in turn, helps you to control your appetite and avoid overeating. 

This is a minimally invasive procedure and it’s a great option for individuals who are nervous about undergoing a more serious surgical procedure.

AspireAssist

The AspireAssist is another minimally invasive procedure that involves device implantation.

AspireAssist is a tube that is implanted in the body and sits flush against the abdomen.

Once you’ve eaten, you attach to the tube to an external draining device. The device removes food matter and deposits in the toilet, where it can be flushed away.

With the use of the AspireAssist device, you only consume about 70 percent of the calories you consume.

Because the AspireAssist device limits calorie and nutrient absorption, nutritional and protein supplementation are necessary for most people.

Gastric Balloon

The gastric balloon is not technically a surgical procedure, but it’s still one you might want to consider is you have excess weight to lose.

According to Next Level Weight-Loss, it’s minimally invasive and doesn’t come with the same amount of downtime as some other weight loss procedures. It does, however, yield similar results. 

With this procedure, a special balloon is placed in the stomach via the mouth. Once the balloon has been placed, it is filled with a saline solution. This leads to a sense of fullness and minimizes hunger and the likelihood that you will overeat. 

The gastric balloon is a temporary procedure. It stays in place for six months and then gets removed.

Many people see great results from this procedure. In six months, they can lose approximately 10 percent of their excess body weight.

Lose the Weight and Keep it Off

As you can see, there are plenty of weight loss surgery options that will help you get started on your weight loss journey.

In order to keep the weight that you lost off long-term, though, you’ll need to make some permanent changes to your lifestyle. This includes eating a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis.

If you need help making these kinds of lifestyle changes, contact us at Lep Fitness today to learn more about our personal training packages.

We’ll give you the tools you need to make permanent, positive changes.

How to Lose Weight (Without Going on a Diet!)

Did you know losing weight is the #1 new year’s resolution for 2017?

Yes, 21.4 percent of Americans can’t help but resolve to shed some pounds gained over the festive season.

But, losing weight the healthy way is easier said than done. A simple how to lose weight search on Google pulls up several methods to cut those pounds, including going on a diet.

Truth be told, dieting sucks. And, it really isn’t the best way to get weight off. Today, we’re revealing tips on how to lose weight without going on a diet.

Let’s dig in!

Eat Less

If you want to lose weight without staying away from your favorite meals, you’ve got to eat less. This prevents you from taking in more calories than your body can burn.

So, how do you eat less?

Use smaller plates for your meals. It’s hard to serve small portions on large plates because we naturally love our plates full.

Drinking one or two glasses of water before eating also helps. This tricks your tummy into feeling full.

You can also try eating using your non-dominant hand. If you’re left-handed, for instance, use your right hand. This way, you will eat more slowly and remain mindful of your meal.

Slow eating can help you feel fuller faster. The faster you feel full, the higher your chances of kicking that plate away (with some food on it).

How About Eating with a Partner?

Our partners can influence our eating habits.

But, the biggest beneficiaries of this weight loss hack are ladies.

Well, if you’re a lady, you want to cut the image of a delicate and soft person, especially when you’re in the company of men. Can we agree smashing a plateful of food in their presence isn’t good for your image? Right, you get it!

In a 2013 study, the Journal of Applied Social Psychology established that college women purchased fewer calories when in the company of male students!

So, if you’re a lady, eating with men more often can help you lose weight without dieting.

Dinners Out? Stay Away

An average restaurant meal contains about 1200 calories. Worse, 92 percent of restaurant meals are high-calorie meals.

This is bad news, especially when you’re trying to decrease your calorie intake in order to lose weight.

Perhaps you are thinking, “Well, I can go for a dinner out and have a small bite!”

Let’s be honest: Nobody goes out for dinner to have a small bite, particularly if you’re out with friends.

Can you afford sitting there as they sample chunks of exotic steak? My guess is you will start with a bite and before you know it, you’ve taken a whole plate.

However, you can still have occasional dinners out. Just be disciplined, and be sure to go out with people who’re also committed to losing weight.

Combine Your Diet Efforts with Physical Activity

To get the best out of your new dieting style, combine it with some physical activity.

No, you don’t have to hit the gym like a fitness maniac.

Start simple. Jog or bike around the neighborhood, walk to the park, join a dance class or go swimming.

In Conclusion…

Going on diet is challenging and it has its disadvantages.

If implemented incorrectly, it can cause a decrease in body metabolism, extreme hunger, loss of macronutrients and dehydration.

You don’t have to risk all that. With these weight loss secrets, you can shed those pounds without sticking to a diet plan.

What’s your take on losing weight without going on diet? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

3 Delicious Weight Loss Shakes You Have to Try

Are you keeping up with your new year’s resolutions? How about your weight loss goals?

Foods that help with weight loss used to be so boring. Salads, salads, and more salads… enough with the lettuce, I say! It’s tough to meet your goals when you get bored.

To lose weight successfully you need to mix up your routine now and then.

Smoothies and shakes are a delicious and nutritious alternative to the boring healthy staples. And they’re taking the weight loss industry by storm.

Weight loss shakes are the perfect way to a change up your oatmeal breakfast, lunch salad, or a healthy snack.

They’re packed with fruit, veggies, and vitamins and they’re quick and easy to make.

They even taste good enough to give to your kids. Seriously, kids love these shakes!

Getting your family in on your weight loss goals is a great way to keep up good momentum.

Ready to tackle your weight loss goals the yummy way? Read on for 3 awesome and delicious recipes.

3 Must Try Weight Loss Shakes

Mango Surprise!

Are you a mango lover? This is the perfect summer refresher or even the slice of sunshine you need on a gloomy day.

Blend these ingredients until smooth, pour yourself a glass, garnish if desired, and enjoy!

• 1/4 c. mango cubes
• 1/4 c. mashed ripe avocado
• 1/2 c. mango juice
• 1/4 c. fat-free vanilla yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 6 ice cubes

Surprise! It’s delicious.

Spinach Flax Protein Shake

This recipe from The Blonde Buckeye is the best way to get a healthy dose of veggies in your day.

Tired of spinach salads? This is the best alternative.

And with a little added fruit and protein powder, this recipe is perfect if you’re just not the spinach type.

Don’t forget, spinach is high in fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, and much more. It’s a weight loss essential.

• 1 c. unsweetened almond milk (or any kind)
• 1 large handful organic baby spinach, washed
• 1/4 c. frozen mango chunks
• 1/4 c. frozen pineapple
• 1/2 of a banana, fresh or frozen
• 1 Tbsp. flax meal (optional)
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds (optional)
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (optional)

Combine these ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie

Looking for the perfect healthy dessert option? Order up! This will knock your socks off.

I always say: if you’re gonna have dessert you might as well fill it with fiber.

Raspberry is an excellent weight loss tool. They’re low in calories and packed with healthy fiber, making you feel fuller longer.

And the chocolate is just amazing.

You can’t go wrong with this smoothie.

• 1/2 c. skim or soy milk
• 6 oz. vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 c. chocolate chips
• 1 c. fresh raspberries
• A handful of ice or an extra 1 c. frozen raspberries

Blend until smooth and enjoy your high-fiber chocolaty dessert!

Wight loss can be hard but it can still be delicious! Use these weight loss shakes to treat yourself once in a while and help keep yourself on track for your goals.

Enjoy!