Natural Path - Dr. Robert Madda ND LAc and Dr. Cara Phillipo ND LAc

HCG Diet in Portland Oregon – Learn more here

What is the Glycemic Index?

When it comes to weight loss, the HCG diet, and the issue of maintaining blood sugar balance, it is important to have an understanding of how foods affect you. Glycemic Index is a way of categorizing foods and their effects on the body. Typically after eating a carbohydrate rich meal, or foods containing sugar, the blood sugar levels in the body will rise. Some carbohydrates will cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels while others will cause a less sudden rise in blood sugar levels. Foods that have a very high Glycemic Index are the foods that generally cause a very rapid rise in blood glucose due to how quickly they are metabolized by the body. Foods that are broken down more slowly by the body have a corresponding lower Glycemic Index.

How does the Glycemic Index affect me?

The “Normal” American diet consists heavily of refined carbohydrates and sugars. These foods are extremely detrimental to the body and long term consumption of these foods can cause obesity as well as contribute to the development of illnesses such as Heart Disease and Diabetes. The question is- do you want to have a normal diet or a healthy diet? In general terms, a healthy diet should consist of vegetables, protein, nuts, seeds, fruit, and wholesome grains. Many medical conditions require specific food avoidance strategies, such as the avoidance of Gluten in Celiac disease. However, patients will generally report that simply eliminating carbohydrates and sugar as the main staples of their meals will help them lose weight, decrease blood pressure, sleep better and feel healthier than they have in many years.

What About Vegetables and HCG in Weight Loss?

Since the time of Dr. Simeons, HCG has been used as an adjunct treatment for weight loss. While there continues to be a great deal of controversy surrounding his original and outdated protocol, people across the country are losing weight using his protocol. Originally, Dr. Simeons proposed eating 500 calories each day consisting primarily of protein and vegetables. The list of vegetables included:

Spinach
Chard
Chicory
Beet Greens
Green Salad
Tomatoes
Celery
Fennel
Onions
Red Radishes
Cucumbers
Asparagus
Cabbage

HCG and Glycemic Index – The Old and the New

Now, 60 years after the time of Dr. Simeons, there have been a great deal of advancements in the understanding of human physiology and nutrition. These changes have allowed for much greater successes in using HCG for weight loss, and have reduced the likelihood of complications that can be associated with some of the outdated and unnecessarily extreme protocols suggested by Dr. Simeons. For example, the new list of food items that are often encouraged and suggested, can make the diet more beneficial for the patient nutritionally, decreasing the likelihood of mineral and electrolyte imbalances. With a more evidence based perspective, Glycemic Index must be taken into account when prescribing dietary treatment guidelines for patients. Too, past medical history as well as present health issues must all be thoroughly evaluated to assure patient safety, patient awareness as well as patient success. Many of the possible complications associated with the outdated Simeons protocol can be prevented with a more discerning and clinically sound HCG treatment program.