HCG Diet Popular in Marin?

Every one Marin County included is always looking for that quick fix…especially when it comes to weight loss, but is taking in 500 calories a day a good practice?  Last time I checked… anorexics took that approach.  The New York Times published an article on March 7th of this year http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/nyregion/08hcg.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 telling the story of hcg.  The popular hormone is only available through a prescription by your doctor.  Interestingly, hcg is the drug Manny Ramirez, the baseball star, was suspended for in 2009 by Major League Baseball.  Did you know that hcg is derived from the urine of pregnant women?  That should make it cheap, but doctors typically charge $800 to $1200 which includes: consultation, examination, injection training (sounds like fun, huh?), & a month’s supply of hormone and syringes.  Does it work you may ask?  Depends who you talk to…some doctors say yes (imagine that… they’re benefitting financially) and some say it’s merely a placebo effect that helps primarily women lose weight in the arms, belly, & thighs.  Hey…how about the side effects?  Well, cardiovasular risks including blood clots, depression, headaches, and breast tenderness or enlargement (too bad Manny!).  Even the FDA shied away from it’s use.  My recommendation…check the article out and remember the easiest way is usually NOT the best way.  If your after health…you have to work for it…it doesn’t come by a pill or needles.

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