There’s no “magic pill” when it comes to weight loss, but there are a few prescriptions that come mighty close. If you do all the right stuff to lose weight yet seem to hit a wall, then you need help. Readily available, highly effective and safe, some weight loss catalysts can make all the difference in your quest for losing weight.
The old “calories-in-calories-out” mantra is just not true under certain conditions. Fat cells are not just storage containers as they also produce chemicals that cause inflammation, and encouarge resistance to both insulin and the hunger hormone called leptin. This leads to high cortisol, low thyroid, high blood sugar and constant hunger. The end result is weight gain, fatigue and low stamina, and at some point diet and exercise alone won’t turn it around.
Please don’t get me wrong, as “eat less and exercise more” is good advice for most all of us, myself included. But many people still struggle with weight gain even once a realistic diet and exercise program is established. I can attest that losing weight is harder than maintaining an ideal weight, in part due to the chemical, metabolic and hormonal changes that come with being overweight.
Before using weight loss prescriptions, I insist that patients cover the basics of functional medicine first, otherwise they will just gain the weight back. This means insuring a healthy diet, regular exercise and restful sleep, while managing stress. At a minimum consider evaluation for hormone imbalances or deficiencies and improve intestinal health by testing for delayed food allergies, healing “leaky gut” and replenishing the good bacteria in gut.
Depending upon the clinical picture some people should also consider testing for nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal accumulation, chronic infections such as Candida, and even genetic mutations. Problems in any one of these areas can have a negative impact on metabolism and cause weight gain.
The catalysts
The catalysts for weight loss should only be recommended after doing the best you can to cover all of the above areas. There are numerous over-the-counter natural supplements that I recommend for weight loss, but I want to focus on three prescription only treatments that work even better.
First is human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. Used in weight loss programs for about 60 years this hormone is normally made during pregnancy by the placenta. It is thought to work by unlocking access to stubborn fat reserves and when combined with the specific restricted calorie diet extra fat reserves quickly melt away. HCG is primarily given by daily injections or under the tongue tablets.
With HCG we observe most patients lose weight without losing muscle mass, don’t feel hungry all the time, and typically feel really good when on the diet. During a 20 day course patients usually lose 10-20 pounds. I’ve treated over a thousand patients with HCG and with repeat courses many have lost over 100 pounds, and kept it off.
Another weight loss catalyst is Sermorelin, which increases our natural production of human growth hormone, or HGH. This hormone powerhouse helps build muscle and breakdown fat. From it’s peak at about age 25, it slowly declines such that by age 50 most people have low or at least below optimal HGH levels. Fatigue and lack of stamina caused by low HGH only compound the weight gaining effects.
Replacing HGH directly has some serious drawbacks. The injection is expensive and tightly regulated by the FDA for any off-label use. It also causes a high level of HGH that persists in the body for a while, unlike the natural short pulsatile nature of native HGH secretion. This can lead to overdosage as well as tolerance and resistance to the HGH.
Sermorelin is bioidentical hormone that mimics the natural HGH releasing peptide that is made by the brain. It is called a “secretogogue” because is stimulates the natural secretion of a hormone, in this case HGH. The result is a more physiologic increase in HGH that does not allow for overdosing or lead to resistance of HGH. It is also much less expensive than direct HGH replacement and approved for off-label use such as for weight loss.
Sermorelin is given by daily injection, specifically at bedtime to mimic the natural rise of HGH during deep sleep cycles. After a few months the injections are usually reduced to only 3-5x per week for ongoing maintenance. In addition to weight loss, HGH helps build strong muscle and bones, boost the immune system, and restore more youthful skin, while improving energy and stamina.
The last weight loss catalyst to review is a nutrient injection called MIC B12, designed to help burn fat and boost metabolism. The M stands for methionine, an amino acid that helps break down fat, as well as bind heavy metals and support liver detox pathways. Inositol and Choline (I and C) are B-vitamins that also help break down fat and prevent it from being stored.
B12 is referred to as the energy vitamin, as it typically provides an energy boost after an injection and will help to increase the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The MIC B12 injections are usually given every few days for as long as needed.
Making weight loss happen
HCG, Sermorelin and MIC B12 are available only with a physician prescription. Beware of online sources and dispensing from non-medical professionals as these products are likely fraudulent and potentially dangerous. Along the same lines, be sure to work with a medical team that understands how these catalysts work and when to use them.
To learn more about weight loss join me for our free seminar next week. If you are having difficulty losing weight then consider a functional medicine evaluation as the foundation for success, while a weight loss catalyst may be just the boost you need.
Author
Scott Rollins, MD, is Board Certified with the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement for men and women, thyroid and adrenal disorders, fibromyalgia and other complex medical conditions. He is founder and medical director of the Integrative Medicine Center of Western Colorado (www.imcwc.com) and Bellezza Laser Aesthetics (www.bellezzalaser.com). Call (970) 245-6911 for an appointment or more information.
