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Weight loss programs

1. The Opti-lean™ weight loss program relies on a natural substance called hCG. What is hCG?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It controls a woman's metabolic functions and helps direct nourishment to the baby.

This natural hormone forces your body to burn abnormal fat, not lean muscle tissue. Loss of lean body mass is an unfortunate side effect of many low calorie diet plans and is unsafe. Burning fat, not muscle, is critical to long-term weight loss success.

Most participants in the Opti-lean™ program are not hungry in spite of the low calorie diet and report plenty of energy and a generalized feeling of well being while losing weight.

2. How does the Opti-lean™ hCG weight loss program help you lose weight?
By combining the power of low-dose hCG with a specially designed low calorie diet plan, the Opti-lean™ weight loss program makes it easier for your body to burn stored fat. Your body taps into abnormal fat deposits (shoulders, upper arms, stomach, hips, thighs, and buttocks) to provide energy for your daily activities. In obese clients, these deposits are not usually accessible to the body for energy consumption. The body stubbornly clings to these abnormal fat reserves.

The small, daily dose of hCG used in the Opti-lean™ program releases 1,500 to 4,000 calories from fat stores per day into the bloodstream. The body senses this released energy and “feels full” as though it had just eaten those calories new. You can go about your day without feeling hungry and obsessing about the next time you can eat.

You may have read before that a 500 calorie a day diet is too low and eating so little will force the body into starvation mode, making it even harder to burn fat. Without the addition of hCG, this is true. By adding hCG to your daily weight loss regimen, Opti-lean™ completely changes that.

3. How can I take advantage of Opti-lean's weight loss program without a physician?
The Opti-lean™ weight loss program is only available through medically-supervised weight loss programs. The program requires a prescription and oversight of medical professionals to better ensure its safety and your weight loss success. Because the program utilizes a very low calorie diet plan, it should only be undertaken with the support of Opti-lean’s medically-supervised hCG protocol.

4. How much weight will I lose with the hCG and Opti-lean’s diet plan?

Results will vary. Studies have shown that people lost more weight with hCG than without it, all other things being equal. Average weight loss is one-half to two pounds a day.

5. How can I get started on the Opti-lean™ weight loss program?
Private individuals can obtain Opti-lean™ and its hCG-powered regimen only when it is prescribed by a licensed medical professional who will supervise its use. 

6. Is hCG weight loss safe?
Over the years, experience has taught us that using hCG to aid weight loss is both safe and effective. Many have used the Opti-lean™ diet strategies to achieve significant weight loss and improvement in overall health.

Many patients with serious health problems such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, are seeing an overall improvement in their conditions and some are even able to get off their long term medications.

7. Is it really healthy to lose up to two pounds a day with Opti-lean’s hCG-enhanced program?
Yes. The beauty of hCG weight loss is that you are losing fat, not muscle like you do with most weight loss regimens. Because the Opti-lean™ program is medically-supervised, you have the added benefit of a medical professional to oversee your progress as you work toward your weight loss goal.

8. Does the type of weight lost really matter?
Yes. The goal of any healthy weight loss program should be to lose fat and maintain or boost muscle. Studies have shown that weight lost utilizing hCG comes directly from fat tissue rather than lean muscle.

9. Are there any side effects? 
The hCG diet has a long safety record and patients rarely report side effects. When hCG shots are used for fertility treatments, they have been known to cause side effects in some people. These include breast tenderness, headaches, leg cramps and edema. However, the much lower dose required for the Opti-lean™ hCG diet program usually eliminates those concerns.  The hCG diet may cause constipation due to taking in less calories, thus going less frequently. Gallbladder problems can be exacerbated due to the breakdown of the abnormal fat, which makes the gallbladder work harder.

Besides the accelerated weight loss and body re-shaping, many of Opti-lean™ clients report these additional positive effects:

  • Better, deeper sleep
  • Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
  • Less insulin needed if diabetic
  • Higher energy levels
  • General sense of well being
  • Less joint pain

10. Is hCG safe and useful for men too?
Yes, hCG is safe for both men and women. It is naturally present in all human tissue, including that of men and non-pregnant women. Due to the elevated quantity in pregnant women, hCG gets its reputation as a pregnancy hormone.

1. Why does a woman need hormones during and after menopause?
Hormones control virtually all functions of the body including our reproductive, immune and metabolic systems. Hormones can actually control our overall physical and mental health. As hormone levels decline, we suffer both physically and mentally. We lose our energy, vitality and longevity. By restoring these hormones, we regain our youthful zeal, strengthen our bodies and renew our minds. 

2. Why does a man need testosterone replacement?
As a man gets older, his testosterone levels decline. Testosterone offers cardiovascular protection, helps maintain bone density and muscle mass, helps maintain mental clarity, increases energy, decreases fatigue and regulates libido.

3. What are the side effects associated with synthetic vs. bio-identical hormones?
The molecule of the biological-identical hormone is identical in structure to the hormone naturally found in the body. Synthetic hormones have a structure similar to but not exactly the same as a hormone produced by your body. Pharmaceutical companies cannot patent natural or bio-identical compounds. However, they can patent chemically different molecules that are highly profitable. These chemical differences mean that the synthetic hormone acts differently and produces substantially different effects. Bio-identical and synthetic hormones should not be considered the same or used interchangeably. They are entirely different. A multitude of studies have demonstrated many harmful effects of synthetic hormones but medical literature supports no harmful effect of natural hormones -- only beneficial effects.

4. When will I see results?
Some patients see results within three to four days.  Other patients see results within 10-14 days.

5. What is the best time to consider bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
Most of our patients tell us they have lost their energy and feel tired all the time. Many say they have gained weight and can’t lose it. They just don’t seem to have that skip in their step or the zest for life. We listen to you describe your symptoms. We use laboratory results from blood studies (not saliva) to determine your hormone levels. Medical literature has shown blood studies to be more accurate to determine hormone levels than saliva studies.

Women: If you have depression, mood swings, fatigue, decreased libido, increased facial wrinkles, hot flashes, cold hands and feet, sagging skin and breasts, urogenital atrophy, loss of muscle tone or restless sleep, many of these symptoms directly correlate to decreased levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid. If you have had a total hysterectomy (removal of your uterus and ovaries) or have gone through menopause, you should start BHRT as soon as possible. If you are approaching menopause and experiencing irregular cycles, you should have your hormone levels evaluated. See our Female Hormone Replacement Questionnaire.

Download Questionnaire

Men: If you have fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decrease in muscular strength and tone, decreased libido or inability to maintain an erection, you should have your hormone levels checked. Many of these symptoms directly correlate to decreased levels of testosterone. See our Male Hormone Replacement Questionnaire. 

Download Questionnaire

6. Do I need to take these hormones forever?
No. If you decide to stop, your body will simply return to where it was before starting hormone therapy.

7. Will this treatment interfere with my currently prescribed medications?
Generally not. Some medications may actually be reduced or no longer be needed.

8. Will you take over as my doctor?
No. Our practice is specialized and limited to BHRT and weight loss. We will be happy to communicate with your current physician if needed.

9. Can The Broadway Clinic use lab work I have already done?
If your lab work is less than one month old and has the tests that we order, we will try our best to use that information. We can usually use your EKG if is less than a month old.

10. Is it covered by my health insurance?
The Broadway Clinic is not a provider under Medicare, Medicaid or Sooner Care programs. Some costs of BHRT programs are covered by insurance companies, including the initial physical exam and some of the lab work. Insurance coverage will vary. The compounded bio-identical hormones are not covered by insurance.

Some books for reference:

Neal Rouzier, M.D., “How to Achieve Healthy Aging”.
Suzanne Somers, “Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones”
Jonathon V. Wright, M.D. and John Morganthaler “Natural Hormone Replacement"

Definitions

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a major topic of research due to the beneficial effects hormonal supplementation has on overall health and well being. BHRT uses the same chemical structure as hormones naturally made in the human body. Natural, or bio-identical hormones, are metabolized the same as our own hormones so there are no unpleasant side effects or harm to the body.  As we age, our bodies decrease hormone production so supplementation becomes necessary. Low hormone levels are restored with sublingual troches, oral tablets and transdermal creams and gels.  Signs of decreased serum levels of hormones include increased visceral fat, overall fatigue, depression, low libido and mental confusion. Supplementation with BHRT is the safest and most natural way to restore balance and health.

Estradiol is the primary estrogen hormone and it metabolizes into estriol and estrone. Estradiol is the most potent estrogen and provides beneficial effects associated with the estrogens. Estrogens are primarily secreted by the ovaries and help protect against many diseases such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and osteoporosis.  Estrogens are also useful in protecting against and treating vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence.  Estrogen depletion presents with varying symptoms, including fatigue, depression, mood swings, decreased skin elasticity and urogenital atrophy that causes incontinence. Studies have shown that supplementing with bio-identical estrogen produces the same benefits of synthetics but with fewer side effects and better outcomes.

Progesterone, like estradiol is secreted by the ovaries and is equally as important as estradiol in both perimenopausal and menopausal women. During perimenopause, estradiol levels surge up to 400 or 500 before dropping. This causes abdominal cramping, mood changes, headaches, difficulty sleeping and irregular periods.  Along with estradiol, it protects against uterine and breast cancers, osteoporosis, fibrocystic disease, ovarian cysts, and coronary artery disease. There are progesterone receptor sites in the uterus, breast, vagina, blood vessels and brain. All of these organs and vessels benefit from progesterone supplementation.

DHEA is an endocrine precursor for the synthesis of testosterone, estrone, and estradiol and is produced in the adrenal glands. With age, levels of DHEA decrease at a constant rate each year, causing central obesity and insulin resistance present in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This hormone is vital in stimulating the immune system as well as decreasing cholesterol and body fat.  DHEA is also cardio-protective because it decreases tumor necrosis factor, which causes inflammation within the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Since DHEA is an endocrine precursor to other hormones, it works as a preventative treatment for heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Testosterone is produced in both men and women and serves to enhance mental health and clarity of thought.  This hormone along with others decreases with age, leading to depression, fatigue, and poor muscle tone or endurance.  In both men and women, testosterone works to improve lean muscle mass, bone density, libido and sexual performance.  Studies have shown that supplementing testosterone produces significant results in lean muscle mass, muscle strength, reductions in all over body fat and increased bone density. Testosterone also improves hyperlipidemia, skin tone and healing.

The thyroid gland produces both T4 and T3 hormones. T4 converts into T3, which is the active hormone controlling energy levels and metabolism.  Symptoms of underactive thyroid (or low levels of T4 and T3) are weight gain, fatigue, hair loss or thinning, constipation, dry skin and difficulty concentrating. To maximize the beneficial effects of thyroid hormones, we strive for optimal levels in addition to various other hormones.

Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that works to maintain our natural circadian rhythm, which determines our wake-and-sleep cycle.  As we age, production of this hormone decreases.  Supplementing melatonin improves sleep patterns along with the depth and quality of sleep.

More on testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone found in humans and vertebrates. This naturally occurring androgen (male hormone) is produced by the testes in men and the ovaries in women. Men have around 10 times the amount of testosterone that women have. Testosterone is the most potent circulating hormone of the naturally occurring androgens. In men it is vitally important for overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, testosterone begins to decrease after age 40 and andropause begins bringing with it all the effects of aging. Within the last few decades more and more studies have dramatically demonstrated that low levels of testosterone in men are detrimental to their health. Testosterone is so much more than a “sex” hormone. It is the non-sexual healthy benefits of testosterone that men must know about.

Brain Function - Testosterone enhances well-being and psychological stability. It is a memory enhancer. Testosterone helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It prevents depression. Testosterone receptors in the brain need testosterone for mental clarity, cognitive performance, short term memory and mood stabilization.

Cardiovascular Function – Testosterone levels have a direct correlation to heart and vascular health. Evidence suggests that low levels of testosterone are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in men. Testosterone lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides in most men, decreasing risk of heart attacks and strokes. We have witnessed these results with our patients and with ourselves. Statin drugs, with their potentially harmful side effects, are not healthier solutions to lowering cholesterol.

Endocrine Function – The more testosterone that is in the body, the less fat that will be in that body. Testosterone reduces visceral fat. Testosterone therapy can reduce intra-abdominal obesity and improve insulin concentrations in older men. It also reduces insulin resistance and improves glycemic control in men who have type 2 diabetes.

Muscle Function - Lean muscle mass and strength are increased with testosterone. Testosterone also increases endurance and exercise ability. Testosterone, when used properly to achieve optimum physiological levels, improves body composition by increasing lean muscle mass. Testosterone improves stamina when participating in athletic activities such as running, biking, swimming, golfing, and cross training.

Bone Function - Testosterone increases bone mineral density. As the body grows older our testosterone levels begin to lower. When this happens, muscle mass begins to be replaced with adipose tissue (fat) and the beginning of osteoporosis and osteopenia occur. Studies have shown that more than 40% of men over the age of 65, will die within 12 months after suffering a hip fracture. If and when a man falls in his 60’s-90’s, having optimal bone density is the difference between a bruised hip and a fractured hip.

Sexual Function - Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for erections, sexual desire, sensitivity, orgasm, performance and satisfaction. Studies have shown that the more satisfying sexual relationship a married couple enjoys, they will live longer and happier lives. Up until recently, a decrease in sexual activity as we aged was considered normal. We now know that is not the norm. Proper testosterone levels can restore sexual function. Drug manufactures spend millions of dollars each year suggesting men use erectile dysfunction medications. We suggest restoring your testosterone levels.

Prostate Function - For decades the medical establishment erroneously conjectured that testosterone replacement therapy increased one’s risk of prostate cancer. Recent studies have shown that testosterone is not the cause of prostate cancer nor does it cause an increase risk of prostate cancer. Moreover, prostate cancer is almost never seen in the peak testosterone years of the early 20’s. Actually there is an increase risk of prostate cancer in aging men with low testosterone. Another study from Harvard medical school found that testosterone replacement therapy is even safe for men who had prostatic precancerous lesions. The prostate needs testosterone to function properly.

Feeling Well - Energy, motivation, vigor, stamina, and a sense of well-being will return when testosterone levels are optimized. Quality-of-life studies have shown men with low testosterone levels that opted for testosterone replacement therapy, although hard to quantify, had a general feeling of well-being compared to men that did not choose testosterone replacement therapy. Because testosterone levels drop gradually as men age, most men notice subtle changes over time but have a difficult time trying to pinpoint why they don’t “feel” like they used to. These symptoms can stem from having low testosterone levels.

Medical Concerns - Acne can occur if one has susceptibility. This is dose-dependent and will subside with lowering the dose of testosterone. Male breast enlargement has occurred in rare cases. This will regress with dose reduction as well. There is a slight increase in red blood cell count with testosterone replacement; however this is benign. The medical term for this is erythrocytosis. Some physicians confuse this with a blood disorder called Polycythemia Vera. They are not the same.

Testosterone Levels - Most laboratories give normal reference ranges for testosterone between 300ng/dl to 1000ng/dl. These levels take into account all males between 10-90 years of age. According to Members of the American Endocrine Society and The Second Andropause Consensus Panel, testosterone levels less than 250ng/dl are considered very low, 400ng/dl is considered low and 500ng/dl is considered borderline low. The level that most males are at their peak fitness is 700ng/dl -800ng/dl/.

Testosterones Replacement Therapy -There are two types of testosterone used to restore testosterone levels. They are bio-identical testosterone and synthetic testosterone. Bio-identical testosterone has the same chemical structure and molecularity as testosterone that the body produces. It is metabolized by normal metabolic pathways of the body. Bio-identical testosterone is safe and does not produce harmful metabolites. Synthetic testosterone should not be confused with bio-identical testosterone. They are produced so that they can be patented. Synthetics are more likely to have side effects not seen with bio-identical testosterone,  including liver and kidney disease, an increase in blood pressure, aggression and insomnia.

Testosterone Replacement Methods - There are a variety of methods of testosterone replacement; injections, patches, creams, gels, sublingual troches, oral tablets, and subcutaneous pellets. Injections are painful and have a roller-coaster effect. Patches are not user friendly. Oral administration is harmful to the liver. Creams and gels have to be applied 1-2 times a day. Pellets are surgically inserted under the skin. None of these methods are as convenient as when the body produces its own testosterone, but not replacing testosterone to optimal levels is detrimental to one's health. The two methods we prefer are transdermal creams and subcutaneous pellets. Transdermal cream is applied two times per day and the body receives a steady amount of testosterone as well, but the cream must be applied twice a day, every day. Once implanted, pellets deliver a steady dose of testosterone. Within 4-6 months the pellets have been depleted and more must be implanted. 

In Summary - Medical literature worldwide demonstrates the beneficial effects of maintaining optimal testosterone levels. We believe that within the next 10 years testosterone levels will be monitored and addressed like lipid levels and glucose levels are today. Having low levels of testosterone is a precursor to disease and increased mortality. It is our belief that testosterone is a vitally important hormone for men’s health. We feel it is important that men in their 40’s to 90’s should be aware of their testosterone levels. If their testosterone levels are low we recommend testosterone replacement therapy utilizing either bio-identical testosterone transdermal cream or subcutaneous pellets.


J.Arden Blough, M.D

Todd F. Farris, D.C

Anna Cottle, A.R.N.P.

Allyson Kraker, P.A.-C

Physician supervised Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is available at The Broadway Clinic.