If you'd like to research this further, I have a MUCH more lengthy/detailed post about Lipo shots at my Lipo shot on the hCG Diet Blogpost here. But here's some main pointers.
PLEASE NOTE: The main point here is this - there is NO scientific proof that using Lipo/MIC shots increases weight loss on the hCG diet or that the functions of the ingredients do what they say on a level that actually changes your experience on the diet. That said, many people as you will see below, have expressed they felt the shots did help them, and you can read these below. Just like there's no proof the hCG Diet works for weight loss, those of us who've done it know otherwise on a personal level. So there is no way to be sure. It's simply something to try if you choose. The ingredients are not harmful - they are basic vitamins and amino acids that we consume in smaller quantities in our food, so for most of us, it's not going to hurt anything to try them.
Why do Lipo shots and b12 seem to help some and not others?
To me, this is not based on the ingredients themselves working or not working - it's whether or not YOUR body needs those ingredients or not. And you probably won't know that until you just do a trial.
The short of WHAT exactly "Lipo" shots even ARE."Lipo" (from the greek word meaning "fat") is short for Lipotropic and Lipotropic means (also sometimes called MIC injections - same thing):
"having an affinity (love/affection for) for lipids and thus preventing or correcting excess accumulation of fat in the liver."
So basically, Lipo shots have ingredients that LOVE fat so much, that they help steal it away from your body for themselves.
Okay that is the most non-scientific definition I've ever heard! Don't forget where you heard it from first. ;)-
A little more scientific wording: A little more scientific wording: Lipotropic injections have ingredients that help your body, and more specifically your LIVER, to breakdown fat more efficiently - it aids fat metabolism.
So why is this a good thing?
Because all the fat that your body is breaking down - whether it's the belly flab you have been waiting to no longer hang over your jeans, or the fat on your thighs that make pulling up the pant legs from high school a non-possibility, has to go through the liver FIRST before then fully exiting your body in some way.
Think about that for a second. 15, 20, 30, 50, maybe one hundred POUNDS of fat. Something you might be able to picture with your minds' eye filling up part of a wheelbarrow, being processed by an organ that is not quite 6 inches wide. Can we first just take a moment to applaud how wonderfully our bodies are made to have this kind of capability? Back to facts. Liver: 6" wide. Fat loss. Myself? I lost almost 40 lbs of actual fat on my own hCG diet journey - not water, not muscle, FAT. Please see attached hydrostatic bodyfat test results showing this:
If your liver has excess fat accumulation, either from prior fast weight gain, or from suddenly losing so much fat in a short amount of time, this could potentially impede fat loss on hCG. I mean, picture yourself in a small room, with so many clothes all around you that it feels like you're on an episode of Hoarders. How much are YOU going to accomplish in a tight clogged space like that? I rest my case.
INGREDIENTS OF LIPO AND MIC SHOTS
MIC stands for the ingredients: Methionine, Inositol, and Choline. Lipo shots are typically these 3 same ingredients + b12.
ALL of the ingredients are things your body needs - so you aren't inputting something that wouldn't be in your body otherwise.
In a nutshell what each of these ingredients do:
b12 = energy. Energy increase is typically pretty noticeable IF you are b12 deficient.
Methionine = One of the essential Amino acids (protein building block) that has a fat-metabolizing effect and reduces the depositing of fat in the liver.
Inositol = part of the family of B vitamins. Studies have shown inositol can have quite an impact on insulin resistance - which if you deal with this, can be one of the main problems for not losing weight on the hCG Diet. May be especially beneficial for ladies with PCOS while on hCG. Additional info on Inositol here.
Choline = Helps metabolize fat in the liver. What I found interesting in my choline research is that it's important to neurotransmitters (important for serotonin ie mental happiness). Some report feeling mentally better on the hCG Diet taking these lipo shots and I wonder if this could be partially why. Additional research on choline.
REVIEWS OF PEOPLE WHO'VE ACTUALLY USED LIPO & B12 SHOTS
Results of my tallies - these are individuals who responded to my survey on the hcgchica blog:
2/3rds felt the shots helped significantly, while
1/3rd didn't notice a difference.
Some have done hCG both with and without these extra shots and said they felt different or felt their results were better with them vs. without.
Total feedback on Lipo/MIC/Ultraburn
59 replies total
13 replies felt no difference/didn't help
46 replied said helped them fairly significantly in some way
Total feedback on B12
49 replies total
14 replies felt no difference/didn't help
35 replied said helped them fairly significantly in some way
You can see MANY more reviews at my more detailed Lipo blogpost here.
Yep hCGer 1:
I am on a round right now. I've done the HCG program many, many times. I bought my injections with both b12 and lipo through NuImage thanks to you and your discount (Thank you Rayzel!). I’m hypothyroid so maintaining my goal weight is EXTREMELY HARD for me hence the repeated rounds. Plus, I’m a sugar addict. I tried Nu Image one time before but all my other rounds I used sublingual drops through hcgbodyshapers.com but the FDA recently shut them down (March 23, 2017). They were very effective drops and only $120.
Anyhow, BIG TIME difference with the added b12 and lipo. BIG TIME! More energy and no first week withdrawals from reduced calories and carb withdrawal!! Cost more but if you need the added help I highly recommend. I struggled in the last 2 years maintaining my weight and each time I started the HCG program in the last 2 years I couldn't get past the first week due to carb withdrawal and feeling very tired. The first time I tried NuImage injections I didn't get the added b12 and wow! What a difference if you struggle.
-Sarah
Yep hCGer 2:
Yes I have been using the b12 with lipo and I see a huge difference in energy hunger and losses. I'm in my fifth round and I think my body over the years (or maybe old age ) became used to this way of eating. This seems to have taken me back to almost the same as my first rounds. I don't see major losses on the lipo days but I do tend to see them the following day.
Its methyl - it stings! I take it every other day. That is to your awesome tracking journal I am seeing all those results. I did several rounds RX sublingual ( local Dr ) and I had good losses and energy levels too vs plain injections but still hunger.
It could been due to my body not being as used to Hcg then but now adding it to the injections I'm seeing those results again and even better losses
So something there I think?
-Susan-
Yep hCGer 3:
I did use the mic/lipo during the shots from Nu Image and the ultra burn afterwards. I did notice more energy and also feel like I had more fat loss.
A lot of days I didn't even eat 500 calories and In previous rounds I would have no energy at all and feel really lethargic. When I did the lipo/mic along with the HCG, I never felt that way and I woke up each morning with huge amounts of energy. I lost more inches during Phase 3 when I used the Ultraburn than other rounds.
Also I did want to note that my rounds were usually 40-42 days not 21.
Nope hCGer 1:
I used the Lipo/B12 combo, and I have to say I didn't notice any appreciable difference. If I go for another round I won't be spending the extra money for these extras.
I was expecting SOME kind of improvement esp with B12 AND the lipo....but....nothing.
-Brenda
Nope hCGer 2:
I tried both the Lipo and the B12 with my injections purchased through Nu-Image. I could tell absolutely no difference. I wanted to, but nothing, nada, zilch. Wasn't worth the extra money for me personally.
-Lisa
Yep hCGer 4:
I use the Lipo injections each time I do HCG. They are definitely worth it. About one hour after my injection, I have a TON of energy which lasts about 4 days. I generally take 2 shots weekly and have energy from the time that I rise (around 6 am) to around 10:00 pm. I am more alert as well.
-Jana
Yep hCGer 5:
I used them (lipo and b12) in my first two rounds and felt like they made a huge difference in energy.
I did not use them for rounds 3 and 4. I would definitely recommend it.
-Nisa
-Kim
OPTIONS FOR BUYING/ADDING LIPO/B12 TO YOUR HCG DIET PROGRAM:
The companies listed on my blog that offer hCG kits + these add ons have various ways to do the lipo/b12
You'll see a few various options:
b12 can be added to your hCG mixing liquid
Lipo and b12 can be added to your hCG mixing liquid. In this case, no extra shots are needed.
Lipo/b12 can be ordered and taken separately- in these cases you typiclaly aren't taking another shot every day- usually it's more like 2-3x's a week in a higher dosage for the lipo.
You can also get separate vials of lipo and/or b12 to take as a separate shot and in this case, often will only be taken a few days a week in a higher dosage.
Lastly, some companies offer a lipo shot for Phase 3 (like Nu Image Medical's "Ultraburn", not just Phase 2, and some of the ladies who wrote in to me felt this was very helpful to them in stabilizing and feeling good during Phase 3.
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