Book excerpt: Stephen Holt MD navigates the controversies surrounding the HCG diet which has become one of the most popular weight control interventions in the practice of Integrative Medicine in the U.S. The experts agree: This book is another masterpiece of thought on weight control from Stephen Holt MD who is a pioneer of integrative medicine on a global basis. -John Salerno DO, Atkins Consultant, The Salerno Center, New York The HCG Diet Revolution is a very thoughtful account of the reactivation of interest in the Simeons Diet that was first described in the 1950's. This book takes a cautiously optimistic approach to this diet which is still "in search of an evidence-base". The Simeons approach was defined to improve the aesthetic outcome of weight control with improvements in body contour. This book is more than mere dietary advice and it introduces important concepts concerning the impact of Metabolic Syndrome X and prepares a pathway for the increasing acceptance of laparoscopic bariatric surgery. It focuses upon new challenges that face modern recognition of recalcitrant obesity. - TV Taylor MD, Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Texas and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Many mature women have discovered the benefits of the HCG diet. There have been thousands of applications of this diet in the practice of integrative medicine in the past three years. This topic has emerged as controversial and is the subject of much misinformation on the world wide web. This book describes the putative benefits of HCG administration, the importance of the diagnosis and the management of Metabolic Syndrome X and it integrates approaches to the modern increasing practice of "non-invasive" bariatric surgical procedures. -Ester Mark MD, Anti-Aging Clinician and Women's Health Expert, Laguna Hills, California