HCG Diet: Look Elsewhere for Weight Loss
By Sian on Nov 16, 2009 with Comments 7
You won’t see me promoting quick fixes or fad diets anytime soon. But every once in awhile something comes along that seems so dangerous I have to call it out. That’s why I’m going to help reveal the truth behind the HCG diet.
What it is: HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. This hormone is detected in the blood around 11 days after conception; it is detected in the urine around 12-14 days after conception. While it is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it is present in both genders.
What it does in the body: HCG signals the hypothalamus (area of the brain that affects metabolism) to mobilize fat stores. In pregnancy, this helps the body bring nutrients into the placenta, fueling the fetus with the energy to grow.
The weight loss claim: The HCG diet (using daily hcg injections) will help you lose 1-3 pounds per day. The HCG-diet combines the daily injections with a very low-calorie diet (500 calories per day).
500-calories per day is severely restrictive! In fact, it is not enough calories to support normal brain function. Your body will compensate by using stores of glycogen, protein (muscle) and some fat, which lowers your resting metabolism. Before you can lose true weight, you will be so irritable, lightheaded, and cranky that you’ll reach for whatever food you can get your hands on and have a field day.
Scientific evidence: There is no scientific evidence supporting HCG injections as a weight loss strategy. In addition, these injections have not been approved by the FDA for use in weight loss. In fact, since 1975 the FDA has required all marketing and advertising of HCG to state the following: “HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”
“HCG is a hormone extracted from urine of pregnant women. It is approved by FDA for treatment of certain problems of the male reproductive system and in stimulating ovulation in women who have had difficulty becoming pregnant. No evidence has been presented, however, to substantiate claims for HCG as a weight-loss aid.” via the FDA
HCG ban: The hormone was recently added to the list of “banned substances” in Major League Baseball, as it was becoming increasingly popular among steroid users. Athletes turned to this, among other “performance enhancing drugs” because it “mitigates the side effects of ending a cycle of steroids.”
Negative side effects: The common side effects include headaches, mood swings, depression, blood clots, confusion, and dizziness. Some women also develop a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS); symptoms of this include pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and legs, stomach pain, weight gain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting/nausea, and/or urinating less than normal.
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Weight loss is hard work and it won’t come in a potion, pill, or injection. The most “dangerous” thing you should be doing to your body is trying a new exercise that intimidates you like rock climbing or completing a marathon.
Sources:
Banned in MLB
HCG Side Effects
FDA
CalorieLab : “Weight loss is hard, and human pregnancy hormone won’t change that”
Associated Content : “HCG Marketed by convicted fraud, Kevin Trudeau”
Diet Scam Watch : “HCG Worthless as a weight-loss aid”
Visit DietsinReview
Love your Post!!I found it very interesting.
I’m doing hcg. I did a lot of research and there are more harmful chemicals in food than the supposed danger. Pregnant women have up to 400,000iu of hcg in them during their pregnancy. We give it to women in high dosages for fertility and we even give it to prepubescent boys. The amount taken on this diet daily is 125 to 250 iu (depending on the person). There is plenty of testimony and pics of those on it for a long time on youtube that are seeing and sharing their results. FDA has said a lot of stuff was safe for us but look at the list of crap that has been recalled. Big government hates it when we do things they don’t agree with so they deem it “illegal” simply because they can’t control it. In the past 8 days I’ve lost almost 9 pounds.
I agree it is important that you research any weight loss regimen before beginning it. The internet is saturated with HCG dieters’ accounts but getting medical advice is recommended. You can find HCG FAQ’s, tips, dangers and side effects on various websites. It is smart to read up on various HCG diet protocols and see what will work best for you.
I am doing the HCG diet right now. I’m being monitored by a physician. I did ‘hella’ research before I decided to do it. I also, personally, know several people that did it successfully, where able to get off insulin and had a lot of other positive results to their overall health after completion.
Trust me… it is not a quick fix, nor is it easy. The weight does come off faster than others, but just like other diets, you have to have will-power, discipline to control what you eat, and to drink enough water and take the necessary vitamins. The first few days I wasn’t tired but I did feel a bit hungry. It wasn’t a fun feeling but no different than any other restriction diet. I do not feel hungry now that I’m a week in. I feel just fine and amazingly my allergies have disappeared (I’m sure not because of hcg, but eliminating something I’ve been eating that caused the allergy while on the restriction part). Anyway, please do a lot of research on this before having a negative opinion. There is a healthy and not healthy way to do any diet including this one. But if you are in good health in general and have a realistic body image and healthy attitude I think one can do it. Not every diet is for everyone. Some may not like this, for me it is working and I’m happy. I work out A LOT and eat very clean, gluten and lactose free and no processed foods or colas… I still struggle with my weight. Some people cannot just exercise and eat well to remove fat. The body is complex and there are many more factors, hormonal or otherwise, that come into play.
God bless
Anyone tried ali weight loss pill? please only answer from experience. How much weight did you lose? How long did it take? any side affects?
Yuck – I hope people contemplating this will take one look at the drugs and say, “this isn’t worth it”
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