HCG Diet

Posted on Oct 21st 2009 3:45PM by Martha Edwards

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonapotropin) is a hormone present in both men and women that is typically used to increase fertility. HCG levels are especially high in pregnant women, and subsequently it's been dubbed the "pregnancy hormone." The HCG hormone is thought to trigger our bodies to burn off more stored fat than we usually would, a belief that has lead to the foundation of the HCG Diet.

The HCG diet is fairly controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, it restricts dieters to 500 calories a day -- well below the recommended daily amount -- is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy. Secondly, the FDA has only approved use of HCG for fertility treatments, and there are no comprehensive studies showing that the HCG hormone either works for weight loss or is safe in the long run. Finally, one of the diet's main promoters, Kevin Trudeau, is well-known in the weight-loss industry for being a convicted fraudster.

The first component of the HCG Diet is daily administration of the HCG hormones, either through an oral supplement or an injection. The second component of the diet is a strict eating plan that allows dieters to consume only 500 calories a day. Breakfast consists of only coffee or tea without sugar but with a tablespoon of skim milk if desired. Lunch and dinner on the HCG diet each consist of 100g of lean protein with one vegetable, one cracker and a small rationing of fruit. Regular doses of the HCG hormone are thought to reduce the side effects of extreme hunger, including nausea, headaches and hunger pains. There are no exercise requirements on the HCG diet.

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Tags: 500 calories, 500Calories, diet, dietary, fertility, hcg, hcg diet, HcgDiet, human chorionic gonadotropin, HumanChorionicGonadotropin, kevin trudeau, KevinTrudeau, pregnancy hormone, PregnancyHormone, weight loss, WeightLoss

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Don 11-02-2009 @ 12:14AM

As I understand it, HCG forces the body to use unhealthy fat stored by the body first, which is just the opposite of most diet regimens. I've seen the results on several people, including my sister, and it is nothing short of amazing. I've also noticed no ill effects, and I've seen my sister when she's hungry and when she's not, so I know from her reactions that HCG does, indeed, reduce hunger.

May I suggest that you allow for empirical and experiential evidence before dismissing something out of hand?

Namaste',
Don

K 11-10-2009 @ 10:31PM

I actually found out about the HCG diet from my doctor and am getting the injections from another doctor's office (as opposed to a weight loss clinic). One of the nurses in the office just started it on Halloween and has already lost 11 pounds. That makes it hard for me to believe that it "is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy." The main thing I was told was that it shouldn't be done outside of a physician's supervision so perhaps it's with the online ones that there's a problem?

HCG Diet 11-14-2009 @ 7:13AM

Cool Post! Very informative dude. I saw this site while browsing and think it may be relevant . Keep up the good work!

FauxJo 1-23-2010 @ 1:32PM

The HCG diet has truly saved my life. I have tried everything to lose weight and this has worked for me and I am so grateful to have found this. I have lose 120 pounds on the HCG diet in six months and feel like a new person. I found a very affordable program that has full support online. HCG Buy Direct in Arizona has wonderful people to support you and I would of never been able to achieve this if it wasn't for this company.
I not only feel like a new person, my health has improved so much and with this plan I'm keeping it off. It also has improved my skin elasticity to the point you are unable to tell that I have lost so much weight, no sagging skin! I really believe this is an answer for a lot of people that have struggled with weight issues. Healthy feels Wonderful!
take care, FauxJo in AZ

KP 2-18-2010 @ 9:51AM

Hey FauxJo...I just found the website you were referring to on Facebook and am about ready to order. I haven't had a chance to read the diet protocol, but have downloaded it. I am just so excited to hear about your results. I would love to talk with you further via email. You are a true inspiration! KJP259@aol.com

Sunni 4-27-2010 @ 1:11AM

Hi FauxJo & KP, I am on the HCG diet for the first round and Wed. is my last day for drops. So far I have lost 18 pounds and have had no side effects. I decided to do this because my girlfriend is on round 3 and she has now lost 54 lbs. and looks great. We both feel so much better without this weight on us. She ordered the drops on-line and downloaded the book so we have been following that. It is hard when you go into the grocery store and EVERYTHING has SUGAR in it.....!!! Good Luck KP and Congrats FauxJo. I live in AZ and was wondering if that company is actually here....? Take care, S

Debbie 7-05-2010 @ 8:10PM

Hello everyone,

It it really sad to hear about so many people going on the HCG Diet because they take the "research" the people that sell this stuff post on their website as facts.

In 2009, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians issued a position statement which stated:"Numerous clinical trials have shown HCG to be ineffectual in producing weight loss"

If someone achieves any permanent weight loss by using it, I would say it is probably a case of their being at a point when they are emotionally and physically ready to drop the weight, and the HCG is just a mental tool they use to help themselves do it.

However, the extremely low calorie limit is what concerns me the most about the HCG diet. Nearly all medical experts agree that it is not safe to eat only 500 calories a day for an extended length of time. It can cause all sorts of health problems. Please do not risk your health on their theory about the HCG only causing your body to burn fat and not muscle!

I've noticed LOTS of people that sell HCG products are filling up the diet-related health forums with "success story" posts about how great it is and how much weight they supposedly lost (which look like they were posted by ordinary people that want to lose weight), along with a link to a website where you can order it. I would be very skeptical about dealing with any of those companies.

One place that has unbiased reviews and information about HCG and other diet plans is
www.ultimatefatburner.com/hcg-review.html

You can also read it about it at Diet Scam Watch

www.dietscam.org/reports/hcg.shtml

where they have several links to scientific research on the subject.

Hope that info helps!

Cheryl 7-13-2010 @ 1:02PM

This "diet" has been around for about 40 years. It was started by Dr. Simeon. It is not unhealthy because HCG is a hormone that is in the body, especially when a person is pregnant. It is completely natural...and I happen to be one of those people who has used it and had great results. The statement "is believed by virtually all qualified health professionals to be extremely unhealthy" I guess would be contingent on who you believe to be a qualified health professional. The doctors who do Bariatric medicine are fools if they don't really look into this and see how it works...perhaps it is because they don't think they can make enough money on it. That is usually what it all comes down to: MONEY.
This diet was recommended to me (and used by the physician himself) by the most highly acclaimed alternative medicine doctor in the United States. Dr. Jonathan Wright. That is enough for me.

MAGGIE 10-10-2011 @ 2:23AM

once again, the only negative comments about hcg are from people who have not gone on it. Say what you like, but I have not been able to lose weight due to struggling with diets and have lost 19 kgs in the space of 3 months with hcg. i wont need to do it again now and purchased it off an internet site. it is the best thing for weight loss and re educates you on how to eat. if i ever tried to diet, all i could think of was food, and i would end up eating wrong no matter how hard i tried, due to my head feeling so fuzzy . im sure now its just not realising exactly what sugar is and what it does to you. hcg teaches you to look at food in a totally different light and gives you time to work out what your food options REALLY are, without physical side effects of usual dieting that play havoc with your sugar levels and dependancy. im totally off proccessed foods and refined sugar now and have never felt better in my life and its all thanks to hcg.