Being in the health, wellness, weight loss field I get a lot of questions from clients asking about different diets. Whether it is low carb, baby food, master cleanse or carb cycling, there always seems to be a new ‘IT’ diet going around. Lately, it’s been all about the HCG diet.
I’m going to do my best to break down in a simple way what the HCG diet is, then give you my thoughts at the end… so here goes:
What is HCG?
HCG is a hormone naturally produced by pregnant women. Part of its function is to guarantee that the fetus gets the nutrients it needs, by tapping into fat reserves, whether the mother is eating enough or not.
Is the HCG diet FDA approved?
HCG is approved as a fertility aid. The diet use of the drug is NOT FDA approved. However, it is legally able to be used a dietary supplement if a doctor is willing to write the prescription.
How does the HCG diet work?
A patient enters a treatment plan that lasts anywhere from 23-43 days. During the first 3 days the patient calorie-loads, eating over 3000 calories a day. Then, after receiving the first HCG injection, the patient is put on a strict 500 calorie a day diet, and encouraged to make those 500 calories high in protein, low in carbohydrates and fats. Also, alcohol is forbidden.
During the treatment, daily HCG injections are necessary. After 40 days, the patient must take a break in order to allow the body to ‘re-sensitize’ to the diet. A patient must wait 6 weeks before reentering the program.
Does HCG act as an appetite suppressant?
Contrary to popular thought, no. Studies have shown that when comparing HCG injections to saline placebo injections, there was no difference in the amount of hunger experienced by patients. Some people may claim they felt less hungry, but scientists agree that it is simply the power of suggestion at work.
Will you lose weight on the HCG diet?
Yes. You will also lose weight if you suddenly drop to eating 500 calories a day, even without injections. HOWEVER, as with any starvation diet, you will lose quickly, then hit a plateau, ruin your metabolism and gain all the weight (plus some) back once you return to normal eating.
How much does it cost?
The initial visit is usually around $150. Each injection is $10 (totaling $400 per treatment round). Plus, there are follow up visits to pay for as well.
What are some of the possible side effects of the HCG diet?
Headaches, blood clots, confusion, hair loss, swelling of the hands and feet, shortness of breathe, pelvic pain, possible increased fertility.
What’s my take?
It’s the newest health gimmick. I’ve said it before: pick any diet in the world you want- cabbage soup, nothing but gummy worms, seriously… whatever you want- and it will work for you.. short term. All these fads have a common thread- severe calorie reduction. These will lead to a rapid drop in weight. However, not only will you sacrifice your energy, health, lifestyle satisfaction, etc, you will ruin your metabolism. Your body is very adaptable and will slow down it’s processes quickly to adapt the the dramatic drop in calories. This is when you will hit the plateau. Then once you return to eating normally, or even if you just add in an extra couple hundred calories, your body will immediately store this as fat and your weight will quickly return, plus some.
That’s just the beginning. Don’t get me started on the fact that you are injecting hormones into your body.
Have you heard of the HCG diet?
What are your thoughts?
John J. says
Might I conclude that you do not endorse this diet!?
Melissa says
Interestiing post! I have not heard of this. I agree no hormones are necessary to lose weight. Duh!! Restricitng calorie intake to 500 per day will result in weight loss but is way too low and not worth all of the other side effects that will come along with it like decreased metabolism and all of the other stuff you mentioned. What part of burn more than you consume do some people not get?
As for a fertility treatment I may one day have to look into it because I must have fertility issues since I have never used any birth control and never been pregnant. The closer I get to 30 the more I am starting to worry. Thanks for the insight!
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
This is the stupidest diet I’ve ever seen. of course you lose weight, you are hardly eating.
some docs are making major money off this.
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
I have heard of this and its just the weirdest diet ever!!! Someone at my hubby’s work did it and obviously he lost the weight…but who wouldn’t with a 500 cal diet. I can’t believe the kind of diets people come up with these days!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Yikes! I’ve never heard of this and it sounds completely insane. I’m all about people choosing diets to improve their health, but this pretty much ruins your health. I would absolutely faint if I only have 500 calories a day.
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
It sounds foolish. It’s hard to believe there are doctors who will write the prescriptions.
britt will be fit says
I’m doing the jenny craig….
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I think that this is crazy! I would never recommend it to anyone as I am fairly certain the brain and organs need more than 500 calries a day to function properly. And the side effects are insane!!
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
Goodness gracious, this diet is FRIGHTENING! A 500-calorie/day allotment is extremely dangerous! Especially if it’s so low on carbohydrates…The body will start eating away at it’s own muscle for fuel (not fat), which I’m sure isn’t the goal of those who prescribe to it! Any doctor that recommends this diet should NOT be a doctor!
Roz says
Yikes, this sounds awful. So sad that people will go to all these extremes to drop some pounds, only to gain them back. Interesting post, thanks for sharing!!
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
Fad diets seriously perplex me – do people really think that is the solution to weight loss?? That particular diet sounds terrible and unhealthy. Thanks for explaining and giving you take, Brittany!
Africa says
Thanks for the truth. Love it
Wayne says
How few calories would be safe and a good number to shoot for and still lose weight safely?
I am contemplating all out Anorexia, or farewell to fitness.
I’ve been shooting for 1200 per day, eating 1400 per and exercising off 200 five days a week.
(at this rate I should lose 1 LB every 5 to 7 days, I have heard that 1 to TWO lbs a week weight loss is safe) I eat mostly greens and healthy stuff and binge a little occasionally.
If 2000 cals a day is my maintenance number, (I am 50 years old and mildly active) mathematically I should have lost 7 since a month and a half ago, but I’ve only lost 2 LB.
I am wondering if HCG diet has switched my body into “survival” mode. I’ve done HCG twice and was hungry and lost weight BUT. I gained it all and more back, FAST both times. I have since counted every calorie I’ve eaten for 2 mo. (2000 calories is not very many when you start to keep track.) I have read that 3500 calories more (or less) than your allotted 2000 (or so) per day, will equal 1 lb lost or gained.
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Diet shakes and prepared meals are fine to lose a few pounds.
HCG weight loss injections are very healthy and
natural to use, but it’s important to get the right
dosage and to monitor your results. The whole basis of the HCG Diet is to eliminate fats; reset the diencephalon, thus
changing the way fat is stored. Ask questions at the toll free phone
number, mentioned at the product for any doubts regarding Hcg Diet Plan or Hcg
Diet Business. While total calorie intake is definitely of paramount importance on your fat loss diet, next to
that is the meal frequency and timing in which you use.
When was the last time you were on a weight loss program that actually worked.
 Most large bookstores now have several books about the HCG diet and some of the
books even include recipes for you to make out of the permitted foods.
Now that the body isn’t afraid to use up it’s fat reserves, it starts to burn fat
to create energy the body needs to make up the 1500 calorie deficit.
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If you are serious about losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle, it is about time that you look more into the HCG hormone diet.
Regular intake of these drops doesn’t make a lot of change in your lifestyle.
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Dieters will find it is easier to strictly follow the 500-calorie diet
program with the help of HCG needles or common HCG products.
This problem cannot be solve in any exercise or diet
plan unless you use the special ingredient which is h – CG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin).
The drops do not have any side effects and this is one of
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health and lifestyle says
After you stop taking the diet drops, continue with the 500 calorie diet for 3 days before adopting a 2000 calorie
diet for the next 3 weeks. Although nobody will
say for sure what the definite causes are, the theories are:.
” However, dieters should understand although h – CG dieters might lose similar amount of weight comparing to those without h – CG, they tend to lose more body fat because h – CG cause dieters to lose adipose fat tissues rather than muscle or structural fat comparing to other diet programs.
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Note: There are currently NO HCG drug has been approved by FDA yet
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