Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that supports the normal development of an egg in a woman’s ovary, during ovulation. When hCG is injected into the body, it literally tricks the body into thinking it’s pregnant, thereby mobilizing certain hormones and fat stores, using glycogen, fat, and protein in the process for fuel.

But the FDA has not approved the use of hCG for weight loss treatment, obesity therapy or determined that the use of hCG contributes to an individual’s loss of body fat.

The FDA, in combination with the National Institute of Health and the manufacturers of hCG, have gone on the record stating that “hCG has no known affect on fat mobilization, reducing appetite or sense of hunger, or body fat distribution,” and also put forth that “hCG has not been demonstrated to be an effective adjunct therapy in the treatment of obesity and does not increase fat losses beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.”

Aside from those warnings, hCG clinics are popping up all over the country. Many of them are run by medical doctors, while a number of them are run by a non-medical staff.

Since DietsInReview.com recognizes that it is your choice to select a weight loss plan that matches your goals and lifestyle, it is our mission to provide you with objective information so that you can be make the safest and healthiest decision for your health. Here is what we found regarding the availability, protocol and access to hCG.

hCG can take the form of a cream, which is self-administered, and it is also available in an injection form. Since hCG is a prescribed drug, it should only be administered by a medical doctor; if it’s not or if you’re getting it from some other non-medical source, such as an online source, you might be risking your health.

When administered in a health clinic, typical beginning protocol is 26 days of 26 injections. Individuals must come in to the office or clinic daily to receive their injection. Most doctors who specialize in this will limit the number of the injections given at 40 years of age because the body appears to develop hCG immunity rendering them ineffective. Also, menstruating women should not receive any injections during their period, but the strict 500-calorie diet is still followed.

Just like with any product or service on the Internet, you can practically find and purchase anything. hCG kits, injections, and clinics are no different. Doing quick searches will yield a plethora of websites and clinics that claim to sell you or administer the hCG injections or the cream.

Like with any supplement or product, it is important to speak with your primary care medical doctor before beginning any new treatment plan.

Also Read:

• HCG Diet: Look Elsewhere for Weight Loss
• hCG Diet Review

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The Safety and Dangers of HCG Diet Clinics

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”

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

HCG Diet: Look Elsewhere for Weight Loss