The FDA announced yesterday that there is no evidence that hCG is an effective means of weight loss, and further called hCG weight-loss products fraudulent and illegal. Although the products do not appear to be “a serious direct health hazard or a serious indirect health hazard,” says Elizabeth Miller, the FDA’s leader of the Internet and health fraud team, “they could be subject to enforcement at any time.” The 500 calorie “protocol” to be followed while taking hCG is surely the cause of all weight-loss that users observe, and Miller says that the products are at least “economic fraud.”

Another major problem with many hCG products is that many claim to be homeopathic. True homeopathic remedies use a very small amount of a disease-causing substance to treat a condition. However, hCG is a hormone made by the placenta during pregnancy, and its use in no way could be considered homeopathic. “We are aware of HCG products that claim to be homeopathic, but it is not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia,” said Miller, adding that such products “are not recognized by the FDA as homeopathic drugs, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal.”

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2011 is here, and while last year was full of obesity epidemic warnings, statistics and awareness, 2011 will focus on long lasting, effective ways to reverse the trend. The population will be split, which isn’t a new development, between those who prefer a laid out, restrictive, step by step plan, and those who prefer gradual, yet effective, progress through behavioral changes for a lifestyle overhaul.

17 Day Diet: Featured on almost every health-based TV show there is, Dr. Moreno’s 17 Day Diet is formulated to change every 17 days to keep your metabolism revved and guessing. Comprised of 4 main cycles, each one focuses on different aspects of healthy living, including sparking your metabolism, creating healthy habits and working back in treats. The diet is so popular because it not only helps dieters drop weight, it actually teaches the dieter to eat properly on their own and is easily integrated into everyday life.

School Lunch Reform: The government has finally stepped in and made changes in the nutrition offered to our children in public schools to try and combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic. 2011 will continue to show further improvements and reform, while allowing the new programs, which cut junk food and add more fruits and vegetables, to produce results- hopefully positive ones that will improve the health and life span of today’s children.

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If you’re resolving to lose weight, you’re probably researching the best diets and which is right for you. A quick way to determine that is to use our diet finder, which will match your budget, goals and lifestyle with the weight loss plan that best suits your needs.

Or, you can take a look at this list of must-watch diets for 2011. These are the ones you’ll no doubt hear your co-workers, aunts and best friends raving or complaining about in the new year. Some are a bit faddish and lend themselves to yo-yo dieting, others have solid foundations that set you up for success this year and for more to come.

The 17 Day Diet

This one broke out on the scene with the book’s release in November 2010 on Dr. Phil. Dr. Mike Moreno wrote the book to help people kick-start their weight loss, re-learn how to eat via meal plans and 17-minutes a day worth of exercise, and then give them the information they need for on-going maintenance. It’s a cycled way of eating that keeps the metabolism from getting bored and settling in to a status quo.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus

In November 2010, Weight Watchers unveiled the most significant change to its program in 13 years. Using the latest in nutritional science along with Weight Watchers’ nearly 50 years of expertise, the new approach allows for clients to make healthier, more satisfying choices. The new PointsPlus calculation includes protein, fiber, fat and carbs, instead of just fiber, fat and calories.

Jillian Michaels

The Biggest Loser trainer is on her way out of primetime, with season 11 being her last, but it is in no way her swan song. If anything, this is just her prelude. Men and women alike clamor to reap the benefits of her fitness empire that you’ll no doubt hear someone tell you that they’re using her fitness DVDs, using her online weight loss plan, or reading her books and cooking her recipes.
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“Based on the aggregation of billions of search queries people typed into Google this year, Zeitgeist captures the spirit of 2010,” announced Google last week.

At DietsInReview, we make it our business to keep our readers up-to-date with the latest diet, nutrition and health trends. Here’s our rundown on 2010 in health searches.

1. HGC Diet

HCG is a pregnancy hormone that recently has been incorporated into one of the hottest fad diets of the year. Our review of the dangerous and controversial diet has remained one of the most popular articles on our site for many months.

Related Article: HCG: Look Elsewhere for Weight Loss

2. Dr. Oz

Once a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz has become a celebrity in his own right, with The Dr. Oz Show. He is also the author of many books, including YOU: On a Diet, YOU: Being Beautiful and You: The Smart Patient.

Related Articles: Dr. Oz Fights Teen Obesity, The Skinny on Cellulite from Dr. Oz

3. Aspergers

Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that does not typically affect linguistic and cognitive abilities, but rather inhibits normal social interaction.

Related Article: Can Asperger’s Syndrome Be Helped by a Gluten-Free Diet?

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Sarah Palin Bashes Healthy Snacks

It’s being called “cookie gate” as the former Alaskan governor mocks efforts by Pennsylvania’s board of education to reduce childhood obesity.

The Real Origins of the McRib

We couldn’t make up this kind of food science experiment if we wanted to. Hear from McDonald’s exactly how this 500-calorie pop culture sandwich is made.

Use Your Body as Effective Fitness Equipment

Your body weight propels you through walking, swimming, yoga and so much more. Put that weight to work to really get the most out of your strength training workouts – no free weights needed!

Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook Releases

Chef Devin Alexander, the book’s author, calls it the first all-natural dessert cookbook. Its pages are filled in guiltless indulgences inspired by the Biggest Loser diet.

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