hCG Diet
A controversial diet that calls for hormone injections.
BACKGROUND
A potential diet supplement administered through injections, the hCG Diet is a very controversial weight loss method. hCG stands for the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin, which is the same hormone that is produced by women in their early stages of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the surge of this hormone signals the hypothalamus in the brain to start moving nutrients and fat into the placenta. When used as part of a weight loss program, it is the fat-mobilization aspects of the hormone that has garnered attention for its seeming ability to help facilitate weight loss.
Even though the FDA has approved hCG shots for fertility reasons, there is no scientific evidence that shows the hCG Diet can significantly promote weight loss. Although it is used in conjunction with a very low calorie diet, any weight loss that occurs is likely to be due to the reduced caloric intake rather than the hCG shots themselves.
Many side effects have been shown in those who take hCG shots for weight loss. Blood clots, depression, headaches and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women have all been cited as common, and even deadly, side effects associated with hCG use.
Typically, the hCG Diet lasts for three weeks and is monitored by a health professional.
PRO
- May promote weight loss when used in combination with a reduced calorie diet
CON
- Not considered safe
- Weight loss is more likely to due to extremely restricted caloric intake rather than injections
- Weight loss is temporary
- Side effects can be very serious
INGREDIENTS
hCG injections contain the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin.
ADMINISTRATION
An injection of 125 iu of hCG is administered daily.
DIET and EXERCISE
Those who use hCG injections to lose weight must also follow a very strict diet that amounts to no more than 500 calories a day.
For the first two days of the injection you are allowed to eat excessively. Following the third injection, you must adhere to the 500-calorie diet until 72 hours following the last injection given. Sugars, very sweet fruits, processed foods and heavy starches are not allowed.
An hCG Diet protocol outlined by advocate Dr. A.T.W. Simeons looks like this:
- Breakfast: Coffee or tea with artificial sweetener and one tablespoon of milk. Lunch is 100 grams of lean meat, poultry or fish in addition to one low-glycemic vegetable like spinach, celery, cucumbers or cabbage. One Melba toast and one fruit like half of a grapefruit or an apple is also allowed.
- Dinner is the same as lunch.
In addition, shots of apple cider vinegar can be taken as a daily supplement. Products and make-up that contain any fatty substances like mineral oil or almond oil cannot be used.
Websites dedicated to promoting the hCG Diet contain recipes and additional protocol information and tips.
CONCLUSION
The hCG Diet is highly regimented and a very controversial weight loss program that involves the administration of hormone injections coupled with a very low-calorie diet. Popular amongst steroid users and those daring and desperate to lose weight quickly, the hCG Diet is not a weight loss program that is readily endorsed by health and medical professionals for its obvious flaws and real risks for dangerous side effects.
Common Misspellings
HCG, hgc diet, hormone diet, pregnancy hormone diet, hcg injection diet, Human Choriogonadotropin diet
Related Diets: Calorie Restriction Diet , The Pregnancy Diet, Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
> Leave Feedback
User Feedback
(Page 1 of 1)
After working out excessively doing Zumba and stength training excersize classes, restricting my food intake and staying away from anything white,I have gained 30 lbs. This was all in a 5 month period. I started to get extremely fatigued, cold all the time, forgetful, blotchy skin and bad periods. When to my gyno who had ordered blood work and found my thyroid levels were off. Went to the Endocronologist who told me he thinks my thyroid problem came with a flu I had in the beginning of the year. It infected my Thyroid and my hormones are in a year long cycle of shooting straight up and bottoming out. So you see, you can gain weight by excersizing and dieting. I have my appointment with the endoronologist in two week to go over all the tests I took. Depending on the reults I will start the Hcg diet as soon as I can. I don't have to many choices since my metabolism is running so low. I can't take diet pills due to panick attacks and high blood pressure, and I don't really want to get the lap band, unless it's the last resort. So all you nay sayers out there with a speedy metabolism, There are people who have medical conditions that make it impossible to lose weight and keep it off. We are not just all lazy gluttons.
Profile
Message
Doesn't this diet seem a bit extreme? I mean what happens after you stop taking the injections? There is no way on earth anyone can sustain a 500 calorie diet over a long period of time, and from what I understand, you can only be on this short term.
Personally, I would much rather eat healthy and exercise over the long term than to put my body through this strain - only to gain it all back within a couple of months.
No wonder people who have weight issues have low self esteem - it's diets like this that make us feel like we have no will power.
Today is 2 wks & i feel great! Lost 14 lbs so far but not cheating AT ALL. I AM missing sweets, tho that 's probably just because i know i can't have it!
Hcg, does show results of a pound or more. This diet is not easy and is more of a mental struggle. I have done it off and on for 2months. I feel when I go off my body stores everything I eat. I am interested in other approches. Good Luck it was just not for me.
Lost 24 pounds in 40 days. I feel great!, energized, healthy and thin.
Did this article really tell me anything?
No the hcg diet in completely safe! The hcg just boosts your metabolism. And because of this, your body absorbs about 150 calories of body fat a day. This is how you can maintain a low calorie diet without feeling hungry. If you dont the diet wont work. Visit for some modern hcg diets which are safe, unlike Dr Simeons original hcg diet, which the fda warns against.
Doctors and clinics are offering this in most major metropolitan areas now. Anyone can research hCG itself and the diet. There is no secret around it. It is also possible to use the hCG sublingually for those who don't like injections. It's a fairly easy diet to follow. Also, there are built in breaks so though you lose fast and well on the diet, you have forced plateaus so it isn't particularly faster than anything else if you have more than 20-30 pounds to lose.
This seems a little extreme to me hormone injections and a 500 calorie a day diet
See 336 more diets
