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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
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mlocket - you might want to drop the exercising for awhile. In Dr. Simeons book he says 'Finally, the weight can temporarily increase - paradoxical though this may sound - after an exceptional physical exertion of long duration leading to a feeling of exhaustion. ...usually result in a gain of weight on the following day, unless the patient is in perfect training. Though the extra muscular effort involved does consume some additional Calories, this appears to be offset by the retention of water which the tired circulation cannot at once eliminate."
For those of you that think this is simply a 500 calorie diet - that's ridiculous to think that all the people that have done this believe 500 calories is sufficient for our body. There's more to it than that and it would be helpful if you would read Dr. Simeons book. It's available free online.
HCG can cause a flare up of acne. If someone is tired and irritable on the program they're probably not dosing right.
I hate needles, so I ordered the HcG and mixed it according to directions and squirt it under my tongue in the morning and in the afternoon. I found direction on how to mix on Utube, and just followed the diet (well I also cheated on the diet). On days where I cheated, I just did extra exercise to make up for the extra calories. I lost 20 pounds and also felt like I lost 20 years. My skin and hair looked better than it ever did. I am 49 and I got carded three times last week! I feel great! And I NEVER used the injection!
My wife started this diet, much to my dismay, about a week ago. I alerted her to all the side effects that may go along with it, and she's going along with this anyhow. Since then, ive noticed she's brokend out in a few pimples, and the irritablity is far beyond off the chart, although she says its fine. She's lots about a pound a day, so she's saying its working! The headaches and tiredness that she's having cant possibly be attributed to the 500 calorie intake(sarcasm).
If you are able to maintain this few amount of caloric intake, why not just make sensible choices and exercise? This is not a cure all and quite frankly sounds dangerous. There is a reason this hormone is on the list of banned substances in sports(pro baseball). Sure its going to work, but you cant maintain this forever. Its a temporary fix for weightloss, the only thing permanent is the loss of money spent.
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I started the diet 1 week ago. I have lost 10 lbs. I feel great, and do not struggle with being hungry. I work 3 nites a week and so it is a change to have to change my eating and drops. Thus far it is working great. I just hope it continues to come off, I would like to loose another 25-30.
So I have been on the HCG plan now for 11 days and have only lost 5 pounds. I do have to say I started my cycle last Friday, so that might be a big part of it. We shall see. I started out at 193.8 I woke up this morning to 188.6. Yes, it is nice to be under 190, however it seems like at this moment I am giving up a whole lot to have only lost 5 pounds. I am also on the treadmill 30 minutes everyday, so you would think with exercising and dropping the calorie intake to 500 you would think I would had lost way more than that. But, I am not going to give up. I have a goal to reach before July 9! We are going to Cancun and I refuse to be FAT this year. I plan to be at least 140 before we go on this trip. So I have 48 lbs. to go. That is around 10 pounds a month....... I WILL GET THERE!!!!!!!!! :)
Karen & Geillis, I have not done this diet nor would I even consider going on a diet like this. True you lose fat when you go on a 500 calorie diet of any kind, but you also lose muscle ! When you start eating normal again, you will gain weight again & usually more than you lost ! Plus the weight that you put on will all be fat - not any of the muscle that you lost on the diet.
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LindaC
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I just started my HCG drops on Saturday . Saturday and Sunday were my binge days.I started my low calorie diet on Monday. The first day I felt terrible. On my second day in the morning I woke up to find out when I weight my self that I had lost 4pounds! I went from 197.0 to 193.0 overnight. I'm following the program and I'm not cheating though.I drink green tea and lots of water during the day. You definitely have to have discipline otherwise you'll never make it. If you know you are quick to put on the weight you have lost by consuming white bread, rice, and sweets everyday then be more careful on your intake. Every-body is different,everyone has a different reaction to foods and medication. keep positive and be happy.
I've started this with a slight mess up, but no big deal. The dr gave me the first shot yesterday, but I didn't load. So I gave myself the second shot today, but it's my first load day. Usually I barely eat, just no appetite, so I figured I better force myself through these load days to make sure it works. I usually fast 2-3 times a year to get my arthritis pain under control, so the low calorie isn't scary for me.
Anyone that is worried about giving themselves a shot, the needle is tiny, you don't even feel it go in. Just pinch some skin about an inch away from the belly button and insert...simple.
My background - I have 40 lbs to lose. Was never overweight until given 8 steroid injections in my lower back for pain. I ballooned and no exercise or diet would reduce my weight. Now I have a plantar plate tear in my foot and can't do aerobics, so my activity level is drastically reduced. Can't get the surgery because of no insurance. Ugh! Anyway, doc suggested these shots so here I go!
Okay, so I am trying not to think about it, but I feel like this is where the hard part begins. I have gotten through the 2 day loading period and now on my 3rd day starting the 500 calories a day system. On day one I was at 191.3 after loading I am at 193.8.... I am excited and have been a litle tempted this morning, however I have controlled myself..... Had to set up for a meeting this morning and the first thing that came in front of me was Blue Berry Muffins, my favorite.... I did not touch them. 2nd I walked over to discuss some things with a co-worked who always has chocolate at her desk, I almost reached up and grab a piece, but I said NOOOOOOOO..... Do not touch! The funny thing is I am not really hungry at all, it is just the temptation right in front of my face.... So wish me luck. I really think if I can get past the first few days of this I will be fine, I just have to remember I am doing this for me and m health. Wish me luck and I will keep you all updated on my status!
I lost 27 lbs in 6 weeks on the HCG diet and did the 3 week maintenace program afterward. However, the weight is coming back and I exercise regularly (run on treadmill and take ballet class 2x week) and just eating healthy meals - I am gaining weight. It seems that any carbs or sweets just pile it back on - I can go up and down 5 pounds in a day or two and that never happened before. DId HCG do something to my metabolism that is negative? Also, I was hungry and tired with lack of focus during the diet. I need to lose another 15 pounds or so and will just keep eating healthy low cal meals and amp up my exercise. I may not be as thin but I feel better and that means something! Are others keepig the weight off after HCG with normal meals and activity or are you having to stick to
a diet that is close to the HCG protocol to keep it off? I cant and wont live like that. Life is too short! And some carbs are good for you as are some fats (olive oil, avocado, etc.)
I am very excited. I received the HCG drops in the mail today. I will start tomorrow. After reading all of these post I am so excited as to what I can accomplish with this HCG plan. I have tried not to call anything a diet anymore.
I had my son 14 months ago, I lost 30 of the 50 pounds I gained during pregnancy right off the bat. However, I had already gained so much weight prior to getting pregnant. Nothing I have done has seemed to work and nothing keeps me interested. I have tried exercising with one pound coming off a month, the turn around and gain it back. I tried Nutri System, was a total waist of money, have tried several diet pills, nothing has worked at all. I am now at 195.5 pounds, I would like to get back down to my weight when I got married, when I was 125. So wish me luck, I have all the faith in the world after reading all of the blogs that this is going to work and I am going to be able to keep it off.
I will update you as the days go by....... :)
After reading all the reviews, I am interested in this weight loss product. I only want to lose about 30lbs. I want to get the injection because I am not good with taking anything on time or daily. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me. I know the injections need a prescription from the dr. I am not over weight or obese, I weigh 147 lbs 5'5. I don't want to waste money going to the dr and they tell me they won't do it for me. Has anyone of you gone to the dr to get the shots when you aren't over weight or obese? Please email me for advise. Thank you.
My husband and I have been on it for 19 days. He has lost 30 lbs. and I have lost 19 lbs. It's hard and very disciplined but obviously that's what we needed. So far no side effects.
I will be starting the HCG shots on Monday. I will keep you all posted on my progress.
REDUCED calorie intake (Which is why these dummies that are on the diet are losing weight) This diet only allows 400-500 calories a day…..Well of course these stupid people are losing weight. And injecting foreign liquid in your body that Dr’s are charging for and making a ton money, isn’t the reason people are losing the weight. There may be some effects of the injection that helps weight loss, but so did half of the diet pills that have been recalled because of serious health risks.
If you ask me this diet is a cop out and the lazy way to lose weight. The only true way to lose weight and keep it off is a healthy diet and regular exercise. The body for life workout and eating program is a great one to go by….it also allows you to have one free day a week to indulge a little. I have lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks on this plan. What really makes me mad about these fad diets and stupid people, is that I had to work hard and lose my weight the right and healthy way. I am way too active to be taking in only 400 calories a day I would collapse from exhaustion. I don’t count calories I eat low fat good carb’s and lean protein and a lot of water. Also when the human body takes in so little calories it loses muscle mass…no thanks I don’t want to be a skinny fat girl, I want to look toned and feel healthy…I don’t think flabby skinny is attractive by any means. Five years ago I started martial arts and have lost 70 lbs, I went from a size 18-20 to a size 10 and I am not stopping now, I will reach my goal even if it takes another year. I want to be proud of what I accomplished and not ashamed because I gave into injecting foreign liquid in my body BECAUSE I WAS TOO LAZY TO WORK HARD!
Though the hCG diet is very low in the caloric intake, I found it to be very helpful. My dad and I went on this diet together, and though you must be very disciplined, the end results are pleasing. It comes in two other forms (not just the injections). We did the nasal spray, and there is also a topical ointment, though the injections are, I am assuming, the most effective. I lost 18 pounds, and he lost 20 (in our first rounds). After a short amount of time, you can do it again, if desired. And the only way I see that you can gain the weight back is if you go back to bad eating habits. Additionally, I never experienced any side effects from it, other than being hungry still. So, overall, if you can be THAT disciplined (and it is hard), I think very highly of this diet.
I had side effects - dizziness, irritable, tired and unlike others who claim they were not hungry, I was starving. It helped with cravings, but not hunger. After 6 days, I gained 3 pounds. It was a miserable diet for me and I've been on so many different diets that I cannot begin to count. It took 2 weeks of a 1,200 calorie diet to lose those 3 pounds that I gained on this diet.
I did the HCG injections through my doctor a couple of years ago. The shot was only once a week and the the calories was 1200 or less a day. No where near as drastic as what I've been reading. It worked great, no side affects to date. I lost 50lbs in less than 6 months. It was SOOOO EASY!! I kept it off for about 2 yrs. I have regained it all, but it is completely my own fault. I am quite ashamed of myself, considering how dedicated I was and how much $$ I spent. It is definitely a lifestyle change that keeps it off. I am really wanting to try the drops because I hate needles, but am not sure about them. Any advice would be great!
Wondering, if you only have say 10-lbs, if you recommend still the 500-caloric input, or will the drops still work, if only slight diet?
so far all the good reviews out weigh the bad so i have purchased the hcg homeopathic drops i will start tomorrow phase one me and i talked my husband in to it i only need to lose 20lbs im very excited i do have anxiety attacts so i have never been on a diet where i take pills this is the first diet where im actually using something im more concerned about jitters but i was reasured there are no jitters and promised my money back if anyone is starting the program like me i would love to chat and support you please email me
