hCG Diet
A controversial diet that calls for hormone injections.
QUICK FACTS
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
- Established: 1950s
- Founder: Dr. A.T.W. Simeons
- Accessibility: Injections and drops
- Diet Type: Extremely low calorie along with hCG drops or injections
- Gender: Male and female
- Celebrity Endorsements: Snookie (Jersey Shore), Jenni Farley, Britney Spears
BACKGROUND
See our interview: hCG Diet Reviewed by FullBar's Dr. Michael Snyder
A potential diet supplement administered through injections or oral drops, 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 or drops 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. HCG drops avoid the inconveniences of a daily injection, but no clinical studies have been conducted to determine if hCG drops have any change in side effects.
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 or drops
- Weight loss is temporary
- Side effects can be very serious. According to the Mayo Clinic, side affects associated with hCG include fatigue, irritability, headache and male breast enlargement.
INGREDIENTS
hCG injections and drops contain the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin.
ADMINISTRATION
An injection of 125 iu of hCG is administered daily or a daily dose of oral drops.
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 either hormone injections or oral drops 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
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Calorie Restriction Diet , The Pregnancy Diet, Apple Cider Vinegar Diet, hCG Ultra Diet Drops, Your HCG, HCG Diet Made Simple, HCG Easy Gourmet Diet Cookbook, HCG Guide, HCG Safe Start Method
User Feedback
(Page 3 of 24, 471 total comments)Beverly
I get my drops from hcg-drops-direct.com, in Canada. They come from the States. I'm on day 29 of my first round and have lost 22 lbs. I've never had an issues with feeling ill or hungry. By far the best diet I've even been on.
posted Feb 10th, 2012 10:48 pmDebrah
Where can I get the drops from? Reputable companies only!!!!
posted Feb 10th, 2012 8:46 amphotogirl5
I purchased HCG drops through reset the body.com and I was on it for a few days. I first noticed bleeding in the toilet like I'd never seen before and frankly, it really scared me. A few days later, I felt a stinging on my calf and developed a huge bruise. I didn't pay much attention and a few days after that, I was riding my bike for like 10 seconds and felt a horrible stinging in both lower legs. I got off and noticed the veins in my lower leg bulging and filling with blood. It was monstrous. I called the doctor and he sent me to the ER. I had scans done and they discovered it was superficial thrombosis and i was to go follow up with my doctor. I saw my doctor a few days later and she was horrified. She said in no way was this varicose veins. She was baffled. I admitted I had been taking this drops and she told me to stop immediately. She said that they are homeopathic which may contain lead and cause bleeding. She said it could have been fatal. She said it was extremely dangerous. I contacted the company and got a refund but they would not settle on my medical bills nor would they tell me what ingredients are in their product. Why not? Beware of this company and product. Not worth risking your life over.
posted Feb 2nd, 2012 6:57 amLorna Howe
Hiya
posted Jan 31st, 2012 2:11 pmI'm in the UK and am looking to buy the diet drops - we cannot get these in the UK at all and need some guidance as to which of the hundreds of sites are proper suppliers.... Or its going to get expensive.
You can inbox me on Facebook - Lorna Howe - or email me and my name in one word at hotmail .co.uk
Jennifer
HCG Drops- Were do you get them? Were did you get your HCG drops from? I am on my fourth day of HCG drops from Fresh Health Nutrition (FHN) and I'm waiting to see if I'm going to loose weight. FHN stated that as of December 6, 2011 FDA prohibitted the sale of the actual HCG, so the HCG drops no longer have the actual hormone. They said it is now lab created to be just like the hormone. I'm wondering if it still works. @ VLE- Were did you get yours?
VLE
Ph 1 day 17 of vlcd and hcg prescription injections. Doing GREAT...-16pds w/no side effects! I am hypthyroid and finally loosng weight! No hunger despite my avg of 500-650 Cal per day and feeling good. Prescription and medical supervised is the way to go.
posted Jan 23rd, 2012 4:05 amalbert
I have just completed 7 days on this diet, no side effects, and have lost 6 kilos ( just under a stone), bought from the states. Highly recommended .
posted Jan 16th, 2012 8:56 ammelaine rose
i on the deit for 8 days and i have lost 9lb
posted Jan 15th, 2012 2:46 pmi did not like myself for the longest time because of my wight so far i am back in love with me try it what do u have to lose but the weight how i see it the days will come and go and u will still have the weight atleast with this the day will carry with it at least a pound or two with it .
Melissa
Where are you buying your hcg from? Specific websites please. Along with success stories can you please site from what website you guys have purchased from? I'm trying to buy some but don't want to be ripped off and end up with a fake version.
posted Jan 11th, 2012 12:49 amkathleen
My partner, his wife and I each loss in excess of 20 pounds on 26 days of hcg diet. They used a different brand of drops than I. This diet taught all of us SO MUCH about food and weight. I had no cravings, broke a 30 year diet soda addiction and,after a three week break, will do one last stint. This DIET is the REAL Thing, and anyone who is serious about losing weight should do it and forget all of the other diets out htere.
posted Jan 7th, 2012 11:08 pmcheryl
never stop taking your thyroid pills"EVER!!!!!!! you will get doble the side effects of taking the hcg. just vecause somethings working fr you doesntt mean its gonna work forever.not taking your thyroid meds can cause you to sip into a coma and maybe even die.do you wnat that after youve lost all that weight.yeah didnt think so
posted Dec 29th, 2011 2:49 pmSkyla
Love this diet! I have seen so many wrong comments and reviews about this diet on the web. In my first round (40days) I lost 20 pounds and my Hubby lost 30. We are now 20 days into round 2 and I have lost 15 and him 20. We are not huge people. Him at 210 and over 6 foot and me at 145 and 5'4. This diet if done correctly works quickly and is fail proof. We take the drops, and have never been hungry. I would recommend this diet to anyone that has will power that last 40 days and has 20+ pounds to loss.
posted Dec 20th, 2011 9:10 pmAlso after the first round we went back to eating how we had before and did not gain any weight back. I stayed at 152 and he stayed at 225. 7 months later!
I have before and after pictures, recipes and HCG info on my blog.
Monica
i love this diet could never lose a pound after having my son, i'm on day 4 and i have lost 7 pounds!! its amazing i seriously love it! Just have to stick to it and not tempt yourself also you dont get hungry!
posted Dec 9th, 2011 2:38 ammaks
Who ever bashes this diet is.f****** stupid i dont give a s*** if ur the president of medical diet universe and dont like the diet its a fact u loose unwanted fat i lost 30 pounds on it in 30 days injections but drops work too if u get right ones my old man lost 20 pounds on hcg 1234 drops his friend lost 15 in like 2 weeks hmm sounds like a coincidence not haha to all the people that want to try it do it ull love it but u need willpower and 2 those that say eat less and exercise is a good thing but ur not guranteed weight loss so when someone puts seeds of doubt follow ur gut its not for everyone this diet and by the way dietitians will loose thierjobs if everyone is healthy and thin same with fitness trainers and doctors. Peace
posted Dec 8th, 2011 4:48 pmAmy Gurley
Dennis, Poison? Seriously? It's a hormone naturally made by our bodies. (Well, the female ones anyway). But the point is, and I can tell you know nothing about which you're speaking, is that if you restrict yourself to 500 calories w/o the diet, not only will you be starving and your body will find it hard to function, but your body will automatically start eating your MUSCLE to compensate for the loss. Take the real hCG and use ketone sticks to prove that you're burning abnormal fat. You're not hungry, which means your body isn't craving nutrients. Because it's getting it from SOMEWHERE and it's your fat! Geezus, don't diss something you know nothing about.
posted Dec 8th, 2011 3:15 pmAmy Gurley
Becky, The real hCG can not be sold in this country without a prescription. ANYTHING that says "hcg" that u can buy here is homeopathic, meaning they've taken it all out. The real stuff is freeze-dried in small vials (never pre-mixed as it goes bad quickly) and you have to order it out of country.
posted Dec 8th, 2011 3:08 pmAmy
Becky, The real hCG can not be sold in this country without a prescription. ANYTHING that says "hcg" that u can buy here is homeopathic, meaning they've taken it all out. The real stuff is freeze-dried in small vials (never pre-mixed as it goes bad quickly) and you have to order it out of country.
posted Dec 8th, 2011 3:07 pmBecky
Hi Nikki, I would like to know...how would you know the REAL HCG drops before ordering on line....Could you post a picture please.
posted Dec 2nd, 2011 7:35 pmThanks
Becky
lena
I have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) I have been struggling with my weight for the past 12yrs and decided to give this drops. I'm on day 4 and have lost 3 pounds so far do i have to stop taking my thyroid pills iron pills
posted Dec 1st, 2011 2:34 pmvitamin D?any info
thanks
Nikki
I lost 10 lbs in 4 days on it. I am a personal trainer so I was already in shape. I felt I didn't need to lose anymore weight so I stopped the drops but my husband still takes them. He has lost 30 lbs so far since Halloween when he started. Its an amazing product. Just don't be fooled by knock off versions! When purchasing use pregnancy test to validate drops. If test shows up positive when drops hit them, HCG hormone is present. If test comes out negative, don't waste your $.
posted Nov 21st, 2011 9:33 pm