People who want to lose weight fast are drawn to the quick fix, even when there’s no substantial evidence that it works. That seems to be the case for the HCG diet as well, considered harmful by most nutrition experts. Find out how the HCG diet for weight loss is supposed to work.
What is HCG?
Human Chrorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. Dr. Albert T. Simeons, a British endocrinologist, created the diet in the 1950s, based on little empirical evidence. In theory, the hormone may break down abdominal fat in the course of the pregnancy, so it could also be used as a weight-loss aid outside of it and has been used as part of this controversial diet.
Evolution of the HCG Diet
Dr Simeon’s original HCG diet protocol included daily HCG injections (except during menstruation), along with a huge calorie restriction: only 500 per day, which varies between 1/3 and 1/4 of the daily recommended calorie intake.
HCG injections for weight loss became popular after Kevin Trudeau published a book on the subject in 2020, titled “The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About”. Along with having no medical training, Trudeau has been repeatedly fined by the FTC for infomercials that promise results with no substantiation, but the allure of a wonder diet has made a lot people give the HCG diet a chance.
Do HCG Injections for Weight Loss Work?
Numerous studies in the 1980s and 1990s have shown that the HCG injections for weight loss have no effect. The comparison between a group injected with the hormone and following the diet and one that’s simply restricted to the diet has repeatedly shown no difference in weight loss.
Nutritionists have compared the HCG diet to starvation. Even if the diet plan includes organic and unprocessed foods, the daily 500 calorie limit can cause serious health risks when followed for the recommended 45 days.
Is the HCG Diet Dangerous?
Whether it’s a 30 day or 45 day plan, the HCG diet, along with injections or serum drops that should be taken orally, under the tongue, had been deemed dangerous since the body doesn’t get enough nutrients to function properly.
The FDA and FTC have not approved any HCG diet for weight loss products and they’ve also warned that some companies continue to sell the synthetic hormone as a homeopathic solution for weight loss.
If you’ve decided to try HCG injections for weight loss, keep in mind that starvation-like diets are dangerous for your health.
