HCG diet: Safety, effectiveness, and its functioning explored
In the realm of weight loss diets, the HCG diet has been a topic of debate for decades. Originally popularised in the 1950s, the diet combines HCG hormone injections with a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) for weight loss. However, recent research and expert analysis indicate that the HCG diet may not be the safe and effective weight loss solution it claims to be.
The HCG diet, which involves a severe calorie restriction of around 500 calories per day, can lead to a host of adverse effects. These include malnutrition, low mood, irregular heartbeat, gallstones, muscle loss, electrolyte imbalance, and more. The diet is also known to damage thyroid function and metabolism, leading to hormonal imbalances that may cause weight gain once the diet is stopped, making the weight loss unsustainable and potentially worsening hormonal problems related to obesity.
It's important to note that the weight loss seen on the HCG diet is primarily due to the severe calorie restriction rather than the hormone itself. When normal eating resumes, weight is usually regained, often with additional metabolic harm.
When used appropriately as a hormone therapy (HCG injections without the extreme calorie restriction of the classic diet), HCG may help improve thyroid hormone levels and support weight loss as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, this is different from the HCG diet and requires medical supervision.
Reliable clinical studies and expert organizations emphasise that the HCG diet is unsafe and ineffective, and weight management should focus on balanced nutrition and addressing hormonal/metabolic health rather than extreme diets involving HCG injections.
The FDA has not approved HCG for over-the-counter sale or for weight loss purposes, and they advise against using it for this purpose. The use of HCG can cause potential side effects such as mood changes, fluid buildup, enlarged breasts in males, blood clots, and more.
In the United States, it is illegal for companies to sell over-the-counter products containing HCG, including homeopathic HCG products. The HCG diet involves the use of HCG hormone supplements or injections and a very low calorie diet for weight loss.
It is essential that people only follow a VLCD under proper medical supervision. People should seek advice from a doctor or dietitian before following a very low calorie diet or using HCG supplements for weight loss.
Despite some doctors prescribing HCG for unapproved weight loss purposes, there is no evidence to suggest that this is effective, and it may cause several adverse reactions. HCG is a prescription-only drug in the U.S., and it is FDA-approved for treating female infertility and male hormone issues, but not for weight loss.
HCG is a hormone produced by the female body during pregnancy to aid fetal development, and doctors sometimes prescribe it for treating fertility issues and hormone problems. However, using it for weight loss purposes is not supported by scientific evidence.
In conclusion, the HCG diet lacks scientific support for safe and effective weight loss, and it poses risks to thyroid and metabolic health. The hormone HCG, when used properly in a medical context, might aid weight loss, but the extreme calorie restriction combined with HCG injections ("HCG diet") is not recommended. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on any weight loss journey.
- Other nutrition approaches and maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition are emphasized as safer and more effective methods compared to the HCG diet.
- The HCG diet is not approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes and its usage can cause potential side effects such as mood changes, fluid buildup, and blood clots.
- The use of HCG supplements or injections for weight loss should only be done under proper medical supervision due to potential risks to thyroid and metabolic health.
- It is crucial that people seek advice from a doctor or dietitian before following a very low calorie diet or using HCG supplements for weight loss.
- In the United States, it is illegal to sell over-the-counter products containing HCG, including homeopathic HCG products, for weight loss purposes.
- HCG, a hormone typically produced by the female body during pregnancy, is not an approved or proven method for weight loss, and its usage in this context lacks scientific support.
