The HCG diet couples a 500-calorie per day diet with a hormone to help adherents lose weight. But is it safe? In this video, Dr. Oz reveals if the diet plan is really safe -- and if it really works.
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. While it is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it is present in both genders. HCG signals the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that affects metabolism) to break down ingested fats into simpler compounds that can be used by the cells of the body. In pregnancy, this helps the body bring nutrients into the placenta, fueling the fetus with the energy to grow. The HCG diet—a daily ration of 500 calories plus injections of the hormone—promises to help you lose from 1 to 3 pounds per day.
Eating only 500 calories per day is severely restrictive. In fact, 500 calories per day are not enough to support normal brain function. Your body will compensate by using stores of glycogen (stored carbohydrates), protein (muscle), and some fat, which in fact lowers your resting metabolism. You may lose weight initially, but you won’t be able to keep it off. The body is a pretty efficient machine, and in an effort to save your life, it will react to starvation mode by shutting down and converting whatever little food you do consume into fat.
Then there’s the question of how long you can stand to be on such a diet, and in the meantime you will be so irritable, lightheaded, and cranky that at any given moment you’ll be at risk of snapping, reaching for whatever food you can get your hands on, and having a field day. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you manage to grin and bear the diet. Is the weight loss sustainable?
Sustainable weight loss is achieved through sensible, balanced eating and moderate exercise based on our individual daily requirements. Our bodies (specifically, our metabolisms) are not designed for the on again, off again, abusive behavior of caloric restriction and subsequent bingeing. As we have saw in the paragraphs above, we cannot outsmart the wisdom of our bodies. As long as we continue starving and bingeing and not expending the calories in the food we consume in a recurring way, we leave the body with no alternative but to pile up the unburned food reserves, leading to the endless cycle of weight gain, weight, loss, weight gain, weight loss.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by pregnant women and is prescribed as a fertility drug. For over 3 decades, HCG injections along with a severely calorie restricted diet (500 kcal/day) has been used as an extreme weight loss strategy. Proponents of the diet claim that HCG increases the usage of stored fat, suppresses appetite, and allows a more favorable distribution of fat around the waist, hip and thighs.
However, this severe calorie restriction is not safe and will not likely enable long-term maintenance of a healthy weight. It is generally recommended by health professionals to reduce calories only by 500-1000 calories/day in order to lose about 1-2 lbs per week. Severe calorie restriction will not provide the adequate amount of amino acids needed to preserve lean body mass. Also, no current evidence exists to prove that the HCG diet is an effective weight loss tool or that HCG provides any added benefit. Of course one will lose weight when severely restricting calories, but it is not sustainable or healthy. Additionally, there is no research into the safety of injecting HCG in the overweight or obese individual.
When something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. There are many claims that using HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone which is made by the placenta in pregnant women, will help with weight loss. The evidence has not shown this to be the case.
The weight loss claim has been marketed since the 1950's but controlled studies have shown that HCG works as a placebo only, when used in this regard. Injectable HCG has been approved for the treatment of infertility in both women and men. However, some physicians are prescribing HCG oral drops and sprays for the purpose of weight loss. This hormone is being combined with a 500 to 800 calorie diet to acheive this weight loss. This is too restrictive and is not nutritionally sufficient to support healthy brain function.
The use of HCG for weight loss is not supported by scientific research. The product may contain contaminants and there is a risk of infection with any injectable. The common side affects of HCG include headaches, mood swings, blood clots, depression, and dizziness.
Since 1975 the FDA has required all marketing materials for HCG to include the statement, "HCG has not been demonstrated to be an effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from calorie restriction".
The only plan for weight loss should be a healthy food intake control and a planned exercise routine. This will provide long term results.
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. HCG signals the hypothalamus (area of the brain that affects metabolism) to mobilize fat stores. In pregnancy, this helps the body bring nutrients into the placenta, fueling the fetus with the energy to grow. There is no scientific data to support HCG’s ability to facilitate weight loss. This diet’s exceptionally restrictive calorie allowance (500 kcal – about ¼ of what a healthy woman would eat in one day) is responsible for the rapid weight loss promoted by the diet’s marketing claims.
Unfortunately, because of the exceptionally restrictive nature of the diet, it does not teach long-term life style change and the anecdotal reports of regain are discouraging at best. Additionally, there are significant medical side effects from the administration of HCG that should be strongly considered.
“The hCG diet combines extreme calorie restriction with daily shots of a hormone produced by pregnant women called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)” said By Pieter Cohen, MD.
Will you lose weight?
Yes, if you don’t eat, skip meal or reduce your calorie to the extreme, you’ll lose weight. HCG restrict you calories to only 500 calories a day, it’s possible to lose 5 or more pounds a week.
Why Doctors don’t recommend it!
Such calorie restriction diets are shown to cause you to regain the weight back after the diet ends. This diet is also very unsafe and many will develop health problems like hair loss, constipation and gallstones.
For a health method of weight loss go to www.weight-loss-plans-4-you.com
2. For those patients I have seen on this type of diet - there isn't the appropriate loss of body fat vs. lean muscle mass as suggested by those that support its use.
3. Severely restricted calorie diets can be harmful and should be monitored very closely by a physician - unfortunately most people on this type of diet are not having this appropriate level of care.
Nutritional Medicine specialist Dr. Sheri Emma discusses whether or not injecting HCG for dieting is safe. Watch Dr. Emma's video for information on the HCG diet and overall nutritional health.
Continue Learning about Weight Loss Diets
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.