The quest for effective weight loss solutions has led many individuals to explore various diets and products, some of which promise rapid results but may pose significant health risks. Among these, the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) diet has garnered attention and controversy. This article delves into the effectiveness and safety of the HCG diet, its legal implications, and the scientific consensus surrounding its use for weight loss.
What is HCG?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy, playing a crucial role in supporting the normal development of an egg in a woman’s ovary and stimulating the release of the egg during ovulation. It is also used to cause ovulation and to treat infertility in women, and to increase sperm count in men. Additionally, HCG is used in young boys when their testicles have not dropped down into the scrotum normally, a condition that can be caused by a pituitary gland disorder.
The HCG Diet: An Overview
The HCG diet typically involves the administration of HCG, often through oral drops, pellets, or injections, in conjunction with a severely restrictive very low-calorie diet (VLCD), usually limiting calorie intake to around 500 calories per day. Proponents of the diet claim that HCG can "reset your metabolism," change "abnormal eating patterns," and lead to rapid weight loss, with some advertisements suggesting a loss of 20 to 30 pounds in 30 to 40 days.
The HCG diet has three phases:
- Loading phase: You eat high-calorie, high-fat foods to rev up your metabolism and get your body ready for weight loss. At the same time, you take HCG through an injection, tablet, or other form. This phase usually lasts three to six weeks.
- Weight loss phase: You drastically reduce your calorie intake and continue taking HCG.
- Maintenance phase: You stop taking HCG and eat a well-balanced diet and exercise. The goal in this phase is to stick to your new eating habits and maintain weight loss long-term.
During the weight loss phase, the diet allows for two meals a day: lunch and dinner. Each meal has to include one protein, one vegetable, one bread, and one fruit. Acceptable protein sources include lean options like veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp, prepared without visible fat. Vegetable choices include spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, and cabbage. Bread can be one breadstick or one piece of melba toast, and fruit options include an orange, an apple, a handful of strawberries, or half a grapefruit. Water, coffee, and tea are permitted in unlimited quantities, with up to 1 tablespoon of milk per day. Sugar substitutes are allowed, but butter and oils are prohibited.
Read also: Implementing the AIP Diet
Is HCG Approved for Weight Loss?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HCG as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility and for other medical conditions. However, it is crucial to note that HCG is not approved for weight loss. The FDA has taken a firm stance against the use of HCG for weight loss, considering it fraudulent and requiring labels for HCG products to state that HCG has no known effect on fat mobilization, appetite, or sense of hunger, or body fat distribution.
The prescription drug label explicitly states that "there is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets."
The Reality of Weight Loss on the HCG Diet
Despite the claims made by marketers of HCG products, the weight loss observed by individuals on the HCG diet is primarily attributed to the severe calorie restriction imposed by the diet, rather than the HCG itself. As Carolyn Becker, director of the Office of Unapproved Drugs and Labeling Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, explains, "These products are marketed with incredible claims, and people think that if they're losing weight, HCG must be working. But the data simply do not support this; any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from the HCG."
Dangers of Very Low-Calorie Diets
Living on 500 calories a day is not only challenging but also potentially dangerous. Such restrictive diets can lead to various health complications, including:
- Gallstone formation: Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of developing gallstones.
- Electrolyte imbalance: Restrictive diets can disrupt the balance of electrolytes, which are essential for proper muscle and nerve function.
- Irregular heartbeat: Electrolyte imbalances can lead to potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Without careful medical supervision, individuals on very low-calorie diets may not receive adequate amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and protein.
While very low-calorie diets are sometimes prescribed by healthcare professionals for individuals with moderate to extreme obesity as part of a medical treatment plan, these diets require strict and constant medical supervision to mitigate the risk of life-threatening side effects.
Read also: Navigating Risks on the Bean Diet
Methods of Taking HCG and Their Limitations
HCG is available in various forms, including drops, tablets, and injections. However, the effectiveness and safety of these methods vary significantly.
- HCG drops: HCG is sold as drops to be absorbed “under the tongue” or sublingually. However, due to HCG’s large molecular weight (approximately 30,000 daltons), it cannot be effectively absorbed orally. Even if the drops did contain HCG, the protein molecule would be broken down into small peptides and amino acids by gastric acid in the stomach, rendering it biologically inactive.
- HCG injections: HCG can be administered by injection by a licensed physician under "off-label" use. However, this method is not risk-free. It can increase the chances of multiple pregnancies and may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), especially after the first treatment cycle. HCG injections are also contraindicated in individuals at risk for hormone-related cancers.
- Homeopathic HCG: Homeopathic HCG products are based on the belief that disease symptoms can be cured by small doses of substances that produce similar symptoms in healthy people. However, all HCG drop formulations are inert due to their high molecular weight, and it is impossible for a small dose or segment of a hormone to cause any biological action.
Expert Opinions on HCG for Weight Loss
Various organizations, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, have expressed their skepticism regarding the use of HCG for weight loss.
- FDA: The FDA considers the use of HCG for weight loss to be fraudulent and requires labels for HCG products to state that HCG has no known effect on fat mobilization, appetite, or sense of hunger, or body fat distribution.
- FTC: In 1976, the Federal Trade Commission ordered the Simeon Management Corporation and other related entities to inform patients in writing that HCG has not been approved by the FDA as safe and effective for weight loss and that there is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.
- American Society of Bariatric Physicians: In 2009, the American Society of Bariatric Physicians issued a position statement stating that numerous clinical trials have shown HCG to be ineffectual in producing weight loss.
Scientific Studies on HCG and Weight Loss
A meta-analysis of eight controlled and 16 uncontrolled trials that measured the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity concluded that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity. The analysis found that HCG does not bring about weight loss or fat redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of HCG
In addition to the risks associated with very low-calorie diets, HCG injections can cause a range of side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Mood changes
- Acne
- Facial hair growth
- Headache
- Swelling of the breasts, penis, or testes
- Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach
- Pelvic pain
- Bloating
Legal Issues and Lawsuits
The HCG diet has faced legal scrutiny due to false advertising and misleading claims. In 1976, the FDA declared that HCG was ineffective for weight loss and issued regulations prohibiting its sale for this purpose. In recent years, several lawsuits have been filed against individuals and businesses marketing HCG for weight loss, alleging deceptive advertising, failure to disclose potential risks, and violations of FDA regulations.
Read also: Your 30-Day Weight Loss Journey Starts Here
Safer Alternatives for Weight Loss
If weight loss is your goal, it is essential to choose safer and more sustainable methods. The FDA warns against using HCG weight-loss products, and there's no proof that HCG weight-loss products alone help you lose weight. Any weight loss likely comes from getting very few calories as part of the HCG diet. Talk with your healthcare professional about making healthy changes that lead to lasting weight loss. Some general sensible ways to lose weight, including eating a balanced diet and exercising.
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