What is the HCG diet?

BeautyFromPain

Everyone always complains about it but I have no idea what it is?

Don't worry... NO WAY am i trying any diet myself just curious as to what all the fuss is about?

thankyou4thevenom

It's the belief that pee from pregnant women can make you lose weight (not the 500 cal a day diet they put you on).

billsica

Its not a belief, its a fact.
You can get the cheep stuff that has no HGC in it, or get the good stuff that has genuine knocked up lady pee.

You need to eat 500 calories, or or your fat cells will open up and just go crazy absorbing everything like in that movie. Akira.

kmbrooks15

Here we go again...everybody grab your popcorn!

Sorry, I don't mean to be snarky...it's just that every time this topic comes up, it becomes a very, shall we say, HEATED discussion.

HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin (Think I spelled that right). This is the hormone secreted by pregnant women (the same hormone detected by home pregnancy tests). The HCG diet uses synthesized HCG, administered by either drops under the tongue or injections by a doctor. The person then eats only selected foods to the tune of 500 calories a day. People who have done this swear that the HCG helps them not be hungry and have lots of energy.

The reasons the majority of us are against this diet are:
1. Very low calorie diets are dangerous. The body needs a minimum of 1200 calories per day (more for men) just to function.
2. It's unsustainable. Even someone who manages to pull this off for the 3 weeks that you do it can't stay on it forever.
3. The FDA has NOT approved this as a weight loss tool. Studies have also shown that HCG has no impact on your weight; it's the 500 calories a day that causes you to lose.
4. Some people have had VERY bad side effects from doing it. There have been reports of people losing hair (to the point of looking like a cancer patient on chemo), messing their digestive systems, etc.
5. There are very few reports of people who do this diet and KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF.

I'm glad you're not considering it. If you know anyone who is, warn them. It's so much safer to do what MFP suggests and make lifestyle changes in the way you eat and get some exercise.

Be prepared...you may get some really ugly comments...just ignore them. At least you were just asking out of curiosity, but some will just see that you asked and go on the attack!

BSero1982

Are you fricking serious?!

billsica

Why do you hate?

SueGremlin

That sounds incredibly stupid.

Thomasm198

:huh:

If this is a genuine question.

It's snake oil made from urine of pregnant women. The cult followers are convinced it's the piss that helps them lose weight and not the fact that they're barely eating enough to keep a mouse alive.

terihcg

It really does work.. I have lost 50 lbs on hcg and have maintained my new body for going on a year.. even the good old Dr.Oz is now doing his own clinical trials on the hcg protocol..no one can do a 500 calorie diet without hcg..you will go into starvation mode..I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud..if someone really wants info,then research it.. there are hcg clinics opening everywhere , and YouTube and Facebook has a whole YouTube community out there..

SueGremlin

It really does work.. I have lost 50 lbs on hcg and have maintained my new body for going on a year.. even the good old Dr.Oz is now doing his own clinical trials on the hcg protocol..no one can do a 500 calorie diet without hcg..you will go into starvation mode..I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud..if someone really wants info,then research it.. there are hcg clinics opening everywhere , and YouTube and Facebook has a whole YouTube community out there..

Sounds like you were suckered into spending money on something that you would have had the same success without. It's your prerogative, your body and your money.
You said the magic word: Dr. Oz. That makes it even less credible.

mmuzzatti

It really does work.. I have lost 50 lbs on hcg and have maintained my new body for going on a year.. even the good old Dr.Oz is now doing his own clinical trials on the hcg protocol..no one can do a 500 calorie diet without hcg..you will go into starvation mode..I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud..if someone really wants info,then research it.. there are hcg clinics opening everywhere , and YouTube and Facebook has a whole YouTube community out there..

Is that why your eyes are so buggy? Then why are you here? To promote it for your doctor friend so money can be spent on this piss! Give it a rest! The OP asked a good question but yes you trolls come out and want to promote it! Getthe****outahere!

deathstarclock

It really does work.. I have lost 50 lbs on hcg and have maintained my new body for going on a year.. even the good old Dr.Oz is now doing his own clinical trials on the hcg protocol..no one can do a 500 calorie diet without hcg..you will go into starvation mode..I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud..if someone really wants info,then research it.. there are hcg clinics opening everywhere , and YouTube and Facebook has a whole YouTube community out there..

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!! You're so fake, you're sole purpose for being on this website is to promote it.

Thomasm198

It really does work.. I have lost 50 lbs on hcg and have maintained my new body for going on a year.. even the good old Dr.Oz is now doing his own clinical trials on the hcg protocol..no one can do a 500 calorie diet without hcg..you will go into starvation mode..I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud..if someone really wants info,then research it.. there are hcg clinics opening everywhere , and YouTube and Facebook has a whole YouTube community out there..

Very reliable sources of information: Youtube and Facebook. :flowerforyou:

kmbrooks15

While I know we all disagree with the use of the HCG diet, let's remember that it is Terihcg's right to use it if she chooses. We may not agree with it, but it's her body. I'd love to see just one thread not disintegrate into personal attacks.

Terihcg, I may not agree with your choice to use HCG, but I am glad you've had success. You seem to be one of the few that has kept it off. I guess that's my biggest issue is that so many that do it gain the weight back, so they are right back where they started minus several hundred or possibly several thousand dollars.

Good luck with your last few pounds!

Scoobies87

This is without doubt, the most ridiculous, idiotic thing I have ever heard. When are people going to get it through their skulls that losing weight really is as simple as eating healthier and exercise??!!

I have hardly had to change my eating habits to lose weight. I just cut out the alcohol and crap. WOW shocking I know. No magic pill, no drinking pee etc.

What next, eating the faeces of a sheep?

This is not aimed at anyone in particular by the way, not unless you are silly enough to try this.

i_love_vinegar

While I know we all disagree with the use of the HCG diet, let's remember that it is Terihcg's right to use it if she chooses. We may not agree with it, but it's her body. I'd love to see just one thread not disintegrate into personal attacks.

Terihcg, I may not agree with your choice to use HCG, but I am glad you've had success. You seem to be one of the few that has kept it off. I guess that's my biggest issue is that so many that do it gain the weight back, so they are right back where they started minus several hundred or possibly several thousand dollars.

Good luck with your last few pounds!

Very well and kindly put! I completely agree with this comment

kmbrooks15

While I know we all disagree with the use of the HCG diet, let's remember that it is Terihcg's right to use it if she chooses. We may not agree with it, but it's her body. I'd love to see just one thread not disintegrate into personal attacks.

Terihcg, I may not agree with your choice to use HCG, but I am glad you've had success. You seem to be one of the few that has kept it off. I guess that's my biggest issue is that so many that do it gain the weight back, so they are right back where they started minus several hundred or possibly several thousand dollars.

Good luck with your last few pounds!

Very well and kindly put! I completely agree with this comment

Thanks...I just get so tired of people sharing an opinion and getting attacked for it. You can disagree without being nasty. The snarkiness is not going to convince the other person to your opinion, so why go there?

Sh1tsRainbows

OP...just a thought...GOOGLE IT!!!!!

cobracars

What next, eating the faeces of a sheep?

There's a small island off the coast of Greece where they've known about this secret to health and fitness for centuries. Its clinically proven and I even saw a guy in a white lab coat who says he's a physician verify the results. The big drug companies don't want you to know and the FDA has been paid off to keep it a secret from the public. Money back guarantee! If you order now we'll DOUBLE your order! That's a $1000 value for only $19.95! If you become a distributor you can get your product free! Just sign up 10 friends..and if each of them sign up 10 friends you can become a REGIONAL distributor. We'll even give you a free sheep-dip colored car to drive around for freeeeeeee !!!!!!
But hurry, because the world is going to end on 12/12/2012 !!!!

skylark94

This is without doubt, the most ridiculous, idiotic thing I have ever heard. When are people going to get it through their skulls that losing weight really is as simple as eating healthier and exercise??!!

I have hardly had to change my eating habits to lose weight. I just cut out the alcohol and crap. WOW shocking I know. No magic pill, no drinking pee etc.

What next, eating the faeces of a sheep?

This is not aimed at anyone in particular by the way, not unless you are silly enough to try this.

I've got a friend who is doing hcg right now. She's working out when she has the energy, living on tiny portions of meat and a ton of veggies, can not have any alcohol, and is giving herself injections. She's miserable, but losing about 2 pounds a week. She swears that what she is doing will work because it's "doctor prescribed".

I am eating 1500-1700 calories of whatever I want every day, exercising daily, having the occasional drink, and also losing 2 pounds a week, but I simply can not convince her that what she is doing to herself is unnecessary. It's sad.

PearlMarie_3gen_11484

Human chorionic gonadotropin or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced during pregnancy that is made by the developing embryo after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast (part of the placenta). Some tumors make this hormone, measured elevated levels when the patient is not pregnant can lead to a cancer diagnosis. However, it is not known whether this production is a contributing cause or an effect of tumorigenesis. The pituitary analog of hCG, known as luteinizing hormone (LH), is produced in the pituitary gland of males and females of all ages. Since the mid-20th century, hCG has been promoted as a supplement to combat weight loss, though there has been no proof that it is effective or safe.

shellbell525

While I know we all disagree with the use of the HCG diet, let's remember that it is Terihcg's right to use it if she chooses. We may not agree with it, but it's her body. I'd love to see just one thread not disintegrate into personal attacks.

Terihcg, I may not agree with your choice to use HCG, but I am glad you've had success. You seem to be one of the few that has kept it off. I guess that's my biggest issue is that so many that do it gain the weight back, so they are right back where they started minus several hundred or possibly several thousand dollars.

Good luck with your last few pounds!

Agreed

maidentl

I really love how people that have done no research on this diet , are so quick to run it through the mud.

I really love how someone who has no idea how much research I have done assumes I haven't done any.

Gigi_licious

Itsh sutpied

maidentl

Itsh sutpied

LOL. You need to put down the wine glass! :laugh:

_Timmeh_

Reminds me of TrimSpa, well until Anna Nicole Smith died.

GrandmaRedx3

I appreciate your candidness and identify with your concerns. I had the same concerns when I was approached about HCG as well. My biggest recommendation would be to read "Pounds and Inches" by Dr. Simeons. It has been around for 50 years and is scientifically proven (yes there are studies). It is true, if you are looking at two groups (HCG group and Placebo group) of which both are using 500 calories only, they will loose almost the identical weight. The difference is the HCG group will not feel fatigued, dizzy, tired, or hungry. They will only have lost stored fat, not muscle or structural fat. The proof is in the ability to maintain your loss in the long run, I agree! You can gain the weight back with any diet. You can eat your way out of a gastric bypass surgery too. It is about making life style changes to maintain the loss. This diet will teach you about your body and the foods that trigger weight gain or cravings. The 500 calorie diet (which I modify to include exercise) is only ONE part of this diet. It actually has phases. The most important phase is not the diet, but stabilization. There are literally thousands of people out there who are a testament to HCG....I am one of them. I have released 92 pounds and have maintained this loss since starting in February of 2010,

Iamfit4life

I find it suspect this thread has brought out several who literally made their first post ever here in this thread to give love to this crap people are peddling.

maidentl

Yeah, the number of first posts is interesting.

Scoobies87

What next, eating the faeces of a sheep?

There's a small island off the coast of Greece where they've known about this secret to health and fitness for centuries. Its clinically proven and I even saw a guy in a white lab coat who says he's a physician verify the results. The big drug companies don't want you to know and the FDA has been paid off to keep it a secret from the public. Money back guarantee! If you order now we'll DOUBLE your order! That's a $1000 value for only $19.95! If you become a distributor you can get your product free! Just sign up 10 friends..and if each of them sign up 10 friends you can become a REGIONAL distributor. We'll even give you a free sheep-dip colored car to drive around for freeeeeeee !!!!!!
But hurry, because the world is going to end on 12/12/2012 !!!!

:laugh: I MUST try it!

bigdawg025

Oh God... people who are advocates of this thing scare me. I agree to each his/her own... but come on people... look at the facts... 500 calories a day???? I eat more than that in just about EVERY meal of my day, and I have lost weight just fine. This thing is just another "quick fix"... *lazy way out"... etc. People don't want to put the work in that it takes to lose weight, and they want to lose all their weight in one day (yes... exaggeration, but that's the whole concept in the minds of these people... get more bang for doing less or nothing at all.) If you work out at all on a 500 calorie a day diet you are not going to have ANY nourishment to fuel your body.

I can totally understand why a VERY HIGH majority of the poeple here on this site would like to have HCG banned from the forums. It is HIGHLY DANGEROUS to do this to your body, and the effects could be far longer lasting then any perceived "benefits" you get from it.