HCG Diet- thoughts, opinions?

Last time my HCG levels were checked, I had 124,000 mIU/ml. $100 per cup! Don't let it go to waste!

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On a more serious note, there have been dozens of scientific and medical studies done on HCG all showing that it DOES NOT WORK and is a scam. The weight loss comes from the restrictive VLCD (very low calorie diet) that patients are told to stick to, not the HCG injections, drops, etc.

Several of those studies are cited here: http://www.dietscam.org/reports/hcg.shtml and more can be found my browsing PubMed.com for peer-reviewed scientific and medical information.

Also, those of you who are taking HCG should note that the FDA has banned over-the-counter sales of HCG, so whatever drops you are taking, it's not real HCG unless you purchased it illegally and smuggled it into the US yourself. HCG injections are also not FDA-approved for obesity or weight management, and the FDA released this statement about it:

"These weight reduction treatments include the injection of HcG, a drug which has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective in the treatment of obesity or weight control. There is no substantial evidence that HcG 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-restrictive diets."

Furthermore, a meta-analysis was done by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians which stated the following:

"There is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity. The meta-analysis found insufficient evidence supporting the claims that HCG is effective in altering fat-distribution, hunger reduction or in inducing a feeling of well-being. The authors stated “…the use of HCG should be regarded as an inappropriate therapy for weight reduction…” In the authors opinion, “Pharmacists and physicians should be alert on the use of HCG for Simeons therapy. The results of this meta-analysis support a firm standpoint against this improper indication. Restraints on physicians practicing this therapy can be based on our findings.”"

I've only heard one health fanatic (money hungry) chiropractor tell me to do this diet. I've never heard any real doctor recommend this. I would think you would lose the weight... but, then when you stop it, you'd gain it all back. The best way is to do it by counting calories (no less than 1200 a day) and exercising. You need the nutrients from the right kinds of food to give your body energy. HCG just does not do that.

Im doing releana right now, which is like HCG. I am about done, what work out did yall do? What was your diet like after?

I have had two people very close to be do it... one had a good experience and one had a bad experience (in my opinion, I'm sure he wouldn't say so).

Person 1 - She was what I would call thin anyway, but just wanted to lose that last 5 lbs did HCG to do it... and kept those 5 lbs off. She already had good eating habits and exercise habits developed, so it was just that extra push she needed.

Person 2 - He was 280 lbs, ate whatever he wanted, as much as he wanted, never worked out. He started taking HCG, working out, and eating the 500 calories a day.... and of course, lost weight. He lost 110 lbs and got down to 170. Then he stopped, and went back to his old habits... and gained about 60 lbs back. He went on HCG again... got back down to 180. Went back to eating his old ways, again, back to 230, HCG, 180, old habits, 230, HCG, 180..... You get the picture. This cycle has been going on for 3 years. That is NOT good for your body. So my problem with HCG is that it doesn't teach you how to eat right and take care of your body. IF you CAN do that, then it's your choice to do it or not... but this yo-yoing thing my friend does is quite possibly the worst thing ever for you.

I have to admit...that's what I did to get my diet a jumpstart - lost 20..and have kept if off eating healthy and working out!!!!

Save your money and starve yourself on 500 calories a day all by yourself.
Then when you gain your weight back, try the next fad diet and see how that one works.

You are really pretty too.

I really like your hair.

Thank you. Yours is nice too.....Does it smell good?

I work in an ER, I've seen patients come in vomitting their brains out... go to find out they're on the HCG diet. SKIP IT

Dear Posters,

MyFitnessPal strongly recommends that our users follow the calorie guidelines automatically assigned by our site, unless they are under the direct supervision of a doctor. We are currently reviewing the medical literature on the HCG/500 calorie diet and reserve the right to moderate against discussions of this diet at any time in the future.

Thank you all for your concern. We're definitely looking closely at this issue.

CatCrazy
MyFitnessPal Forum Moderator