HCG Diet - What is it?/Does it work long term?

HCG protocol involves using a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet). This is only recommended for the morbidly obese, and is proven to not be effective long-term, as most gain the weight back (if not more).

Here's some info regrading Very Low Calorie Diets...

UCLA (http://rfoweightloss.med.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=32)

"A VLCD is primarily for severely or morbidly obese individuals who must lose or wish to lose large amounts of weight as rapidly as possible in a safe manner. "

National Institutes of Health (http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm)

"VLCDs are designed to produce rapid weight loss at the start of a weight-loss program in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 and significant comorbidities."

"Use of VLCDs in patients with a BMI of 27 to 30 should be reserved for those who have medical conditions due to overweight, such as high blood pressure."

"Many patients on a VLCD for 4 to 16 weeks report minor side effects such as fatigue, constipation, nausea, or diarrhea. These conditions usually improve within a few weeks and rarely prevent patients from completing the program. The most common serious side effect is gallstone formation. Gallstones, which often develop in people who are obese, especially women, are even more common during rapid weight loss. Research indicates that rapid weight loss may increase cholesterol levels in the gallbladder and decrease its ability to contract and expel bile. Some medicines can prevent gallstone formation during rapid weight loss. Your health care provider can determine if these medicines are appropriate for you"

"Studies show that the long-term results of VLCDs vary widely, but weight regain is common."

"In addition, VLCDs may be no more effective than less severe dietary restrictions in the long run. Studies have shown that following a diet of approximately 800 to 1,000 calories produces weight loss similar to that seen with VLCDs."

"For most people who are obese, their condition is long-term and requires a lifetime of attention even after formal weight-loss treatment ends. Therefore, health care providers should encourage patients who are obese to commit to permanent changes of healthier eating, regular physical activity, and an improved outlook about food"

WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/low-calorie-diets)

"Very low-calorie diets are generally safe when used under proper medical supervision in people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. Use of VLCDs in people with a BMI of 27 to 30 should be reserved for those who have medical complications resulting from their obesity."

"To be healthy, we need a balance of foods from different food groups. It's quite difficult to get good nutrition in as few as 800 calories (even a dietitian would have trouble doing this), especially if one eats the same foods day after day."

"Also, once you go off the diet, you will likely regain your weight unless you change your lifestyle and commit to healthy eating, regular physical activity, and an improved outlook about food. By sticking to a long-term commitment, you can prevent your weight from drifting back up the scale."

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MrsCon40/view/hcg-a-handy-reply-to-the-multitude-of-quick-fix-seekers-148860

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone approved by the FDA for use in pre-pubertal boys to help aid normal sexual development, and in women to treat fertility problems. hCG is produced by the placenta and is also found in pregnant women’s urine. It is not approved for weight loss and has never been proven by credible peer reviewed science to cause weight loss.

this diet works, i know first-hand and have also seen results with MANY people i work with.

yes, you are on a VERY LOW CALORIE DIET, but the shots and/or drops help suppress hunger. you dont feel hungry inbetween meals. well, you may the first day or two, but then you dont!

LIFE success depends on you. you WILL lose weight, but just like any other diet out there, if you dont change the way you eat and dont exercise, then yes, of course, it you WILL gain it all back!

this is more of a tool to get people a jump start. seeing results DAILY will give motivation!!

you're pretty much starting to eat right and be more self-conscious of what you eat, all over again, after the diet.

it took me a year to lose 55 pounds with just a healthy diet and exercise (i was commited but not over doin' it). i then hit a plateau where i couldnt lose anymore. i did this diet for 23 days and lost 15 pounds. it gave me the "push" i needed. continue to work out and eat healthy and you WILL lose.

i dont blame the peole who've never tried it to be skeptical, but after seeing it with my own eyes and then WITH MY OWN BODY, i know it works.

good luck!

this diet works, i know first-hand and have also seen results with MANY people i work with.

yes, you are on a VERY LOW CALORIE DIET, but the shots and/or drops help suppress hunger. you dont feel hungry inbetween meals. well, you may the first day or two, but then you dont!

LIFE success depends on you. you WILL lose weight, but just like any other diet out there, if you dont change the way you eat and dont exercise, then yes, of course, it you WILL gain it all back!

this is more of a tool to get people a jump start. seeing results DAILY will give motivation!!

you're pretty much starting to eat right and be more self-conscious of what you eat, all over again.

it took me a year to lose 55 pounds with just a health diet and exercise (i was commited but not over doin' it). i then hit a plateau where i couldnt lose anymore. i did this diet for 23 days and lost 15 pounds. continue to work out and eat healthy and you WILL lose.

i dont blame the peole who've never tried it to be skeptical, but after seeing it with my worn eyes and then WITH MY OWN BODY, i know it works.

good luck!

stop with this, you lost weight due to the caloric deficit, the drops (which are homeopathic and garbage) or the shots don't do anything. if you think they did, they call that the placebo effect

Amen.

All you need to do is eat clean, don't eat too much or too little, and workout. It's so simple. Why anyone would take hormones to lose weight is beyond me. Don't do it. And it's not a long-term thing at all.

This seems to have worked for me! My ticker speaks for itself.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!! As anyone would do upon hearing the newest IT diet, I wanted to know about it. Now I definitely do, so seriously thanks!!

To be honest, I was lazy & didn't really read the website. I skimmed it. I don't like to read websites because of course their product is "THE BEST PRODUCT EVER THAT PRODUCES RESULTS!!!!!" so I decided I'd rather hear from real people.

I'll stick to eating healthy & exercising

Woohoo!