HCG diet

Please do a search for HCG on the message boards.

The HCG drops/injections themselves are nothing but a placebo. They don't actually DO anything to help with weight loss. They might do other things (depending on the concentration of HCG in the drops/injections). HCG IS a hormone after all, and in my opinion, it's rather foolish to inject yourself with excess hormone (or drink it). Who knows what long-lasting effects this might have?

The diet plan is potentially dangerous. You are supposed to eat 800 calories a day or less. It is very difficult to get the macro and micro nutrients you need to be healthy on 800 calories a day.

Please do a Search....you will find more than you've ever wanted regarding HCG.

.....best of luck on your search....

Has anyone tried the HCG diet??

I highly recommend you reconsider this.
It's UNHEALTHY!
Just take your time, 1 lb per week and get fit for life - not just for a season with fake weight loss that would stifle your metabolism, eat away lean body mass and be a temporary fix that's sure to pack on the weight once the crash diet terminates.
Research this heavily and don't rely on mere testimonials but actual science.
Good luck to you!

i did HCG and it was so hard and i was starving all the time and grumpy and wished i never did it. the worst thing is, my memory has been really bad since i took the drops. i don't know why but it's like i have permanent pregnancy brain without being pregnant!

Basically, everyone should know NOT to post about the HCG diet...It will just cause a big argument among members, then be removed.

i WOULD NOT reccomend a diet of HCG!! thats a pregnancy hormone. injecting HcG can make you ovulate as it works very simular to LH and can be used to stimulate an ovary. one oif my hubbys mates decided to try this diet... no idea why but shes now left with very doidgy hormones she cant get pregnant because her periods stopped and she only lost 8lb.

It's not the HCG that makes you lose weight, it's the 500 calorie diet you're eating a long with it.

information for anybody- on the net. You won’t see me promoting quick fixes or fad diets anytime soon. But every once in awhile something comes along that seems so dangerous I have to call it out. That’s why I’m going to help reveal the truth behind the HCG diet.

What it is: HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. This hormone is detected in the blood around 11 days after conception; it is detected in the urine around 12-14 days after conception. While it is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it is present in both genders.

What it does in the body: 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.

The weight loss claim: The HCG diet (using daily hcg injections) will help you lose 1-3 pounds per day. The HCG-diet combines the daily injections with a very low-calorie diet (500 calories per day).

500-calories per day is severely restrictive! In fact, it is not enough calories to support normal brain function. Your body will compensate by using stores of glycogen, protein (muscle) and some fat, which lowers your resting metabolism. Before you can lose true weight, you will be so irritable, lightheaded, and cranky that you’ll reach for whatever food you can get your hands on and have a field day.


Scientific evidence: There is no scientific evidence supporting HCG injections as a weight loss strategy. In addition, these injections have not been approved by the FDA for use in weight loss. In fact, since 1975 the FDA has required all marketing and advertising of HCG to state the following: “HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. 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.”

“HCG is a hormone extracted from urine of pregnant women. It is approved by FDA for treatment of certain problems of the male reproductive system and in stimulating ovulation in women who have had difficulty becoming pregnant. No evidence has been presented, however, to substantiate claims for HCG as a weight-loss aid.” via the FDA

HCG ban: The hormone was recently added to the list of “banned substances” in Major League Baseball, as it was becoming increasingly popular among steroid users. Athletes turned to this, among other “performance enhancing drugs” because it “mitigates the side effects of ending a cycle of steroids.”

Negative side effects: The common side effects include headaches, mood swings, depression, blood clots, confusion, and dizziness. Some women also develop a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS); symptoms of this include pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and legs, stomach pain, weight gain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting/nausea, and/or urinating less than normal.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Weight loss is hard work and it won’t come in a potion, pill, or injection. The most “dangerous” thing you should be doing to your body is trying a new exercise that intimidates you like rock climbing or completing a marathon.

Sources:

Banned in MLB
HCG Side Effects
FDA
CalorieLab : “Weight loss is hard, and human pregnancy hormone won’t change that”
Associated Content : “HCG Marketed by convicted fraud, Kevin Trudeau”
Diet Scam Watch : “HCG Worthless as a weight-loss aid”

If you want long-term success, check out programs that have stood the test of time like Weight Watchers or the meal delivery systems like Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig. At least these programs don’t have you taking expensive drugs.

Of course, I strongly promote visiting with a registered dietitian who can evaluate your current eating behaviors and help you work toward long-term behavior change and weight loss that sticks! Most of my clients lose 30 pounds eating foods they love. It starts with some basic knowledge of nutrients and energy balance and then progresses to increasing your awareness about your personal barriers to eating healthy and how to overcome them. You have the ability to achieve the weight and the life you deserve and you don’t need pills and potions to do it.

I have done the HCG diet for 27 days and lost 19.5 lbs. The diet was successful but not without some problems. Before I started HGC I had normal-high blood pressure. About a week into the diet my blood pressure began to drop daily. When it would drop a couple of points I would feel tired. Not the sleepy tired but with no energy. It would take me a day or two to get used to that new low. By the end of 27 days my blood pressure was 108/78 (normal is 120/80). I spoke to my doctor about the problem but she real couldn't comment as she did know about HCG although she was pleased about the lower blood pressure. But she warned me to be careful as low blood pressure is harder to treat than high pressure. My blood pressure has since stablized at 118/80 which is very good.

I have been off HGC for nearly two weeks. The problem now is meeting the calorie and protein requirements which is that for my BMR with additional protein of 100-150 grams per day.I find it difficult to eat that much food especially since it doesn't include suger or starches yet and very little dairy or nuts at this point. That amount of protein means eating meat or fish about four times a day. I have decided to resort to whey protein shakes. Still meeting the required calories is a problem for me (I know that sounds funny!). Imagine eating 500 cal. per day for a month then suddenly having to eat 1800 cal. Beleive me, it's not easy.

If you were to ask me if I would do the HGC diet again, I would tell you no. I am relatively active and I didn't like the feeling of having several days where I didn't have enough energy for the activities I liked to do. My friends would deagree with me. They didn't have any problems.

If you want some more information, i would be happy to talk to you further.