The HCG Diet: Advantages and Disadvantages to Fast Weight Loss

There are literally hundreds of new diets that pop up on the radar each year. Though these diets all promise rapid weight loss, not all of them follow through with their promises. Out of those thousands of new fads, one diet has caught the attention of physicians and individuals alike: the HCG diet. Individuals participating in this diet will have to take injections or supplements of the HCG hormone (also referred to as the pregnancy hormone). While on these supplements, the individual will then consume only 500 calories per day. This diet has proven itself in recent studies and some individuals have even reported losing up to 30 pounds in as little as one month. Before starting the diet, however, individuals should understand how it works and whether or not they qualify for it.

A Little HCG Diet History

In the 1950’s, HCG was given to younger children who suffered from obesity-related illnesses. It was thought that by giving them an injection of the pregnancy hormone they would be able to overcome obesity and start losing weight. By 2000, the United States took on the diet as their own and paired it with the theory that eating 500 calories per day and taking the injections would result in rapid weight loss. And it did.

Dramatic Weight Loss

Consumers who are on the HCG diet have reported rapid weight loss. In combination with the hormone supplement and only eating 500 calories per day, most individuals report 20 to 30 pounds of weight loss in as little as 30 days.

After the 30 days the individual stays on a healthy, well-balanced diet to maintain their weight loss and they can return to the HCG diet in a few months if need be. The idea is to have rapid weight loss that the individual can maintain later.

A Few Side Effects to Note

As with any diet, there are side effects to the HCG diet. Most commonly people will suffer from fatigue and gastrointestinal upset. This is because of the very low caloric intake done on a daily basis during the HCG diet’s duration. Some individuals can suffer from extreme nausea, especially if they have unknown underlying conditions.

A person must see a physician before starting the HCG diet. Those suffering from chronic illnesses or those who are obese do not qualify for the diet itself. This is because the HCG diet can cause severe, if not life-threatening medical issues for those suffering underlying conditions.

The HCG diet is only successful if the individual follows the routine, but also if they maintain the weight loss after their 30 day session. As long as the individual eats right, exercises and maintains a healthy caloric intake, they will keep their HCG diet weight off.

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Choosing the hCG Diet

In our culture today, we are obsessed with appearances, which naturally extends to regulating weight. Countless media images surround us of thin supermodels and buff male models, while the obesity crisis in America grows: the disconnect is obvious. We want what we cannot have and are willing to go to whatever lengths to achieve it: the perfect body. The diet industry is huge in this country with names as varied as Atkins, South Beach, and the like, but nothing seems to really work. However, promising new studies have shown diets like the hCG diet can present real solutions.

We’re skeptical when we hear about new diets now, especially after trying so many unsuccessfully. Sure, you’ve dropped a pants size or two, but within a few months, the pounds have always slowly snuck up again. Of course we know how we’re supposed to diet, monitoring our portions, making good, healthy choices, and going to the gym for cardio and weights. We know we’ll loose a pound or two a week, slowly and steadily. But, our culture is one that begs results and quick.

However, some scientists now believe that diet and exercise may not be as effective as other diets like HCG for some people.

The hCG diet stands for human chorionic gonadotropin and it is a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. It is said to help suppress feelings of hunger and burn through fat instead of muscle (a common problem of low-calorie diets where muscle is often burned).

Coupled with injections of the hormone or serum drops placed under the tongue daily, dieters are meant to eat a very low calorie diet. While most men need approximately 2,500 calories a day and most women need 2,000 calories a day (and more if they are active), and are not advised to go below 1,200 calories even when dieting, dieters on the hCG diet will eat only 500 calories a day. Normally this can be very dangerous and eating such low amounts of calories is often associated with eating disordered behavior and diseases like anorexia that put the body into starvation mode and do not allow it to burn excess calories. However, scientists claim, when coupled with hCG hormones, many of these adverse consequences can be avoided.

The hCG diet’s benefits however are still up for some debate. Whether the weight loss is actually caused by the injections or serums is debatable-when someone eats only 500 calories a day of mainly unprocessed foods, they are bound to loose weight one way or another.

The FDA has heeded their warning and has banned any hCG products in the United States.

Despite this, dieters should keep their eyes and ears alert to see if the FDA lifts this ban on the HCG diet-it may be what they’re looking for.

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