Losing Weight on the Controversial hCG Diet

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Let me start by saying that I am not a doctor, nor have I tried the hCG diet. I was intrigued to write this article to further investigate the hCG diet, how it works and the effects it has on the body. It has been dubbed a revolutionary diet, allowing many people to lose as much as 30 pounds a month without exercise. It has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, where he dissected the information and controversy surrounding the diet. Thousands of people around the world claim that it has helped them to reach and maintain their ideal weight.

What is hCG?

hCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is a hormone that is produced in pregnancy by the embryo and then a component of the placenta. This is the hormone that shows on pregnancy tests, giving it a positive or negative result. The hormone was originally injected to induce ovulation in women and into the testes in men to aid conception. It is even extracted from pregnant women's urine for use in fertility treatments.

hCG diet treatment was discovered by Dr. Albert T.W. Simeons, when he used hCG hormones in boys to combat obesity. He found that, when using hCG with a low 500 calorie a day diet, the boys would lose a significant amount of fat but maintain the same level of body muscle. The diet consisted of high protein and low carbohydrate and fatty foods. The hormone would act as an appetite suppressant, which was key when eating a low calorie diet. Many patients would also have more energy, which is an effect seen in pregnant women when they are producing hCG hormones.

How Does it Work?

There are two benefits to using hCG - it is used as an appetite suppressant and to break down body fat. With little or no exercise, many people have lost weight solely by using hCG and a restricted diet. Many skeptics agree that although anyone on a 500 calorie a day diet will lose weight, hCG helps to feel full after a small meal.

How Do I Take hCG?

You can take hCG in one of two ways - daily injections or oral drops. Daily injections are the only way to have the purest form of hCG, however many users many be a bit squeamish to inject the hormone into their stomach daily. The injections are FDA approved for fertility, but not for weight loss. They are however prescribed by many physicians to aid weight loss.

The alternative to hCG injections are ingestible drops that are used 3 times a day. The homoeopathic drops contain low levels of hCG, as the FDA does not approve higher amounts of hCG to be distributed over the counter. You will want to follow the instructions are described on the bottle. Many hCG drops recommend applying the drops under your tongue and then let them absorb into your bloodstream for 30 seconds before swallowing or eating.

The hCG diet should include liquids for breakfast, lunch and dinner that consists of 3.5 ounces of protein like chicken or lean beef. You should also include one vegetable like spinach, green salad, fennel, cucumbers, asparagus or cabbage. There are no carbohydrates, sugar and only one tablespoon of skimmed milk each day.

What are the Side Effects of hCG?

Some of the side effects of hCG include hair loss, loss of menstrual period, fatigue and blood clots. There has been some discussion among doctors that could influence pre-existing cancer.

It is a good idea to consult with your doctor before taking any form of hCG.

English doctor Albert T.W. Simeons was educated in Germany as an Endocrinologist. He briefly worked in Africa, helping to cure tropical diseases, then moved to India where he received the Red Cross merit for helping to find ways to cure malaria.

After living in India for 20 years, he then moved to Italy where he developed the hCG Weight Loss Protocol. He then wrote Pounds & Inches a New Approach to Obesity, a guide to the hCG diet. The diet was popular among the Hollywood elite and often seeked the help of Dr. Simeons to keep their weight loss down.

Dr. Simeons stated,

"The HCG + diet method can bring relief to every case of obesity, but the method is not simple. It is very time consuming and requires perfect cooperation between physician and patient. Each case must be handled individually, and the physician must have time to answer questions, allay fears and remove misunderstandings. He must also check the patient daily. When something goes wrong he must at once investigate until he finds the reason for any gain that may have occurred. In most cases it is useless to hand the patient a diet-sheet and let the nurse give him a “shot."