The use of HCG (Human Chorionic hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin) for weight loss is not a new concept. Also known as the HCG diet, those seeking to achieve safe weight loss have religiously sought a miracle cure to achieve rapid, safe weight loss. With the overwhelming majority of U.S. adults obese or overweight (72.6%), the use of a hormone to promote weight loss sounds great. However, much disinformation regarding hormone-based diets exists online, and those considering its use need to know a few things.
What Is the HCG Diet?
The HCG diet refers to a two-prong approach to weight loss—restricting caloric intake and ingesting HCG. Now, the FDA has previously approved HCG to treat fertility problems in both men and women, says WedMD. Unfortunately, the FDA often takes a backseat when it comes to reviewing hormones or supplements for weight loss. In fact, the FDA does not oversee the production or testing of supplements, and more miserably, the FDA views the use of HCG for weight loss as nothing more than a supplement.
With that in mind, the information available online can be even more misleading. Claims tout HCG’s illegality and mention myriad health risks. However, HCG injections are completely legal as long as a health care provider administers them. This is the distinction between attempting to obtain HCG through over-the-counter products and illicit street drugs to achieve weight loss.
The solution is simple; those seeking the weight loss benefits of HCG need to obtain the hormone from a licensed health practitioner.
Are There Any Health Risks With Taking HCG?
The HCG diet does come with some health risks, including fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and even mood swings. Yet, these risks and symptoms accompany anyone working to lose weight. Obviously, exercise and a balanced diet can go a long way in reducing the adverse effects of losing weight.
Even when purchasing “legitimate” HCG online, those seeking weight loss should beware. The FDA is extremely strict against the use of HCG as a supplement, claiming it is unavailable and illegal. At the same time, hundreds of vendors sell the product online, and moreover, online products could even rise to the level of fraud. In other words, the products may claim to contain HCG, but in reality, they do not contain a single milligram. The various chemicals and compounds used to manufacturer these counterfeit products could also cause damage and health problems, explains U.S. News. Again, seeing an accredited provider is essential to obtaining legitimate HCG and avoiding unnecessary risks.
With that in mind, there are homeopathic HCG products available that rely on the body’s own mechanisms to naturally produce HCG. Thus, the products do not contain HCG and do not violate the law. They are basically vitamins and supplements that stimulate the body’s natural production of hormones, promoting weight loss along the way. So, the only risk for taking any homeopathic supplements is to your wallet and possible interactions with medications. However, working with a health provider to achieve weight loss can avoid this risk. The provider will explain if interactions may exist and can help provide direction on the best path forward.
How Does HCG Really Work?
The HCG diet promotes consumption of HCG as a way to boost metabolism and stimulate the breakdown of fat cells. While little evidence exists to support the claims, even less evidence exists to refute them. In other words, the HCG diet may in fact work, provided actual HCG is used and those attempting to lose weight adhere to it. So, how exactly does the diet work?
According to Healthline, the diet is broken into three phases:
- Phase one, or the loading phase, begins with the initial administration of HCG and consuming high-fat, high-calorie foods for two days.
- Phase two is the weight loss phase; people take HCG and lower their caloric intake to between 500 and 800 calories per day for approximately one month.
- Phase three, or the maintenance phase, removes HCG from the diet and gradually increases consumption of calories; people also avoid sugar and starch for three weeks.
What do the phases have in common with more traditional diets? They put the body into a state of metabolic shock. The introduction of HCG seeks to target this shock and make it more effective. At the same time, the reduced calorie diet enables weight loss.
Explore Your Weight Loss Options Now.
It is a chaotic world. Trying to lose weight with exercise can feel overwhelming. Those looking to lose weight should consider seeing a health provider to review their options and determine if the HCG diet might be a solution. Of course, any provider may adjust the HCG diet stipulations to optimize your weight loss, and Dr. Truong does just that, working with a 1,500 calorie per day diet during the middle phase. Find out if HCG for weight loss right for you by visiting Truong Rehabilitation Center online today.
