HCG Diet: How Effective Is This Product?
What You Should Know About This Product
A diet supplement administered through injections or oral drops, the HCG Diet is considered by some to be a controversial weight loss method. HCG stands for Human Choriogonadotropin, a hormone that is produced by women in the first stages of pregnancy. Its main function in pregnancy is to stimulate the hypothalamus, which in turn moves essential fats and nutrients into the placenta. In terms of weight loss, it is this ability to move fat that has attracted weight loss experts and dieters looking for the newest industry breakthrough. Unfortunately there is little scientific evidence to show that HCG is the ‘miracle’ diet supplement hoped for and will certainly not have much effect on weight unless used in conjunction with a severely calorie-restricted diet.
In addition to this, there have been several adverse side effects associated with HCG when it is used for weight loss. These can include depression, headaches and blood clots and, although it has been FDA-approved for use in pregnancy, it has not for dieting. In terms of safety, there is no concrete proof to show that HCG oral supplements carry fewer risks than injecting the substance, although the former would certainly be more convenient.
Typically, the HCG Diet should be followed for three weeks and always monitored by a health professional.
Ingredients Contained In The Product
Human Choriogonadotropin hormone
HCG Diet The Product Details
The HCG diet contains the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin and a dose of 125 iu of HCG is administered by injection or oral drops. The recommended regime for the HCG Diet is quite strict: the days of the first and second dose, the user can eat a normal amount of food followed by a 500-calorie intake on the day of and after the third dose. This amount should be continued until 72 hours after the final dose is administered. Additionally, starchy, processed and sugar-laden foods are prohibited.
A typical daily intake on the HCG diet would consist of coffee or tea with milk in the morning, a lean protein combined with low-glycemic vegetable (such as cucumbers or celery) at lunch and dinner, with a snack allowance of half a serving of fruit and low-carb cracker. Some experts also recommend that the dieter drinks apple cider vinegar on a regular basis and restricts the use of skin care products containing fats and oils.
There are a number of recipe and information websites available to followers of the diet plus tips on getting the best results.
Strengths of HCG Diet
- May cause weight loss when used in combination with a severely reduced-calorie diet
- The product is available in two different formulations
- Users are given diet plans to follow
Weaknesses of HCG Diet
- Weight loss is generally temporary
- The recommended caloric amount is extremely dangerous
- The HCG diet can cause serious side effects
- There is no clinical proof to show the HCG Diet works
HCG Diet The Bottom Line
The HCG Diet is highly regimented, extreme weight loss program that involves the administration of either hormone injections or oral drops coupled with a very low-calorie diet. While it is popular among people wishing to lose weight quickly and effectively, the fact that it has so many side effects is a definite problem. Anyone deciding to take this route would certainly be recommended to discuss it with their G.P. first.
