HCG diet for weight loss needs much more explanation than you actually think.
Excess weight has been a very-very common problem among the people these days.
People do not hesitate to try even weird stuff to lose weight.
In the same perspective, today, we are going to talk about the HCG diet for weight loss.
HCG diet is quite popular among the masses. This diet includes a hormone that the body forms in large quantity during the pregnancy period.
To start with this diet is not new but actually, it dates back in the 1950s.
This HCG diet claims to have a significant impact on weight loss. This diet seems completely tremendous.
However, there is a darker side and which does not have any scientific evidence whether it works or not.
Human chronic gonadotropin on HCG is one of the hormone types that is essential for the development of the fetus during the pregnancy hours.
Initially, it was thought to have a connection between weight loss and the use of HCG.
What is the Promise of HCG?
Use a natural remedy that the human body produces during the pregnancy and lose a lot of weight.
It is not true; we will be explaining why we are making such harsh statements.
Also See: Nu Image Medical Reviews: The Shocking Truth About HCG Diet!
Well, our earlier statement of losing weight was the biggest factor in the popularity of this Six-decade old HCG diet plans. I
t is not just popular, but people follow it like craze.
However, the noteworthy point here is that if you go on a strict diet like this. You will most certainly lose weight without any additional help.
There are a few individuals who will defend the use of HCG by saying that it can recommence your metabolic rate at a high level.
Hence, losing a pound daily will not be a problem at all. Moreover, you will not bear hunger pangs or weakness.
Really???? Is it something that you can believe?
Science already says that when you do not consume enough calories, you will lose weight.
So what is new???
Actually losing weight is not just shredding a few unwanted pounds but in reality, it is more of a question that what you are losing in the name of weight.
If you are losing lean muscles instead of fat or water content or your body is getting the victim of malnutrition, you are already on the wrong end; buddy. This is not how you do it…!!!!!!
Reminder:
weight loss is not a big deal. How you are losing and what you are losing is the real issue here.
Speaking of that most of the clinical trials has learned that human chorionic gonadotropin has no connection with weight loss results.
Moreover, Usually, HCG diet plans limit your calorie intake up to 500 calories per 24 hours.
The duration is of 1-month plus.
The methods of including Human chorionic gonadotropin can be more than one.
However, the FDA does not approve HCG for weight loss (no matter which type it is of this hormone).
You should see these FDA approved fat burners here.
What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
Placenta produces a hormone, and we know this hormone with the name of Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
The detection of human chorionic gonadotropin presence is possible during the pregnancy tests.
Remember the worthy point is that some cancer-causing tumors have the tendency to elevate the Human chorionic gonadotropin.
Thus, without pregnancy having excess Human chorionic gonadotropin in the body is alarming. The high ratio presence can be a paraneoplastic syndrome.
The situation is still ambiguous whether the presence of hormone formation can trigger or influence carcinogenesis.
We know this hormone as Luteinizing hormone. In our human bodies, pituitary gland generates it.
Furthermore, people of all ages have it but in a very negligible amount.
Human chorionic gonadotropin could be categorized in various different forms.
Some of the famous types are β-core fragment HCG, β-subunit HCG, Intact HCG, Pituitary HCG, Nicked HCG, Hyperglycosylated HCG, and C-Terminal Peptide total HCG.
Moreover, there are various ways to extract either HCG from animal or to prepare it synthetically.
Some of these versions do have a medical justification for their therapeutic use.
However, we cannot say the same for every gonadotropin preparation.
Do remember, on 6th December 2011, FDA USA halted the OTC (over the counter) and homeopathic gonadotropin preparation.
They did not stop there because the FDA has also declared it illegal and fraud/scam.
Why does your Body need Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
It is a hormone that is protein based.
This hormone helps during pregnancy to a women body. It helps the body to learn that the body is pregnant.
Furthermore, it has some more cardinal function as well that are related to the pregnancy process.
For instance, it takes part in the estrogen and progesterone hormone production.
It regulates the formation of both the hormones as well.
These both hormones have some particular trades. Actually, they both play their part in the development of fetus and embryo.
However, after the initial three months during the pregnancy, the hormone levels start decreasing, which is normal.
Is it possible to have HCG levels if you are not pregnant?
Yes, your body carries this hormone even in normal health state, but the ratio of this hormone will not be much significant as compared to pregnancy period. Usually, women carry 5 IU/mL.
Do Men need Human chorionic gonadotropin?
HCG is a crucial hormone and quite relatable to the first trimester of pregnancy. However, it is possible for men to take it too.
FDA approves HCG injections for the issue of hypogonadism in men.
Does HCG Diet Work?
HCG Diet’s working:
First time ever this diet was introduced via a book in 1954. The book was “Pounds and Inches:
A New Approach to obesity” by A.T.W. Simeons.
Actually, Simeons created this diet. It has been a typical recommendation of multiple dieticians that a good breakfast is so important.
However, Simeons suggests nothing heavy until lunch hours. In his diet chart, the dieter can go for either black coffee or tea with no sugar (sweeteners are okay) in the name of breakfast.
If you need milk, you will take just 1 tablespoon in the entire period of 24 hours.
Additionally, with insufficient food intake, you have to use HCG injections on a daily basis.
Usually, dieters take this injection in the thigh area. Moreover, it is also possible for a dieter to go with either HCG diet drops or HCG shots or HCG Spray.
HCG Types
With the paltry diet, the dieter needs to administer Pregnancy hormone (Human chorionic gonadotropin).
A clinical nutritionist and a medical practitioner in Wilmington-Dr. David Friedman states in his book; this hormone may tend to suppress the appetite whereas the diet claims that Human chorionic gonadotropin is likely to torch the fat content of the body.
However, what ratio your body naturally carries and what further artificially you take in the form of additional hormones can bring some serious consequences.
Disturbing natural hormonal equilibrium can never result in something better.
All the hormones are readily available online; under different brand names as well as in their generic form.
However, the FDA does not license the sale of these types of substances.
The hormone can cost you from $20 to $500 (it depends on which option you are going for).
The alarming part is most of the websites claim and says that you do not need any prescription to use these Human chorionic gonadotropin types whether they are HCG Pallets, HCG shots, HCG diet drops or HCG injections but in reality, things are not like that.
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What is HCG calculator?
Is there any connection between HCG diet for weight loss or in this calculator?
Well, it is a tool that you can use to measure human chorionic gonadotropin during the pregnancy, and it has nothing to with HCG diet for weight loss.
This HCG test has significant importance just during the initial trimester of pregnancy.
HCG Diet for Weight Loss – Is it a Myth or Reality?
Advocates of this diet are firm believers that this Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone can help in speeding up metabolism and it also helps you to lose a huge amount of fat content (without letting you feel any hunger).
Moreover, there are various explanations have been given to showcase how the mechanism works for weight loss.
However, several studies on this subject tell us a different story.
The conclusions are almost the same in 99.99% studies that whatever weight loss is taking place with HCG diet is just because of vigorous dieting or calorie deficit and there is no role that this hormone is performing.
Moreover, the weight loss with the same food intake was similar in both the groups when one was taking Human chorionic gonadotropin, and the other group was on placebo.
Additionally, it is also noteworthy that this hormone does not decrease your hunger. Thus, this hormone is working as a dummy in this whole process instead of doing something active.
HCG Diet for Weight Loss Program
The diet includes extremely low fat, and the calorie deficit is on extreme too.
There three phases of this diet:
i. Phase 1 (Loading Phase):
Administer HCG, take a diet plan that is high on fat, two days- consume high-calorie food
ii. Phase 2 (weight loss phase):
keep administering Human chorionic gonadotropin and now take just 500 calories per day for an extended duration of 3 to 6 weeks.
iii. Phase 3 (Maintenance Phase):
No more Human chorionic gonadotropin consumption in this phase. You can now steadily increase food consumption but still, do not consume starch and sugar for another 3 weeks
When people are looking for just a few pounds tweak here and there, just three weeks by the 2nd phase are enough.
However, people who are willing to see some serious weight loss may need to continue the diet for the complete six week period. Moreover, all the phases can be repeated for reducing more kilos.
During the HCG weight loss (Phase 2), you can just take two meals per day or just lunch and dinner.
Moreover, HCG diet plans suggest meals with
- 1 bread piece
- 1 fruit
- One vegetable
- One portion of lean protein
What are things you can consume in HCG Diet?
A majority of the calorie part is present in lunch and dinner, and the main sources are mainly protein.
As per the meal plans, you need to take 3.5 ounces of protein. Here, protein should be lean and fat-free. This 3.5 ounces will be part of every meal.
Recommended Protein options are
- Crab
- lobster
- Shrimp
- Whitefish
- Extra lean beef
- Scallops
- Egg whites
- Chicken
However, protein sources that might have high-fat percentage are not much favorable here like
- Pickled fish
- Herring
- Salmon
- Tuna
Moreover, it is advisable that dieters remove any fat content that is visible on the protein source. Use either grilling or boiling method for cooking. It is possible to alternate low-fat cottage cheese & egg once in a while.
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Addition of 1 low-calorie vegetable is okay in lunch and dinner hours.
The possible vegetable options are
- Fennel
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Beet Greens
- cabbage
- Chard
- Green salad
- Celery
- Spinach
- shallots
- Asparagus
- Cucumbers
- Mixed greens
- Red radishes
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
Fruit that you might include
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Grapefruits
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Apples
What are the HCG Diet Side Effects?
FDA has not given any approval to HCG diet for weight loss whereas most of the government agencies question its safety level as the ingredients often enough are not regulated and identified either.
Moreover, there are different types of HCG diet side effects are possible to take their toll on your health.
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Headaches
The dieters will severely face these side effects.
Moreover, the occurrence is usually present due to the starvation mode type of calorie intake. The feeling is so miserable.
Intentionally, facing that starvation mode calorie intake is not a rational choice. No matter how strong emotionally you are, your body reacts in an extreme way when you do not consume enough calories.
Additionally, in one of the cases, 64 old lady was on HCG diet when blood clots formation took place in her lungs and legs.
The chances are those clots were because of this diet. Thus, blood clot formation might take place as a result of this diet.
Is there any possibility to have diet preference?
Vegetarians and Vegans
The fan of this irrational diet say that everyone can go for this diet, but for weight loss, it does not became a safer selection.
According to creators, if you are vegetarian consuming extra skim milk can fulfill your requirements that you are missing due to skipping protein sources. You can include low-fat dairy substitute.
However, it includes dairy products, so this diet is not for vegans.
Can you gain weight with HCG diet?
This diet seems significant for weight loss just because of calorie deficit otherwise there is nothing in this diet and yes, when you do not decrease your food intake, your weight either be the same or you might gain if you think that HCG is working and you start taking extra calories.
In short, this question is more about how much calories you are eating. Calories more than the requirement of the body will result in weight gain.
Wrap UP
HCG Diet for weight loss Verdict = Not recommended.
This diet does not have anything to offer that you cannot manage on your own.
HCG diet drops are readily available under various brand names, and they all claim that these products are worth trying but not only these products are just scams but going for an extreme calorie deficit, you are risking your overall health.
Weight loss should always be in reasonable style, and starving is not equal to healthy weight loss remedy!
If you are willing to commit suicide, there will be so many other ways; you do not need to try this HCG diet for that reason.
It is nothing but a scam that asks you to starve yourself in an extreme way to shed extra pounds.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hcg-diet-101
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3609673
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/hcg-and-weight-loss#1
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02427529
- https://www.doctoroz.com/article/hcg-diet-research-study
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/hcg-diet/faq-20058164
- https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/the-hcg-diet-may-help-you-lose-weight-but-at-what-cost