Thread: HCG Diet

This diet has very low calorie plan (500 to 800 calories per day) and dieters are supplemented with injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone present in pregnant women. This lasts about 3 weeks and dieters are monitored by health professionals

Even though the FDA approved hCG shots as a fertility drug, FDA did not approve its use on other reasons. There are no scientific evidence either that hCG Diet can help you lose weight. There are few reports of health problems resulting from this diet and there are risks like depression, restlessness, headaches and risk of blood clots.

It was said that weight loss from this diet is a result of a very low calorie diet and not because of the hCG shots. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Journal of the American Medical Association considered this diet as unsafe and ineffective for weight loss.

What are your thoughts about this diet?

This diet is considered unsafe and there are risks of serious side effects. I don't think medical professionals would endorse or recommend this diet.

Hormone injections? How much weight can dieters lose? Would you know how much the shots are? I'm not interested or anything. I'm just curious

500 to 800 calories per day? Even if dieters are monitored by health professionals, I don't think that's safe.

I agree with you sasa. Any diets lower than the recommended 1200 is not safe.

Viktoria, I'm not sure if the costs varies per clinic but all I know is, on the first visit, it will cost $25 and I think $10 on succeeding weeks. Some experience weight loss of 1-3 lbs a day.

I don't get it though. What's the idea behind injecting HCG hormones? What good will it do?

Although there are no evidence to support his claim, Dr. ATW Simeons, founder of this diet, believed that HCG would target fat deposits in the body and protect lean muscles.

In fairness to this diet though, I have read testimonials that it worked for some people. Some even said they lost around 7 pounds in less than 2 weeks.