HCG has been touted as a way to lose weight quickly for decades, but little proof has been provided that it actually works. If you look at the HCG diet critically, you’ll soon see that of course you will lose weight on it – because you’re hardly eating anything.
The HCG Diet
HCG is a hormone that is naturally produced by pregnant women. Human chorionic gonadotrophin was originally used to treat men with underdeveloped testes. Researchers discovered that it also contributed to weight loss.
If you examine the HCG diet, you will find that the dietary recommendation is to eat no more than 500 calories daily. This is far below the recommended healthy caloric consumption of at least 1,200 calories daily. In addition to eating only 500 calories, you take HCG daily, in the form of injections, drops or tablets. According to proponents of the diet, you can lose up to 30 pounds a month.
What the Experts Say
The FDA has weighed in on HCG, saying research data does not support claims that weight loss is due to the hormone. The director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center states that weight loss from the HCG diet is due to the faith of the dieter or the “Dumbo feather” effect.
If you are looking for ways to lose weight, don’t throw your money away on fake diets. Use the tried and true – reduce your calories, exercise and eat healthy. You’ll feel better and the weight will start to come off and stay off.
– The Alternative Daily
