The HCG Diet
Fad diets seem to come and go, and the HGC diet is no different.
The truth is that anyone can lose weight following any type of diet if they take in less calories than they expend each day. This holds true if you follow the Cookie Diet, the Fast Food Diet, the Pickle Juice Diet, and yes, even the HCG diet. However, losing weight the wrong way leads to serious physical health issues – many of which are long-term, the strong likelihood that you’ll gain back even weight than you lost, and emotional issues.
What is the HCG Diet?
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin which is a hormone that is produced by pregnant women. It is an essential component of the fetal development process.
HCG stimulates the hypothalamus which causes the body to increase the production of other hormones, leading to an increase in metabolic activity. This metabolic increase has led people to believe that it will help you lose weight.
Sounds good, right?
Not exactly.
Is it Safe? No.
Did you know that every doctor who prescribes HCG injections for weight loss also prescribes a very particular diet that the patient must follow? This diet usually restricts the patient to 500 calories per day and consists primarily of high protein, low carb foods.
500 calories a day? (gasp) This is very, very unsafe. Any person who follows this is risking serious health problems.
The least number of daily calories you should consume is about 1200 calories for a woman.
So if you only take in 500, even without putting HGC or any foreign substance into your body, you will lose weight.
This certainly isn’t sustainable so the question becomes what will happen when you actually start to eat again? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you are going to gain weight and you’ll also have to repair your broken metabolism. Neither is good.
Supported By Research
Did you know in 1976 there was a study on HCG and weight loss?
In the double-blind study, one group of individuals was administered HCG injections, while the other group was given a saline placebo.
Both groups were placed on the same 500-calorie-a-day diet.
The results?
At the end of the study, while both groups lost weight, there was NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE in the amount of weight lost between the two groups.
What does this mean?
It means that only eating 500 calories a day caused the weight loss, NOT the HCG injections.
By the way, do you know where HCG comes from?
Usually it comes from the urine of pregnant women.
A Better Alternative
With all of this being said, how can you use this to help you lose weight? By NOT following the HCG diet.
Instead, work with a personal trainer and nutrition coach and learn how to lead a healthy, sustainable lifestyle by following a structured nutrition plan and exercise regimen. Set yourself up to succeed, in both the short-term and long-term.
