Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone that is naturally produced during pregnancy. It is commonly prescribed to cause ovulation and to treat infertility in women, reports Drugs.com. HCG and its accompanying diet have also been marketed and sold as a popular weight-loss aid but have been proven to be ineffective.
History
According to the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, HCG was first described as a method for weight loss by Dr. Albert Simeons in 1954. His method was to inject patients with HCG for six days each week over a period of eight weeks. In addition to the HCG injections, patients were instructed to eat 500 calories each day from specific types of foods. Dr. Simeons' method became popular in the 1970s, but several clinical trials disproved its effectiveness. In the late 2000s, the HCG diet resurfaced as a popular weight-loss diet.
Claims
The HCG diet claims to induce fast weight loss with minimal hunger and to reduce fat from unwanted places, including the stomach, hips, thighs and upper arms. Dr. Stephen Barrett, author of "HCG Worthless as Weight-Loss Aid," reports there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. He suggests the HCG diet may do more harm than good, as it can result in a loss of protein from vital organs and cause other unwanted side effects.
Research
A meta-analysis published in the September 1995 "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" concluded there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in treating obesity. It also concluded HCG does not affect hunger levels, redistribute fat or promote feelings of well-being as claimed. MayoClinic.com reports that any weight lost while following the HCG diet is caused by calorie restriction and not the HCG itself.
Side Effects
Using HCG can cause some side effects, including headache, irritability, restlessness, breast tenderness or swelling and depression, reports Drugs.com. HCG can also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in some women, which is a life-threatening condition. Mayo Clinic nutritionist Jennifer K. Nelson also reports that following the HCG diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and the rapid weight loss from the HCG diet can also lead to gallstones.
Warnings
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved HCG for weight loss. Since 1975, the FDA has required all HCG advertising and products to clearly state HCG is not effective for weight loss, does not reduce hunger nor does it redistribute fat. The American Society of Bariatric Physicians also warns the HCG diet should not be used as a treatment for obesity.
References
- American Society of Bariatric Physicians: ASBP Position: Use of HCG in the Treatment of Obesity
- Drug Information Online: HCG
- Diet Scam Watch: HCG Worthless as Weight-Loss Aid
- British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity
- Mayo Clinic: Does the HCG diet work --- and is it safe?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: News Releases: Controversial Weight Loss Treatment May Have Contributed to the Early Death of 1950's Film and Recording Star
