You may have heard of human chorionic gonadotrophin, or HCG, from the popular HCG diet. The HCG diet promises weight loss of 1 to 3 lbs. a day. It falls into the category of "very low calorie" diets as defined by the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition. You may be curious about what role HCG plays in weight loss and if it can help you lose weight.
Not Approved For Weight Loss
Despite the popularity of the HCG diet and the aggressive marketing campaigns for the diet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve HCG as a diet aid. HCG is only approved as a fertility treatment to help women get pregnant or as a hormone replacement medication to increase the testosterone levels in men with decreased gonad function. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the FDA requires HCG advertisers to include a product disclaimer stating that HCG has not been clinically proven to be an effective weight loss aid.
Not Effective For Weight Loss
According to the "Los Angeles Times" and the University of Idaho, although HCG has been studied since the early 1950s, there has yet to be a legitimate peer reviewed clinical trial that suggests it can help you lose weight. Clinical studies suggest just the opposite. In a study published in the 1995 "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology," researchers concluded that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective for the treatment of obesity, body fat redistribution or that it decreases hunger or induces a sense of well-being.
Side Effects of HCG
The HCG diet protocol requires daily injections of 125 IU HCG. Not only is HCG not proven effective as a diet aid, it can also have side effects. According to MayoClinic.com, HCG can cause male breast enlargement. This is because HCG can increase your estrogen levels as well as your testosterone. Elevated estrogen can cause breast tissue to develop in men prone to breast growth, or gynecomastia. In females, HCG can cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath, pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and feet, bloating and abnormal weight gain.
Weight Loss
Many people who seek out diet aids to help them lose weight may not understand how weight loss occurs. Weight loss is product of caloric intake. To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than you burn. Likewise, if you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. No pills, supplements or medications will make you lose weight if you are still eating more calories than you are burning. If you have tried to lose weight in the past with a caloric deficient diet and regular exercise and been unsuccessful, you should contact your doctor or a registered dietitian.
References
- University of Idaho: Thinking About Slimming Down for the Holiday Season on HCG - Think Again
- UCLA Center for Human Nutrition: Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)
- "Los Angeles TImes": HCG Diet Was Largely Discredited Long Ago; Elena Conis - Nov. 2, 2009
- MayoClinic.com: HCG diet: Is It Safe and Effective? Jennifer K. Nelson RD
- "Arizona Republic"; HCG diet popular in Valley, but could be risky; Ken Altucker; Oct 24 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
