Most Americans have heard of HCG from either the popular weight loss protocol the "HCG Diet," or Kevin Trudeau's 2007 book entitled, "The Weight Loss Cure 'They' Don't Want You to Know About," according to the "Los Angeles Times." Many are led to believe that HCG can help you lose weight. If you are considering using HCG for weight loss, you should know that there is no legitimate scientific evidence that suggests HCG, in any amount, can help you lose weight.
General Information
HCG, human chorionic gonadotropin, is not a weight loss or obesity treatment, it is a fertility treatment. It is used to help women achieve pregnancy. It is also sometimes prescribed to males individually or as part of a hormone replacement therapy treatment protocol. The "Los Angeles Times" explains the supposed connection with weight loss. In the early 1950s, Dr. A.T.W. Simeons began administering small amounts of HCG to obese subjects while they were following a extremely restrictive 500-calorie diet. The subjects lost weight. Dr. Simeons credited HCG for the weight loss and claimed it helped suppress their appetite, induced feelings of well-being and helps "redistribute" fat away from abdominal areas. Dr. Simeons' HCG Diet calls daily 125-iu administrations of the compound, lasting no longer than 40 days.
No Evidence
Despite what Dr. Simeons and proponents of the HCG Diet claim, there are absolutely no clinical trials that found or suggest that any amount of HCG can help you lose weight. Studies in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," the "British Journal of Pharmacology" and the "South African Medical Journal," all clearly state that HCG is not effective for weight loss or the treatment of obesity. Mayo Clinic and the University of Medical Medical Center both state that HCG is ineffective for weight loss and discourage from using the compound for dieting. A study in the 2011 "West Virginia Medical Journal" claims that there is an increasing shortage of HCG because it is being used ineffectively and unacceptably for commercial weight loss purposes.
FDA Stance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA also discourages the use of HCG for weight loss. The FDA only approves HCG as a prescribed fertility or testosterone replacement therapy treatment. Using HCG for weight loss is considered "off label" use. The FDA requires all commercial sales of the compound and advertisements to carry the disclaimer that "HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity." The disclaimer also states that there is no scientific evidence that HCG causes weight loss, appetite suppression or any sort of unique redistribution of fat.
Side Effects
Not only is HCG ineffective for weight loss but it can cause several side effects. In males, HCG raises testosterone and estrogen levels. This can cause the development of breast tissue in males that are prone to gynecomastia. The University of California at San Diego reports that women can experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a life-threatening condition. Other side effects may include difficulty breathing, pelvic pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hives and swelling or bloating of your face, hands or legs. Ironically, HCG can also cause weight gain.
References
- University of Idaho: Thinking About Slimming Down for the Holiday Season on HCG -- Think Again; Sep 2010
- Columbia News Service: Dieters Take a Jab at Fat With Injections for Weight Loss; Alexandra Horowitz; Mar 2008
- Los Angeles Times; HCG Diet was Largely Discredited Long Ago; Elena Conis; Nov 2009
- "West Virginia Medical Journal"; "There they go again"--hCG and weight loss; Toffle; 2011
- "South African Medical Journal"; Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; Bosch, et al.; 1990
- "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology"; The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis; Lijesen et al.; 1995
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