After first gaining attention in the 1950s, the HCG Diet is once again attracting some dieters. This diet pairs severe calorie restriction with injections of the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin. Proponents claim that using HCG puts you on the fast track for weight loss, despite numerous studies finding otherwise. Following the HCG Diet is not only ineffective but also poses risks to your health.
The HCG Diet
Dr. ATW Simeons brought the HCG diet into the spotlight in his 1954 article appearing in the journal "Lancet." Simeons' theory was that injections of this hormone, normally produced in pregnant women, could inhibit hunger and increase weight loss in the obese. In his 1954 study, he found that combining HCG injections six days weekly for six weeks with a diet of just 500 to 550 calories produced favorable results in obese participants. He reported they lost about 0.5 to 1.3 lbs. daily.
Misconceptions
Those who support using HCG injections for weight loss claim that the hormone not only burns fat but can also shift body fat from undesirable parts of the body. These include the buttocks, thighs and stomach. Yet the HCG Diet isn't just about getting daily injections; it also requires strict calorie limits. The plan features a diet consisting of fewer than a 1,000 calories -- participants may consume as little as 500 calories a day. It is this severe restriction that is causing the short-term weight loss -- not the hormone.
Research Findings
Most research conducted on the efficacy of the HCG Diet was conducted in the decades immediately following Dr. Simeons' study. The studies overwhelmingly found no support for the claims that HCG injections were effective in treating obesity. A key review article, published in May 1983 in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal," pointed out that almost all of the major studies carried out in the 1970s found HCG ineffective. The Food and Drug Administration requires labeling on HCG products stating that scientific evidence does not support its use for weight loss or fat redistribution.
Risks
HCG can produce unpleasant side effects including fatigue, headaches and male breast enlargement, according to MayoClinic.com's Jennifer K. Nelson, RD, LD. The extremely low caloric intake is also a concern because your body isn't getting all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs. Sugar, carbohydrates and dairy foods are not allowed in the diet. Not getting enough calories and nutrients puts you at risk for developing gallstones, nutritional deficiencies and other health problems. Any weight loss occurring while on the diet will likely return as soon as you stop following the restrictive eating plan.
References
- "Canadian Medical Association Journal"; Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is of No Value in the Management of Obesity; C. Laird Birmingham B SC, MD, FRCP[C], Kevin C. Smith, B SC; May 1983
- "The Western Journal of Medicine"; Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the Treatment of Obesity; Frank L. Greenway, MD, George A. Bray, MD; December 1977
- MayoClinic.com; HCG Diet: Is It Safe and Effective?; Jennifer K. Nelson, RD, LD; June 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Controversial Weight Loss Treatment May Have Contributed to the Early Death of 1950's Film and Recording Star Mario Lanza; January 2010
- "US News & World Report"; HCG Diet Dangers: Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?; Angela Haupt; March 2011
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