Flu-like Illnesses Caused By The Hcg Diet

Extreme calorie restriction and daily injections of the human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, hormone are the major requirements of the HCG diet. While weight loss is possible on this diet, it is because of the calorie restriction and not because of the HCG injections. In fact, injecting yourself with HCG might even cause negative side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, though it is not likely to cause an actual flu-like illness on its own.

HCG

HCG is a hormone that encourages the release of an egg and promotes the proper growth and development of an embryo after it has been implanted in the uterus. Once you become pregnant, your HCG levels increase significantly to support the growing baby. If you use the HCG diet as a weight loss tool, you are required to inject yourself with 125 milligrams of HCG each day. The claim is that the HCG will prevent you from breaking down muscle for energy, which can encourage significant weight loss. The hormone might also cause negative side effects, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against using weight loss aids that contain HCG.

Flu-Like Symptoms

The long-term effects of the HCG diet have not been studied, which makes it possible that flu-like illnesses might develop years into the future. In the short term, using HCG can cause side effects, such as restlessness, headaches, depression and an increased risk for blood clots. Women who use HCG as an infertility treatment can develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, all flu-like symptoms. Because HCG is one of the hormones responsible for morning sickness, you might experience nausea that can be mistaken for a flu-like symptom as well.

Calorie Restriction

While it is unlikely that HCG injections alone can cause a flu-like illness, the calorie restriction can cause flu-like symptoms. According to the "Journal of Nutrition," in a 2006 study, protein-energy malnutrition can cause a depressed immune system. If you are restricting your calories to the recommended 500 to 800 on the diet, you run the risk of becoming malnourished, which can decrease the health and effectiveness of your immune system. As a result, you might be more likely to develop flu-like illnesses or flu-like symptoms.

Considerations

According to MayoClinic.com, the HCG diet is not safe. HCG has not been proven to be an effective weight loss tool and is not approved as an over-the-counter weight loss aid. If you are able to lose weight, it more likely to be because you are eating so few calories. Restricting your calories can be life-threatening and might cause an irregular heartbeat, the formation of gallstones and imbalance of electrolytes necessary for heart and muscle function. If you want to lose weight, speak with your doctor about safe and effective approaches. If you develop any symptoms after using HCG, call your doctor immediately.