HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is produced inside the placenta of a woman during pregnancy. The HCG hormone is required throughout the pregnancy to support a number of functions and ensure the fetus develops to term.
Outside of its naturally occurring status, the HCG hormone can be extracted from the urine of pregnant women and be used to treat infertility. It has been know to trigger ovulation in women and increase the level of testosterones and sperm in men.
Most recently however, this hormone has been used as part of a weight loss programme called the HCG diet. Salespeople are touting it as the easiest and quickest way to lose vast amounts of unwanted fat, although it has most health professionals questioning the dangers of such a regime.
While using HCG for weight loss continues to grow in popularity, the US Food and Drug Administration receive countless reports of health complications triggered by the protocol. To begin with, injecting the HCG weight loss hormone into your body ushers in warnings of abdominal discomfort, indigestion, nausea, mood changes and tiredness.
Another reason to steer clear of the HCG shots for weight loss is the fact that long-term studies have yet to be performed. Developed in the 1950’s by Dr Simeons, and only recently re-popularized by Kevin Trudeau, the HCG diet and its variety of protocols has not been in use long enough for any objective study by a credible agency. At this point in time, we don’t know whether or not there are unseen HCG diet dangers which could cause long-term harm to your health.
Accompanying the HCG injections for weight loss is a VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet) that includes a piece of fruit, meager portions of veal, beef, chicken breast or fish, alongside a small list of vegetable options. Oh, and a piece of Melba toast. Such severe restrictions on food can cause malnutrition leading to long-term organ damage. Low blood pressure and energy levels can leave the dieter feeling tired, moody and irritable, unable to handle the challenges of their everyday life.
What’s worse, especially for a person committed to ideals of body weight, is the de-stabilization of the body’s metabolism. In fact, after the substantial weight loss of the first week (predominantly water stored in the body) the dieter’s metabolism will slow down and adjust to the limited calorie intake. The body quite naturally switches to ‘conserve energy’ mode and it doesn’t as easily trust the message to pick itself back up again when the dieter returns to a standard calorie intake. It is then more than likely that any weight lost in this way will return, and then some.
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