Is It Dangerous To Undergo The HCG Diet?

Over two thirds of adults in America are either obese or overweight. Not too surprising then that many fortunes have been made coming up with fad diet crazes.

One of the most currently popular weight loss programs today is the HCG diet program. It means human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a common hormone seen in pregnant women ensuring proper baby nutrients. The diet’s safety is unclear as to whether there are substantial risks or not, and plenty of physicians deem it be extremely safe, resetting metabolism to lock in weight loss after allowing one to two pound loss daily.

HCG tells the hypothalamus in the brain to start breaking down fat and using it for the body’s fuel. Because of the release of fat, individuals are actually getting thousands of calories every day, not just in their dietary intake.

No long scale research studies have been completed looking at HCG program. The diet has HCG administered either under the tongue (sublingual), or by subcutaneous injections each day for weeks. The restricted diet with the program can be as low as 500 calories daily. While on the diet, most patients simply are not hungry.

Some physicians have modified the calorie restriction up to 800 to 1200 calories to avoid malnourishment. Most physicians with patients on the HCG weight loss program offer nutritional support with nutraceuticals and vitamins.

The HCG hormone works by releasing fat, not muscle, along with diet restrictions from alcohol, soda, and carbs. Typically 30 days of treatment is provided, then a few weeks break, the another month of HCG treatment.

Right now the diet is very popular. The FDA has warned that it is illegal to sell homeopathic HCG for weight loss reasons since it’s not officially approved for that. The FDA did not state that HCG is dangerous, simply that there’s no good evidence as of yet for its weight loss effectiveness. There exists research on both sides of its effectiveness, with some saying hCG is no better than placebo for weight loss.

The HCG side effects can include blood clots, leg cramping, hair thinning, headaches, and constipation. The full risk profile is unknown, which is why further research is indicated. Right now the on label indication from the FDA is for infertility.

One big concern is whether the severe calorie restriction can lead to electrolyte imbalances, gallstones, and bone or muscle loss. This is why it is so needed to receive routine doctor follow ups and nutritional supplements to make sure the patient stays healthy during the diet.

Want to find out more about weight loss in Arizona, then visit Phoenix Integrative Medicine’s site on how to choose the best weight loss clinics in AZ for your needs.

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