Is the Hormone Diet Safe for You?

Also known as the hCG diet, the Hormone Diet claims to promote weight loss with the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone--a pregnancy hormone that reportedly reduces hunger and stimulates the metabolism. Proponents of The Hormone Diet, including The Weight Loss Cure author Kevin Trudeau, claim it's the secret to beating obesity.

But numerous health experts, including Dr. Mehmet Oz of Oprah fame, claim the Hormone Diet isn't safe. It's even been labeled as a starvation diet by some, due to the extreme caloric restriction involved. Nutritionally, the Hormone Diet could be potentially dangerous.

Why the Hormone Diet Isn't Safe

The science behind the Hormone Diet is shady--there's never been any proof that hCG can promote weight loss. But the safety of this hormone isn't the concern here. It's the calorie-controlled diet you have to follow while taking this hormone.

According to WebMD.com, most dieters on this program can only consume 500 calories per day. There are also food restrictions, and what you can eat often lacks substantial nutrition. This is worrisome--not getting adequate nutrition could cause serious vitamin or nutrient deficiencies. In some cases, a prolonged nutritional deficit could cause malnutrition. People who are malnourished may get sick more often, feel lethargic and develop anemia.

A lack of calories can also have a severe impact on a person's well being. People who do not consume enough calories may enter starvation mode, a condition where the body burns the muscle's proteins as an energy source. If this process is prolonged for too long , the body may opt to burn its last sources of muscle protein, such as the heart. This may lead to cardiac arrest.

Starvation can also lead to symptoms commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder. People in starvation mode may feel colder more often, have a slowed heartbeat, feel tired, have trouble processing information and feel depressed. Women may be unable to menstruate and notice a diminished sex drive. Men may have trouble performing during sexual intercourse.

All of these potential problems could make the Hormone Diet unsafe, regardless of your age, gender or weight.

If the Hormone Diet Isn't Safe, How Do I Diet?

If you want to lose weight, the Hormone Diet could be unsafe. But there are other ways you can lose weight safely and effectively. Start by:

- Exercise regularly. National guidelines recommend exercising for at least 30 minutes a day for most days of the week. Consider mixing strength training with cardiovascular exercise--having more muscle mass increases your metabolism.

- Eat a well-balanced, calorie-controlled diet. At the very least, you should be consuming 1200 calories per day. It is highly recommended that you speak with a nutritionist about your caloric and nutritional needs.

- Stay away from unhealthy food choices. This includes fried, processed or junk food. Focus on wholesome food choices instead--the calories are lower and are more nutritionally dense.

- Stay hydrated. Sometimes the body may give off hunger signals when it's dehydrated. Make it a goal to keep a full bottle of water near you at all times, and sip, sip, sip.

Remember, there is no quick way to lose weight-weight loss is a reward that takes time and effort.

Sources:

Kathleen M. Zelman, "The Truth About HCG for Weight Loss" (WebMD.com)