The HCG Diet: A Fearful Fad

HCG (human chorionic gonatdotropin) is a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Since it is only present during pregnancy, this is the hormone that is detected in the urine or blood for a positive pregnancy test. In fact, hCG levels double in the mother's body almost daily until hitting peak levels around 14 weeks of pregnancy. hCG prevents the disintegration of a structure in the ovary called the corpus luteum, thus maintaining a pregnancy. If hCG levels fall early in pregnancy, a miscarriage will result.

Since hCG is a gonadotrophic hormone, it prompts genital development when in the presence of tissues that are sensitive to its effects. In fact, hCG has been used to treat delayed adolescence or genital development in boys, as a fertility drug, as a treatment for low testosterone / progesterone levels, and has even been abused as a means of an alternative to anabolic steroids.

It is hypothesized that hCG is in highest quantity when the female will be the most likely to not know that she is pregnant, thus ensuring that the developing fetus will acquire the nutrients that are needed even if the mother is not consciously ensuring proper nutrition for her baby.

The Mechanism

The hCG diet is an "extreme" when it comes to fad diets. It requires that the individual take an injection of 125 IU (International Units) of hCG daily (except during menstruation) until 23 injections have been given. Until the third injection has been reached, the individual does forced feeding - meaning that they gorge on fatty foods to ensure that normal fat cells are filled to maximum capacity. After the third injection, only 500 calories are consumed each day until 3 days after the final injection.¹

Thereafter, for a period of three weeks, all food are allowed for consumption except starch and sugar. Then, a gradual addition of starch can be added in small quantities.

If the individual has not lost significant weight or begins to regain weight, the entire process can be repeated four times. The diet protocol requests that there is a break between injection therapies as the human body will become sensitizes to hCG and will become ineffective if used in succession.

The gonadotrophic hormone hCG, under normal pregnancy conditions, stimulates the fat cells in the female body to release their nutrients to guarantee that a developing fetus receives the calories and nutrients necessary for growth. In effect, hCG sets up an "insurance policy" that ensures that the developing fetus receives its necessary nutrients to grow if the mother is not adequately consuming them.

During an hCG diet, the hormone acts on the dieter's body to release stored fat, thus providing the body with the needed calories to survive the day. The 500 consumed calories virtually allow the dieter to not experience hunger, but does not do much to supply needed nutrients. Once the stored fat reserves are burned, the calorie consumption must increase in order for the individual to survive - one cannot survive on a 500 calorie per day diet.²

The Problems

First, the body needs balanced levels of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to function properly. When any one of these nutrients is cut out, the metabolism of the body requires adjustments that can actually cause more harm than benefit. With low carbohydrate consumption, the body enters into a state of ketosis, a dangerous and possibly life-threatening state that taxes the liver and causes significant destruction of muscle tissues - tissue that are needed to actually lose weight!

Food intake is more than just calorie content! Calories are just a measurement of heat - anything that can burn has calories. Tar from the street has calories; the chair you sit on has calories; your computer screen has calories. Calories come when food is consumed. The more important factor is nutrients. One can consume 500 calories and not receive the needed nutrients that the body needs to function properly - magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, and a plethora of phytonutrients that do not even have names yet! It is more important to eat nutrient dense foods instead of counting calories. Whole and raw fruits, grains, and vegetables are excellent sources of excellent nutrition and are great for losing weight.

The hCG Diet requires no modification of eating or exercise habits. Thus, when the diet is terminated (which it always will be), the weight will just "creep" its way back onto the body. If not lifestyle modifications are made through nutrition and diet, no long-term effects will be realized.

Artificially messing with hormones is a dangerous business. When it comes to artificially tweaking hormones of the endocrine system, I always state, "You mess with bean, you get the whole burrito!" The risks of interfering with your hormone levels can be detrimental. Since hCG is a gonadotrophic hormone, it can cause problems in the proper functioning of the gonads (testes and ovaries). Some serious side-effects that have been noted with the hCG Diet include: blood clots, headaches, restlessness, depression, swelling, breast tenderness, water retention, and a life-threatening condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can cause abdominal bloating, weight gain, decreased urination, and difficulty breathing. hCG is also known to cause birth defects if used while pregnant!

Conclusion

The proven method for proper weight and a healthy lifestyle is a diet of whole foods (non-processed foods) coupled with regular exercise. Do not take part in attempting the "fad diets," but take time in learning how to improve your overall health, wellbeing, and lifestyle by learning real nutrition and practicing healthy exercise habits.