Injections That Help With Weight Loss

In the endless quest for quick and easy weight loss, people in growing numbers are turning to injections to help shed excess pounds. HCG hormone and vitamin B-12 injections are at the forefront of this new weight-loss phenomenon, but there is no conclusive evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments. Studies have shown that these substances does not actively promote weight loss or burn off calories. Nutritionists, researchers and doctors agree that the best way to lose weight is to follow a healthy diet and do some form of exercise on a regular basis.

Vitamin B-12 Injections

• According to Mayo Clinic registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, vitamin B-12 injections do not do anything to stimulate or provoke weight loss. This is also true of vitamin B-12 supplements in pill form or derived naturally from certain foods. Vitamin B-12 is mainly responsible for supporting healthy eyes, hair and skin, and is also necessary for proper neurological functions. The idea that vitamin B-12 injections can lead to weight loss may have resulted from the fact that the vitamin helps metabolize fat in the body. Yet, the ability of vitamin B-12 to help metabolize fat does not translate to an ability to quickly burn off extra fat.

HCG Injections

• Injections of the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) have grown in popularity in recent years due to their promise of promoting weight loss. The hormone is produced during the early stages of pregnancy. Some people believe that injecting this substance into the body can accelerate weight loss; however, evidence suggests that the injections are not any more effective than a simple placebo. In fact, researchers at the Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University in South Africa concluded there was no point in using HCG injections to initiate weight loss or aid in the fight against obesity.