Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin & Weight Loss

The use of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for weight loss has been controversial since it was introduced 50 years ago. The typical weight loss program using the hormone consists of a severely calorie-restricted diet along with injections of HCG. There is no evidence that the hormone has any effect on weight loss, and any results are due to the very low calorie diet.

Features

• Diets that use human chorionic gonadotrophin as a weight loss aid require the dieter to receive injections of the hormone. Weight loss clinics that offered the injection and a restricted calorie diet for weight loss first began in the 1970s.
  The proponents of HCG for weight loss claim that the hormone aids in weight loss and redistributes fat from the waist and hips of patients. The clinics also claimed that the hormone would cause the appetite to be suppressed.

Function

• Human chorionic gonadotrophin is produced in the body during pregnancy. It is the hormone that is detected in urine-based pregnancy tests.
  HCG is also used to increase the production of testosterone in male athletes.

Considerations

• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 1976 that tested the effects of HCG on 40 obese women. Half of the women were given a saline injection and placed on a 500-calorie diet and the other half were given an injection of HCG and put on the same 500-calorie diet. The study concluded that there was no difference between the group receiving the HCG injection and the group receiving the placebo.

Solution for Weight Loss

• The results of the study that concluded no difference between patients receiving an injection of HCG and a placebo did show the participants lost weight. However, the severely restricted diet was responsible for the weight loss experienced by the women in the study. The diet used in the study also carried the risk of protein loss and other health endangerment due to the lack of calories.
  A more effective approach for weight loss includes a well-balanced diet that eliminates or burns 500 calories each day. This results in a 1 pound per week weight loss, which is considered a safe and healthy rate.

Warning

• Clinics that offer HCG injections today for weight loss must provide patients with information regarding the hormone and weight loss. Books and clinics that falsely claim HCG will result in weight loss are misrepresenting the facts. HCG will not suppress appetite or redistribute fat on the body.