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hCG Diet

hCG Diet Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!

A controversial diet that calls for hormone injections.

Top Rated Diets of 2024
What is it?

The hCG Diet is a weight loss plan offering a hormone that is said to reset metabolism during a very low calorie diet. The actual hCG hormone is only available via prescription, but different brands will offer a supplement version as well.

The same basic principles exist for whatever company that sells this hormone, one has to limit calories to just 500 a day. Often the hCG hormone is made available via a vial, which can be drank or injected. It claims to offer fast and effective weight loss. Our experts have reviewed countless diets and found the 18Shake Diet offers the best all-around weight loss solution. It’s made up of a natural weight loss diet pill and a meal replacement. They combine to offer hours of appetite suppression as well as fat burning. Discover more information on the 18Shake Diet via the link provided here.

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hCGDiet Ingredients and Side Effects

The actual hormone used stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone made by the embryo. Often companies will make an animal or synthetic version of this. It is created during pregnancy when a fetus needs protection.

It’s also been used to regulate normal testosterone function, and it has since been banned by many sports organizations.

The official diet was created by an endocrinologist named Albert T.W. Simeons, who believed that a 500 calorie diet alongside this hormone would result in weight loss without there being muscle loss. The American Society of BariatricPhysicians had this to say:

“There is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity”

“insufficient evidence supporting the claims that HCG is effective in altering fat-distribution, hunger reduction, or in inducing a feeling of well-being”

For a comprehensive list of the top 10 ranked diet plans click on the link here.

The FDA have also banned it, in an open letter to consumers they said:

“steer clear of these “homeopathic” human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products”

“have not been approved by the FDA, and that make unsupported claims”

The FDA also commented on the low amount of calories suggested:

“Living on 500 calorie a  day is not only unhealthy,- it’s hazardous”

“ Very low calorie diets are sometimes prescribed by health careprofessionals… medical supervision is needed to ensure that side effects are not life threatening”

The dangers of such as diet are:

“may not be getting enough vitamins, minerals, and- most critically- protein”

Since using this hormone for weight loss is no longer an accepted medical reason by the FDA, any sites which sell a homeopathic version will often add unrelated ingredients. The original hCG however has the banned ingredient which has not been proven to be an effective solution for weight loss.The link here has a comprehensive top 10 list of  the highest ranked diets.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.

hCGDiet Qualityof Ingredients

The sole active ingredient is a growth hormone that the FDA has banned due to safety concerns. The 500 calorie limit a day diet is also not recommended, as health organizations do not consider than a safe weight loss solution. It will likely reduce weight since one is receiving so few calories, but this can lead to side effects and a loss of muscle. It’s also highly likely that which such a low of calories allowed, that there will be nutritional deficiencies.

Since you cannot receive the actual hormone for weight loss, it’s no longer accepted as a solution for weight loss. It’s also only available via prescription, and only to treat fertility issues but not for weight loss. Using them for other reasons not specific can be potentially dangerous, especially when using the 500 calorie a day diet. Web MD has this to say:

“uncomfortable to live on just 500 calories a day, it can be dangerous”

“It’s impossible to meet all your nutritional needs on so few calories”

One would have to supplement with some sort of vitamin and mineral complex to help support the body. Still, restricting calories this much is often only advised for people under strict watch of a medical professional.

Any type of extreme calorie reduction will likely result in some sort of weight loss benefit, but it’s not considered a safe or long term solution.

The Price and Quality of hCG Diet

The hormone is no longer available for prescription use, and any brands selling it are distributing an illegal product not recognized by the FDA.

It’s unknown what the price is as sales of it are meant only for women with fertility issues. The FDA has since sent at least 6 warning letters to companies who sell and market this hormone for weight loss. There are some companies that use the same name of hCG, but instead offer a mix of amino acids which are legal but not same. However, these businesses are using the popularity of this name to promote their own products.

A list of the highest ranked top 10 diet plans is made available in the link here.

The Mayo Clinic also adds:

“Side effects have also been reported with the HCG diet and include fatigue, irritability, restlessness, depression, fluid buildup, and swelling of the breasts”

It’s because of this that they say:

“there are safer ways to lose weight”

The overall risks make this a very low quality weight loss strategy. As you’ll read in the “Customer Opinions of hCG Diet”, many people who used it for weight loss have described it as a poor solution.

Business of hCG Diet

Any businesses that sell this diet plan are in violation of the FDA’s policies for safe products. It’s not considered to be a useful hormone for weight loss. Medpage Today adds that business who still sold this were in violation and that:

“the FDA and FTC threatened to forcibly halt their operations”

A spokesperson for the FDA added:

“is not FDA approved, it cannot be sold legally”

Any business one might find that market this diet plan are illegally selling a potentially harmful product. There’s far too much at risk, and any sales of this will often only be for fertility, not for weight loss. Any recommendations made for weight loss are illegal, and should be of concern as this can result in a fine.

EDITOR’S TIP: The top 10 list of the best diets is available here.

Customer Opinions of hCG Diet

There are very few reviews available since this diet plan has been banned since 2024 by the FDA. Here are some select quotes from some users:

“My blood pressure shot up, flushed skin… very scary”

“I felt terrible: headaches daily, weakness, dizziness, nauseated”

“Would not recommend this to anyone”

“have horrible leg cramps and I’m hungry all the time”

There were people who mentioned that they didn’t notice any reliable weight loss, and that they had to quit the diet early due to side effects. This includes symptoms such as headaches, restlessness, fatigue, mood swings, inability to relax, migraines, flushed skin, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, and much more.

Many of the listed side effects are common in people who use very low calorie diets. People often mentioned that it was unsustainable, and they couldn’t live on this diet for a long time. The comprehensive top 10 ranked diets list is featured via the link here.

There were some that did see a change in weight, but they also add how they quickly regained it as soon as a regular diet was consumed. People were also concerned with the 500 calorie limit, since there was no additional support on how to maintain this extreme limit. This is why it will often require medical support for those reducing calories to 1,000 or less.

Conclusion - Does hCG Diet  Work?

The hCG Diet is a now defunct solution for weight loss that has since been banned by the FDA. It’s made up of a hormone and it suggests reducing calories to just 500 a day. There are studies which have shown even when it was legal, that using  this plan was not effective and potentially unsafe. This is why it is now banned and seen as a potentially dangerous weight loss diet. The majority of users that tried it before the FDA 2024 ban did mention it was poor, and that it left them hungry, with side effects, and without any weight loss.

Our experts have found that the most overall effective solution for weight loss is the 18Shake Diet. It’s made up of a meal replacement shake and a stimulant free diet pill. The benefits include appetite suppression, increased metabolism, boosted fat burning, improved mood, and many other benefits. Customers often say it’s a potent formula, and testimonials and reviews are available on their official website.  There are no added fillers, stimulants, binders, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or cheap ingredients added to either the meal replacement or diet pill.

The 18Shake Diet is also supported by a full 30 day money back return policy. This risk free return is offered with no questions asked for the entire 30 days. To learn more information about the 18Shake Diet click the link here.

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(Page 16 of 25, 489 total comments)

FitReady

Kudos to everyone who did through Turkey Day!! Unfortunately, I was unable to. =(

Starting again today (12/03/10) with a commitment to no cheating and no excuses.

posted Dec 3rd, 2010 8:02 pm user comment

ashmore

+

I just started the weekly HCG shot. However, I have noticed that after urinate I tend to get really sweaty for about 15 minutes after and my face gets red. Anyone else have this side effect? Maybe it's my body just detoxifying?

posted Dec 2nd, 2010 4:24 am

Lisa

+

This diet works. I have done 3 rounds so far and in between on maintenance have never gained the weight back. I am down to 175 from 230 and feel great.

Boredom can be an issue but you can do anything for a month.

I used the injections.

posted Dec 2nd, 2010 1:44 am

Astrid

+

I've started this diet on Saturday November 20th and so far, I've lost 13.8 lbs.
I didn't cheat once, not even on Thanksgiving.
It's very very hard, I'm hungry all the time, but the first days were the worst. Especially because my husnband isn't on a diet.

My breakfast is tea, at noon I eat an apple or some strawberries with melon and blueberries and an hour leter I eat 6 ounces of shrimp of chicken breast.

Same for dinner.
I also substitute lunch or dinner for homemade chicken soup, that also contains leeks, carrot, celery and onion, and I lose wieght anyway, almost a pound a day.

I keep using facial cream, body lotion, make-up and it doesn't seem to affect the wieght loss.

I use real HCG drops, not the homeopathic or shots. It cost $100 for 2 weeks, but I think it's well worth it! The pounds are melting away. After 1 week, I could already wear my new jeans that were 1 size down!!
I'm very excited about the diet, don't have any side effects, except headache on the first day.

posted Dec 2nd, 2010 1:05 am

Marie

I hope this isnt another scam. I'm going to try the drops....keeping my fingers crossed.

posted Dec 1st, 2010 3:47 pm

Brian

+

54 year old male, lost 27 pounds in 21 days. MOST importantly; Blood pressure dropped 30 points; glucose form 157 to 97. Dangerous my ass. I was a ticking time bomb. THIS PROGRAM WORKS!!! And these side effects the talk about they can put in their ear. I'll take them, vs a stroke or diabetes

posted Dec 1st, 2010 5:37 am

Kathy D.

+

This has been the only diet that works for me. It has me diciplined and loosing weight all the same time.

posted Nov 29th, 2010 8:03 pm

Missy

First of all, I love how, pretty much, the only idiots who criticize this diet are the ones who have never done it. I mean, seriously? Is this, like, what you do when you get bored? Run along, now. Surely there is a chat room or something just loaded with losers just like you that you can talk to.

Now, for all of those who matter...I used to be able to do the starvation thing Monday through Friday, eating about 500 total for the 5 days and then I would binge on the weekends. That actually worked out quite well for me and it was immediately after having my daughter. However, once I hit 30, weightloss suddenly became impossibe!!! So, I had a co-worker tell me that she was on this diet and having success thus, like most skeptics who think this is a scam, I figured that if you can lose the weight with the drops, you can lose the weight without them. For 5 days I ate only 500 calories and I did zumba and became more active. First 3 days I lost 4 pounds, the next two, I gained 3, even eating just the foods that you eat on this diet. That was miserable. So, I talked to my Dr. who told me I should do this, ordered the drops and got started. Being that I am only on my 4th day of this diet and the first 2 were my gorging days (and OMG! talk about someone who can eat her weight in food and think nothing of it! Gorge, I did!) I admit that I am no expert. What I can tell you is that after only actual days of dieting, I have lost 8 pounds. Yeah, 2 days. 8 POUNDS! Just to make sure we are clear, let me put it to you like this: Day 1, lost 4 pounds. Day 2, lost 4 pounds. Now, I am sure that when I wake up tomorrow, I will not have lost another 4 pounds but I am equally as sure that I will still have lost. I know this diet isn't for everyone but, personally, I feel absolutely fantastic. My mood has improved, I am more energetic and I can actually think a little more clearly. I am not saying that it's because of the drops because even when I did the 500 calories prior to getting them I felt great. Now, don't get me wrong. Fat people like to eat, hence, the reason we are fat so I would probably give my left leg for a pizza right now without screwing up my progress but it's not like I feel as though I am starving, because I don't. And, quite honestly, I believe it's nothing more than a mind thing with me.....I want it because I know I can't have it but, if I could have it, I would refuse it. For all of those who have questions about where to go to get this, from what I can tell in the reviews I have read on both this site, as well as others, the hcg shots don't work as well as the Homeopathic hCG drops, which is what I am taking so, why spend more money for less satisfaction? I got a 90 day supply of drops with free overnight shipping and a 90 day money back guarantee (as long as you returned all but 7 days worth of the drops - free return shipping, by the way) plus an additional $10 for your trouble at officialhcgdietplan.com. They are BBB accredited and with a guarantee like theirs, it's not like you would be losing anything, except some unwanted weight. Plus, for 90 days, it was only $129.

Now, I probably don't eat as much as I should because I am addicted to coffee and I have to have cream, which is 10 calories per tablespoon, so I usually only eat 150 grams of meat, 2 peices of melba toast and half of a grapefruit once day...sometimes, not always (I usually eat twice and skip the coffee on the days I am off of work) but I refuse to eat after 5:00 pm. I do some hula hooping because you can burn up to 100 calories in 10 minutes, tone your abs and have fun all at the same time, so think about trying that, too. And, I had another co-worker who told me she couldn't lose weight because of her thyroid condition so she tried this diet. She did 30 days, took off for 1 month and then did 15 days. She lost 50 pounds and has yet to gain so much as a pound of it back.

For those of you who have been unsuccessful, not successful enough or who have gotten ill from this diet, you're probably doing something wrong or what you're taking isn't what you were told it was. I would check the ingredents and be more cautious and do a little more research when ordering something like this. Or, it could just be that you're weird or something, I don't know. However, I wouldn't dismiss it just yet. Try ordering from the website I listed because so far, my results have been beyond anything I could have imagined and, if it still doesn't work, you can get your money back and all you have wasted is a little bit of time.

Oh, and one more thing for those of you who are considering this diet...don't hold back on the days you are supposed to binge, thinking that doing so will help you. It won't; it will hinder you. Right now your body has become accustomed to burning x amount of calories regardless of what you do. When you start these drops, whatever you eat within the first two days is going to be what your body believes it needs to continue burning on a regular basis instead of the next to nothing it was burning before. I ate a stuffed crust bbq pizza, box of cookies, bag of hershey kisses, bag of reeses cups (the big bags), oatmeal, cereal, pie, turkey, potatoes, and a 2 liter of coke...and that was just the first day! Admittingly, I did gain 3 pounds during those 2 days. However, as I mentioned before, I used to binge the same way every weekend and I gained at least 7 so 3 wasn't so bad and I have to give credit to the drops.

My last peice of advise is this: do NOT start this diet until you are absolutely ready to be dedicated to it. As you may have read in some of the other reviews, messing up one time will set you back 3-4 days which, for most people, will cause frustration and it will just be one more thing you give up on. This diet takes determination, will power and dedication. If you are all 3 of those things and tired of breaking a sweat when you turn over in the bed, then this diet is for you. The reason I am reading/writing reviews right now is because seeing the success of others encourages and inspires me and gets me excited about what I am doing all over again. So, if you start this diet and feel like you're going to give in to your urges, try coming back here and reading some reviews. Maybe that will help you, too. Good luck, everyone!

posted Nov 29th, 2010 5:38 am

Maria

I now mainly use it - when i see my weight creep up - above 155. I'm 5' 6" tall - I started taking the shots last Monday, 11.10 when i was at 158... Today, I'm at 151.5. That because i cheated a couple of times this weekend. It wasn't anything big, anything you put in your mouth counts.

posted Nov 24th, 2010 6:55 pm

Maria

I've been HCG diet plan like four different times in the past 2 years... It works great each time! However, I wasn't aware that after 40 days - I stopped loosing weight. My 1st doctor never warned me of the plateau - she kept selling me the product at $300 per month plus the $12 b12 shots per week. After the 2nd month you need to stop taking and maintain. Wait and month before returning back on it.

posted Nov 24th, 2010 6:50 pm

FitReady

+

Woohoo!! On Day 2 of the 500 calorie phase and I've lost 5 pounds. I was a dork and didn't do the "fat loading days" right, I did the loading without the drops. LOL

Small oversight but still great results. Even loosing inches, 2.5 inches to date.

Can't wait to see how the next few weeks progress.

posted Nov 24th, 2010 3:22 am user comment

Kim

NOTE TO ALL: if you're taking the oral drops wack the bottle a few times then hold the drops under your tongue for 30-60 seconds. Don't eat within 15 minutes of taking the drops or have anything minty or garlicy(including toothpaste) within 30 minutes of taking the drops.

posted Nov 23rd, 2010 10:09 pm

FitReady

Starting sublingual HCG & B12 tomorrow (11/22/10) and will follow program to a tee. Got mine through GNC which was a fraction of the cost compared to the clinics.

My sister paid $800 for HCG & B12 shots over 2 months, cheated and still achieved great results. She lost 20 pounds in 2 months. Great for her considering she has 4 kids and was trying to loose the baby weight since Baby #2.

posted Nov 22nd, 2010 4:57 am user comment

Julie

+

I did a 42 day rounf on drops, lost 22lbs. Could have lost more, but cheated twice. Better not to cheat as it sets you back 3-4 days before you lose again. I'm on my last week of mnt., and plan on loading on Thanksgiving, YUM! I am really kinda excited to get into those size 8's. Good luck to all!

posted Nov 19th, 2010 10:54 pm

Shan

Well I just started hcg diet today...but Im not sure how to prepared my meals ( like I work 8:30 4:30 and I get two breaks plus breakfast in the morning) and dinner Im not sure how to set my time schedule and when I take the drops do I just squeeze and drop or squeeze in and out the whole 6times? I know I might sound krazy but I just want to make sure Im doing it right not overtaking to many drops or not enough....

posted Nov 18th, 2010 5:39 am

Shan

Well I just started hcg diet today...but Im not sure how to prepared my meals ( like I work 8:30 4:30 and I get two breaks plus breakfast in the morning) and when I take the drops do I just squeeze and drop or squeeze in and out the whole 6times? I know I might sound krazy but I just want to make sure Im doing it right not overtaking to many drops or not enough....

posted Nov 18th, 2010 5:37 am

shannon

Well I just started hcg diet today...but Im not sure how to prepared my meals ( like I work 8:30 4:30 and I get two breaks plus breakfast in the morning) and when I take the drops do I just squeeze and drop or squeeze in and out the whole 6times? I know I might sound krazy but I just want to make sure Im doing it right not overtaking to many drops or not enough....

posted Nov 18th, 2010 5:34 am

Pittfan

Ruby I just finished my last day of the drops yesterday. I used HCG Platium anf purchased it from GNC. I thought well if GNC will guarantee some else's product I would give it a try. Plus if you sign up for there store card not a credit card then the price comes down from like $91 to $71 for a 30 day supply. I am happy with my weight loss so far of about 18 pounds.

posted Nov 18th, 2010 2:27 am

Nina

Anybody knows where is the hcg taken from? I know the hcg is produce from pregnant women but how are actually the homeapatic drops made?

posted Nov 15th, 2010 11:54 pm

Holly

I started the hcg diet 2 weeks ago at 181 lbs. I am now 165! This stuff is amazing. I don't even feel like eating, infact I almost forget to and have to force myself to eat the little I am supposed to.

posted Nov 15th, 2010 7:42 pm


 

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QUICK FACTSQUICK FACTS Start the Diet Now Advertisement
  • Established: 1950s
  • Founder: Dr. A.T.W. Simeons
  • Accessibility: Injections and drops
  • Diet Type: Extremely low calorie along with hCG drops or injections
  • Gender: Male and female
  • Celebrity Endorsements: Snookie (Jersey Shore), Jenni Farley, Britney Spears

Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

See our interview: hCG Diet Reviewed by FullBar's Dr. Michael Snyder

A potential diet supplement administered through injections or oral drops, the hCG Diet is a very controversial weight loss method. HCG stands for the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin, which is the same hormone that is produced by women in their early stages of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the surge of this hormone signals the hypothalamus in the brain to start moving nutrients and fat into the placenta. When used as part of a weight loss program, it is the fat-mobilization aspects of the hormone that has garnered attention for its seeming ability to help facilitate weight loss.

Even though the FDA has approved hCG shots for fertility reasons, there is no scientific evidence that shows the hCG Diet can significantly promote weight loss. Although it is used in conjunction with a very low calorie diet, any weight loss that occurs is likely to be due to the reduced caloric intake rather than the hCG shots or drops themselves.

Many side effects have been shown in those who take hCG shots for weight loss. Blood clots, depression, headaches and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women have all been cited as common, and even deadly, side effects associated with hCG use. HCG drops avoid the inconveniences of a daily injection, but no clinical studies have been conducted to determine if hCG drops have any change in side effects.

Typically, the hCG Diet lasts for three weeks and is monitored by a health professional.

PROPRO
  • May promote weight loss when used in combination with a reduced calorie diet

CONCON
  • Not considered safe
  • Weight loss is more likely to due to extremely restricted caloric intake rather than injections or drops
  • Weight loss is temporary
  • Side effects can be very serious. According to the Mayo Clinic, side affects associated with hCG include fatigue, irritability, headache and male breast enlargement.
INGREDIENTSINGREDIENTS

hCG injections and drops contain the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin.

ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION

An injection of 125 iu of hCG is administered daily or a daily dose of oral drops.

DIET and EXERCISEDIET and EXERCISE

Those who use hCG injections to lose weight must also follow a very strict diet that amounts to no more than 500 calories a day.

For the first two days of the injection you are allowed to eat excessively. Following the third injection, you must adhere to the 500-calorie diet until 72 hours following the last injection given. Sugars, very sweet fruits, processed foods and heavy starches are not allowed.

An hCG Diet protocol outlined by advocate Dr. A.T.W. Simeons looks like this:

  • Breakfast: Coffee or tea with artificial sweetener and one tablespoon of milk. Lunch is 100 grams of lean meat, poultry or fish in addition to one low-glycemic vegetable like spinach, celery, cucumbers or cabbage. One Melba toast and one fruit like half of a grapefruit or an apple is also allowed.
  • Dinner is the same as lunch.

In addition, shots of apple cider vinegar can be taken as a daily supplement. Products and make-up that contain any fatty substances like mineral oil or almond oil cannot be used.

Websites dedicated to promoting the hCG Diet contain recipes and additional protocol information and tips.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

The hCG Diet is highly regimented and a very controversial weight loss program that involves the administration of either hormone injections or oral drops coupled with a very low-calorie diet. Popular amongst steroid users and those daring and desperate to lose weight quickly, the hCG Diet is not a weight loss program that is readily endorsed by health and medical professionals for its obvious flaws and real risks for dangerous side effects.

Common MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

HCG, hgc diet, hormone diet, pregnancy hormone diet, hcg injection diet, Human Choriogonadotropin diet

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