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Home 
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How Does
hCG Diet Compare?
QUICK FACTS
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BACKGROUND
PRO
CON
INGREDIENTS
ADMINISTRATION
DIET and EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
hCG Diet?
Diets
Calorie Counting
hCG Diet Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
A controversial diet that calls for hormone injections.
Top Rated Diets of 2024What 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.
Do You Know the Best Diets of 2024?
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.
- Product Name
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- Easy to follow
- Cheap Price
- Fast Results
QUICK 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?
BACKGROUND
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.
PRO
- May promote weight loss when used in combination with a reduced calorie diet
CON
- 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.
INGREDIENTS
hCG injections and drops contain the hormone Human Choriogonadotropin.
ADMINISTRATION
An injection of 125 iu of hCG is administered daily or a daily dose of oral drops.
DIET 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.
CONCLUSION
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 Misspellings
HCG, hgc diet, hormone diet, pregnancy hormone diet, hcg injection diet, Human Choriogonadotropin diet
Featured Diets and Supplements
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User Feedback
(Page 17 of 25, 489 total comments)lively07
Just started and its great! Lost 10 pounds in the first 8 days and I'm really excited about the week to come. Who's excited about the next week of a diet???? If you have tried everything and struggled with the results - try this diet and watch the pounds leave quickly.
posted Nov 13th, 2010 1:49 amKATIE
+THIS DIET IS WONDERFUL
posted Nov 12th, 2010 9:35 pmI AM NOW ON MY SECOND 42 DAY CYCLE MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS 362 I NOW WEIGH 286 AND I AM STILL LOOSING
BRFORE I FOUND THIS DIET I WAS MAKING PLANS TO HAVE THE BYPASS SURGERY
THIS HAS BEEN A TRUE BLESSING FOR ME !
GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE WHO WISHES TO TRY
jamgirl
Re: Catherine:
posted Nov 11th, 2010 12:15 pmAfter your low calorie diet, there are 2 pahses that ease you back into normal eating. The first is where you eat whatever you want, in whatever amounts, just no sugar or start. Thats for 3 weeks. Then you starting easting sugar and starch back in. Your metabolism is MUCH higher and VIOLA you can eat normally again.
jamgirl
-Wow, try it before you knock it! HCG is amazing. Nearly everyone who has actually tried it (correctly) says it works wonder! Those who knock it havent tried it and/or have a vested interest in not having people try this *(i.e. the diet industry, whow wants you to try and fail over and over so they can keep raking in BILLIONS).
posted Nov 11th, 2010 12:12 pmAnd, the system was created by a Dr. in the 1950's= since the 1950's can ANYONE point to a single death or major injury caused by it?
Yes you EAT 500 calories, but you are releasing 1000-2000 calories of burned fat into your system, so your NOT on a starvation diet.
IF you use the drops correctly, there is no physical hunger. People however often have to deal with mental hunger.
I have yet to find ONE person who tried this, did it correctly and doesnt RAVE about it.
Dont knock it till youve tried it.
gigi01
I am starting today very excited. iam doing the shots on day 2 and Aunt flo just came to visit any thoughts about going ahead with Day 3 of injection?
posted Nov 11th, 2010 1:10 amRebecca
Where is the best place to get this stuff?
posted Oct 24th, 2010 12:10 amsediqua
+Here is the thing. This diet is not for everyone. If you are active, lets say, exercising at least 4 times a week, I would not recommend this diet. If you are already active, you are better off eating a balance meal, with carbs, along with caloric restriction. The results will be a lot better, sleeker firm body, with no violent fluctuations in weight, or adherence to draconian food choices. That being said, however, I do like the diet, and I did it to lose the first 25 pounds. I was so over weight, and did not get into the exercise habit of pushing myself to where my heart rate needed to be to burn fat. Not exercising, this is the perfect choice I think. But without exercising, you run the risk of gaining it back, because it so easy to fall off the horse. And once you fall off the horse, you are in disbeleif that the weight comes back on so quickly.
posted Oct 16th, 2010 6:40 pmIt pretty much works the best the first time. After that, its not as effective, because you lost a lot of muscle in addition to fat. After I was done with the protocal, I was lighter, but I was definitely flabbier.
I took a break from HCG. And being lighter, it was easier for me to exercise. I started running, and the increased activity made it easier for me to eat carbs, without any weight gain. Now, I pretty much eat whatever I want, and my body burns it off.
HCG did get rid of my appetite however, and now that I am exercising and eating a balance meal with carbs, my body looks a lot better. Its toned, and I amnot skinny fat, like I was on the HCG.
so if you have ALOT of weight to lose, and are not ready for hard core cardio to lose the fat, then do this protocal. But you have to be careful, because its so easy to gain the weight back on this diet.
Ashlee
+I have been on the HCG Oral Drop Diet for for 21 days and i have never felt better. I started at 137.8 and now i am 129.00 I cheated a couple times so i could of been farther along. The first week was really hard but after that it was a breeze. You really have to gorge the first two days that is very important because thathelp you get thru the first two days. I had two fruits, 2 starches, 2 meats two vegetables. i usually had a fruit in the morning and a fruit @3 and had lunch at 12 and Dinner around five. i still have a week left with the rate im going i will be down to 122 which is like 2 pounds from my goal weight! Love this !
posted Oct 13th, 2010 12:03 pmRojagert
-Typical "Holier Than Thou" Dr.s article about all the so called dangers of a particular substance...the same folks who whip out there prescription pads to write you out some over prescribed anti-biotics, meridia (now off market) phen-fen (now off market) and all the countless other big money prescription meds that have page long warnings and possible side effects. The best is Viagra...can cause SERIOUS side effects but it is one of..if not THE..most Dr. prescribed medicine.
posted Oct 12th, 2010 1:08 pmThe "not FDA approved" label is irrelevant. Most ALL nutritional supplements are NOT FDA approved to treat any specific condition or illness yet Drs constanty recommend them. Additionally, most Drs "OFF LABEL" prescribe many medicines which are not technically FDA approved for treating specific medical conditions.
If you are interested in the HCG diet, do some serious research. Get away from the BS scam ad website for fake HCG drops and get away from the promoters and the naysayers both.
If you use GENUINE HCG from a GENUINE medical Dr. then you will see the results.
Best of luck no matter what you choose:)
Esther
I just started this diet 4 days ago and I love it! the first day I did get a headache though but It was mainly because I didn't eat before I went to bed. I am 17 and I'm 193 pounds but I mainly weigh so much because I have excessively large breasts which I am desperately hoping that they will go down just a tad bit. I definitely recommend this diet.
posted Oct 12th, 2010 3:18 amCharlie
+This is my second week on the hcg drops. I think this is awesome, I have lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I was skeptical when my friend told me about it but now i am huge fan. Yes the 500 calories is kind of tough but I just make my food and measure it out for the week and put it in baggies in the fridge. I go out to eat but always get salad with no dressing and cut the cheese, carrots etc only get the grilled meat and veggies and eat it with hot sauce and always take half of it home. I am going to stay on the drops for 41 days and hope to lose at least 25 to 30 pounds. If you have will power you can do it. Fitting back into my old clothes feels so much better then any food tastes!! Set your mind and you can do it!
posted Oct 10th, 2010 11:22 amBri
question Darlene?
posted Oct 8th, 2010 4:17 amDid the surgeon say that HCG caused your father's blood clot ?
I read the possible side effects of HCG and I can't find any confirmed reports of blood clots connected with its use.
I take an aspirin a day to minimize my risks for clots regardless.
mom of 2
I am on day 8 of the 26 days. I have lost 12lbs so far. I am happy with my results but the calorie reduction is definately difficult. I consider quiting sometimes. but the bigger goal at hand keeps me motivated.
posted Oct 7th, 2010 12:58 pmDarlene Mitroff
-My father just finished his six weeks on this diet. He is currently in the hospital recovering from brain surgery after a blood clot in t the brain!!!! Read the side effects.
posted Oct 6th, 2010 10:50 amRuby
when i googled this diet, about 10 different websites popped up. Im trying to purchase the drops and want to give it a try but Im low on money as it is and dont want to overspend if there are cheaper deals out there. can someone please post me a link of where I can go to to purchase it!? Thank you!
posted Oct 5th, 2010 2:24 pmknightmom
+I started the HCG drops and diet in September of 2009. I lost 50 lbs and have kept it off. I decided to stop after I lost the lbs to see if I could maintain the weight loss. I noticed I had more energy and slept better than I had in years. I completed 2 rounds of 23 days and one 43 day round before stopping to see if I could maintain the weight loss. I returned to eating normal food, just not eating as much as I did before losing the weight. I would like to lose 80 more lbs and just ordered the drops again to continue losing. I have been off the drops for about 6 months. I had great success the first time and hope to have the same success this time.
posted Oct 5th, 2010 1:23 pmI have yo-yoed for years with my weight and this is the first time I actually feel a difference in my health after losing weight. I love chocolate and was eating it every day. I notice that I no longer crave sweets like I did before starting the HCG diet. It seems to have changed my taste buds. I eat very little fried foods and eat more baked, steamed and grilled foods. I notice the food really tastes good without being smothered in sauces and gravies. I eat very little bread, which I wasn't a bread lover before, so I really don't miss that. What I missed on the diet was rice and pasta. I have been eating it since I went off the diet and noticed that I fill up more quickly and can't eat very much of it. I have actually learned to eat a portion size instead of 3 - 4 portions sizes. I don't go back for seconds when I eat at home.
When eating out I ask for a go box as soon as they bring my meal and put half in the box for a take home meal. If I dine with my teenagers, we have begun ordering one meal and splitting it. We used to spend $500.00 - $600.00 on food and eating out for a family of 4. We now spend around $200.00 a month. I love saving all the money and using it for others things - like new clothes.
You will lose weight if you follow the instructions given and eat only foods on the list.
Good luck to all who try. I wish you all success.
Jody
+After years of bulimia, my metabolism was down to nothing. Even though I've not been bulimic for 20 years now, I still couldn't lose weight. This diet worked wonders to jump start my sluggish metabolism and even my doctor is supportive now. On the first cycle, I lost 51 pounds and then lost another 11 while on maintenance and eating 1800 calories a day. I'm starting a second cycle to lose the last 20 pounds. I look and feel marvelous and have learned portion control. Every other diet failed for me but this worked. If you can stick to the strict protocol and make it to maintenance, you'll be amazed at the results. If you do the homeopathic drops which I do, make sure you order through a reputable dealer. I've never had any problem with mine.
posted Oct 4th, 2010 4:24 pmcrystal
OMG this is my 3rd dY ON THE DIET AND i FEEL HORRIBLE!! NASUEA, LIGHTHEADED, BLURRY VISION, SHAKY! WILL THIS GO AWAY??
posted Oct 3rd, 2010 8:51 pmShawna
I have just started my 3rd round of the HCG diet. The first couple times I did feel hungry in the first week, but it eased up after that. I have ordered my hcg from all day chemist. I have also done both the oral and injectable hcg and have not noticed a difference in the rapidity of weight lose. Given that I am doing it for a 3rd time I obviously believe in this diet. I am having a hard time with the food being so restricted this time and think that I will add in broccoli as another vegetable. If you are like me and have little patience when you are not getting results, this is a great diet. I have had an extremely difficult time losing weight in the past and this is the only thing that has worked.
posted Oct 3rd, 2010 6:29 pm
+Shaddyanne
I have lost 24 lbs in 27 days. All the fat comes off of my hard to lose spots. I have a ton of energy, my skin cleared up, my hair and nails are stronger than normal and it is really easy after the first week. I sleep better and never feel hungry. It's hard to believe, but as long as you follow the diet and don't cheat you will lose weight fast. I use the drops.
posted Oct 3rd, 2010 12:52 am