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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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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 21 of 25, 489 total comments)Jenn
+I'm on day 26 and just finished taking the drops. (I purchased online from an FDA regulated US facility.) I lost 18.5 lbs. I followed the diet almost exactly and was hungry for the first three days and then the hunger subsided. I got sick of eating the limited amount of food, but otherwise the diet has worked very well. I now start the third phase on Friday and hope my metabolism has reset!
posted Jun 1st, 2010 12:19 pmMel
-I'm sure there are always diets that work for some and not others.
posted May 31st, 2010 1:26 pmSo to all that are insisting that you TRY this before you "diss" the diet----I DID try it, under medical supervision through a "natural" doctor. I had explained to the doctor that I had tried everything; personal trainer with diet, Weight Watchers, Lindora, tenuate (which worked GREAT---once!), and couldn't lose the last 15 pounds. She told me "I was perfect" for the plan bc of the injections melting the fat, blah blah and that I wouldn't be starving.
Not only did it not work--AT ALL---I was ABSOLUTELY starving to the point that the first 2 days after the binge days, I was dizzy, starving, cranky, starving, had my stomach practically eat itself, and did I mention starving? My uterus swelled up like I was 5 months pregnant and I normally have a flat stomach even after 2 kids.
I was miserable. The doctor ordered some natural appetite suppressant which helped a little but I did not feel satisfied eating 3 oz of bland chicken and "all the veggies I want." WOW! Really, all the veggies---YUM! If I were satisfied with all the veggies I want I wouldn't have 15 pounds to lose!
When I told my OBGYN about my experience he advised me the diet and injections are rubbish. He added that of course my uterus is swollen---I am taking a pregnancy hormone.
I am now off it and doing Jillian Michael's program---safe and sensible.
Save yourself the $500 and consultation fees. If this program works for you, great. I certainly did not work for me and I regret flushing my money down the toilet.
Kerry
+I highly encourage anyone who has gained a significant amount of weight in their late 30's early 40's to absolutely try this diet! I had tried EVERYTHING as I'm sure you all have and HcG WORKS! Previous comments are correct, you are not hungry and you still each 2 veggies, 2 fruits, 2 proteins, and 2 carbs a day. Biggest Loser diet suggest 4 servings of fruit & veggies a day...Hmmm that looks the same to me! Anyway...don't knock it til you try it... I have done TONS of research and have modified. If you have any questions, please let me know.
posted May 30th, 2010 10:47 pmAbby
lydia....how did you lose that much did you eat less then 500 calories or did you drink more watter?
posted May 25th, 2010 6:41 pmdjw
Ive gained 5 lbs per year over the past 3 years, which I attibute to aging and a slowing metabolism because I eat healthy and exerice (ok not as much as I used to), and want to loose 15 lbs before my high school reunion, are hcg injections for me? do I need a doctor or can I do this on my own? I dont mind injecting myself.
posted May 25th, 2010 8:53 ammarie
I am 58 and mynhuband is 59 years old. We choose to use hgc diet with a local Dr. My husband has lost 38 lb and I have lost 40 ld. with no side effects. I have read alot about this diet. I havent seen any thing saying what the side effects were. I have read alot of people saying they thought it was dangerous. I going back on the shots in July. I hope that I will lose 30 more pounds. I something goes wrong we will let you know.
posted May 24th, 2010 12:08 amjjj
i need to know how it works. i had a baby 8 months ago. i need to lose 15 pounds
posted May 18th, 2010 10:09 pmjam911
i really wish that everyone that is against this diet to please post the negative actual fact!!
posted May 13th, 2010 1:13 pmthe HCG which is a natural hormone that we develop already is being injected in our blood system that makes a person release the stored fat in there system. Then we are eating 500 calories along with it.. On this diet, i promise you that you will not be hungry!!!
If any person that try to eat 500 calories while not injecting the HCG will be extremely hungry and probably pass out..
Everyone that dis this diet does not know the facts they are assuming to there natural instinct of thinking they are smart and there is no way this diet can succeed.
We are not burning Muscle!!! not one but.. we are not putting our selves in starvation mode cuz in reality our bodies have 2500 calories a day.
This protocol is resetting your hypothalamus..
A matter of fact.. We don't have to prove anything to anyone.. if you don't want to believe it and your against it.. just leave us people alone that are succeeding it..
No matter how we try to explain how the diet works. you all have your mind set..
So really its a loss cause..
Melissa
t apart from the 500 calories ingested daily, the HCG is releasing about 2000 calories back into your bloodstream as energy on a daily basis. Very different from just starving yourself. Ppl on this do not feel hungry on this diet for that reason.
posted May 13th, 2010 3:47 amLisa
Are you people who are insisting that this diet works on something? I mean seriously...the review isn't saying that this diet doesn't work. Just the opposite, actually. It DOES work, because you're only eating 500 calories a day. Anything below 1200 is a starvation diet. Why don't you search anorexia, too, and see if THAT works as a diet? It's basically the same thing. I looked up this diet because I want to convince my sister to stop it--it sounds dangerous and scary. I doubt she'll listen to me, so I just hope that these bad things don't happen to her. Healthier (not to mention FDA-approved) ways to lose weight exist...seek those out before you do something so extreme and potentially damaging.
posted May 12th, 2010 1:15 pmLaRee
Nichole- I have also noticed the change in the color of urine..I read that stored fat is released thru your urine and that might be it.. or I am taking the multi Vitiman that they provided and that might be it also.
posted May 12th, 2010 11:10 amNichole
I Started the HCG Diet just recently i am on my 4th day, and i was wondering if there is any change in anyones urine for example very yellow and if they pee more frequently.
posted May 11th, 2010 3:21 pmAbbie
There is a HUGE difference between those that are chubby because they are lazy, and those that are chubby because of a disease or some other thing that can prevent them from looking better. I, for one, have been eating healthier and excercising for a LONG time, but i have Hypothyroid AND I'm on birth control which seems alot harder for me to lose weight. I just bought the drops and I'm definietly nervous to start this diet because I have read negative and positive feedback, BUT I only need to lose about 15 pounds, so doing this diet for a few weeks isn't as bad as for the rest of your life. And OF COURSE if you do a diet and then go back to eating out, you are not going to keep the weight off. That's just common sense. If you go to dailyburn.com I have been able to track what I eat and how many calories, protein, carbs and others. This will help with managing your weight once you get off HCG. It's helped me lost 5 pounds because of watching what I eat. But once again, Losing 20 pounds total for me can take years. It's been 5 months and so I only lost 5 pounds in 5 months, where as for others it can take a week to lose 5 pounds. That's why I want to try HCG Because I have not been where I want to be at weight-wise since I was 18. I'm now 24. It's hard because of my disease but i DO eat healthy and i DO workout. So let's not consider every one "lazy", I'll keep you updated on results.
posted May 9th, 2010 10:08 pm1morebite
As for Michelle I too was diabetic type 2. I have only just finished my first round of 40 days, when I was 25 days into I went to my doctor who said I no longer needed to take my metformin or my byetta, Now that it has been 40 days, I am waiting to have my A1C checked to see if I am borderline, or have just managed to control diabetes though diet! Good luck to you.
posted May 5th, 2010 5:54 pmMichelle
I have read many reviews, My question is I have diabetis 2 has anyone tried this diet that has diabetes? is it dangerous? Any feedback would be appreciated.
posted May 4th, 2010 9:45 pmMelissa
Is it still effective if your not eating exactly how they want you to? Also ladies, is birth control highly recommended on this? I know they give women who are trying to get pregnant HCG but I think in higher quantities?
posted May 4th, 2010 8:13 pmLynn
-I know people who did this in the 70's and still are well and slim. I and many neighbors and friends have used hcg over the past 3 years and there has not been a single health issue. some regained but they both went back to fast food so it's not surprising. btw, I've been an organic health nut for 20 years.
posted May 1st, 2010 5:52 pmjam911
LIz maybe you went to some one tat was not good. did you load up with fat for the first 2 days and did you eat properly.. sometimes if you dont load well you will be hungry the first few days but it will go away.
posted Apr 29th, 2010 3:40 pmjam911
i cant wait to start.. my loading day will be saturday and i will be doing Injections I did my research and I am doing it!!! everyone that has something to say are the ones that never tried it. As woman we produce this hormone and people who are trying to conceive is given this injections in a way MORE amount than what we are taking it in the same way.. Anyway. Congrats on the ones that have loss weight and i will be on the band wagon this weekend, I cant wait!!
posted Apr 29th, 2010 3:37 pmcatcat
+Actually, Liz (from April 11 post) there are doctors who endorse this. I had never even heard of it before my OBGYN- a highly trained doctor- suggested it. It is medically supervised and blood work is a component. I paid waaay less, only $115 for a month! I have lost over 40 pounds, never hungry and have tons of energy. I have never felt better in my life! For me and several of my friends, this diet is a true miracle!
posted Apr 28th, 2010 12:09 pm