There is a relatively new/old fad weight loss diet that is producing weight loss of up to 1 pound or more per day. Actually this is a diet that first appeared in the 1950s but is making a comeback, and is now known as the HCG diet.
This diet causes the body to think it is pregnant, and is being used by men and women alike. So far, users are delighted with the results. Is there reason for concern?
This is an extreme diet. Dieters are permitted to eat only 500 very regulated calories per day. In addition, they either take a daily injection,use drops under the tongue, or use a compounded cream rub of HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy by the developing embryo.
The reason the diet works is, of course, because of the extremely low caloric intake, plus the body's interpretation that there is a baby that must be furnished nutrients, even at the expense of the parent. The few calories that are taken into the body, plus nutrients that are stored in fat rather than lean muscle cells, are funneled to the growing embryo.
Leading to the popularity of the diet is the fact that it does not attack muscle mass, but does drain fat cells of unwanted but nutrient rich adipose tissue.
The reason that this diet is so potentially dangerous, aside from the very low, near starvation, caloric intake is that the diet can cause vitamin deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.
Most dieters report that they do not feel hungry because of the HCG, and the way the body adapts to pregnancy. Of course, there is almost no chance, if you follow the prescribed diet and hormone regimen, that you will not lose weight.
If you choose to go the injection route, this diet can cost up to $150 per month, if you can find a doctor or medical facility that will administer the hormone injections.
The compounded cream rubs and under tongue drops are advertised all over the internet at competing prices. Again, you should be very wary of purchasing any type of hormones via the internet, when you really have no way of knowing exactly what you are getting.
Doctors, the AMA, and most medical practitioners do warn that this is a very dangerous diet. If you decide to go on this diet, be warned that it should be for very short durations only.
Resources: Wikipedia-HCG
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
