As obesity statistics climb yearly, an explosion of extreme diets promises fast, effortless pound-shedding aided by supplements meant to accelerate weight loss. Among the most hyped is the HCG diet, claiming participants rapidly slim down via dangerous starvation dieting paired with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) drops, pills, or injections. HCG represents a hormone created by the placenta during pregnancy playing a crucial developmental role.
After delivery, HCG levels naturally decline as no longer essential. Yet a debunked 1950s theory suggested trace amounts of supplemental HCG could trigger abnormal fat metabolization in non-pregnant people when coupled with extreme 500-calorie daily dieting. Today, exploding obesity rates drive new consumer interest in turn losing big fast aided by HCG supplements. Diet clinics and med spas push pricey prescription HCG paired with proprietary starvation diets as quick-loss remedies. Over-the-counter homeopathic HCG drops and pellets also flood e-tailers and pharmacies with bold weight loss marketing claims despite containing no actual HCG hormones.
Research reveals about HCG diet drops
Per 2022 endocrinology research, no evidence shows supplemental HCG uniquely “melts” or mobilizes fat stores versus dangerously low-calorie intakes alone during active weight loss attempts. Experts affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine and Mayo Clinic have independently concluded nothing supports HCG stimulating special fat-burning processes apart from known effects of semi-starvation on metabolism. In clinical testing, patients limited to 500 calories daily lose large amounts of weight with and without HCG due to sustained near-fasting. Thus modern medicine attributes reported short-term slim downs predominantly to health-harming starvation mechanisms rather than magical fat metabolism exclusive to added HCG as claimed in advertisements.
Safety concerns- Health risks of 500 calorie diets
Experts warn sticking to 500 calories daily typically equals just one-quarter of the minimum adult daily nutritional requirements. Animal research shows extended nutritional intakes this low lead to muscle loss, organ damage, and even death over time. Further, low caloric states prompt body water weight and muscle mass loss well before tapping actual fat reserves for energy. Early rapid weight reductions on the HCG Diet Edmonton stem from shedding water bloat plus lean muscle, not body fat. Once inevitable diet lapses occur, dramatic rebounds take place as retained water and lowered metabolisms quickly regain lost pounds. Thus multiple experts affiliated with Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and UCLA argue insufficient evidence confirms that added HCG drops or supplements provide additional advantages either for short-term loss or long-term weight management apart from known effects of semi-starvation alone.
Safe usage tips from diet experts
Mainstream dietitians and weight management physicians argue insufficient proof supports over-the-counter HCG supplements aiding safe, maintained fat reduction versus sensible lifestyle measures alone under medical guidance. But for those insistent on attempting short-term HCG diets, experts strongly emphasize crucial harm reduction measures:
“Very low calorie diets should only be attempted under frequent medical supervision due to associated health risks,” urges Dr. Rekha Kumar of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. “Routinely monitor vitals like blood pressure and hydration status. Supplement electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals to counter nutrition deficits and watch for clinical warning signs like fatigue, dizziness, or irregular heart rhythms indicating urgent diet cessation.”
