The New
hCG Diet – Lose 1lb a Day
Is
the hCG Diet Safe or a Dangerous Fad?
The
hCG diet is sweeping the globe. According to those who follow it, with hCG diet
drops, you can lose weight, contour your body by shedding fat in all the right
places and still feel great.
Weight
loss of 1-2lb a day is the often-quoted figure, and there are A LOT of dieters
who back that up as being more than a realistic goal. Others claim the hCG is a
fad, and, even worse, possibly dangerous. So, what is the truth of the matter?
First,
let’s look at:
How
Does the hCG Diet Work?
hCG
(full name, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone produced by women
during pregnancy that controls both their weight and the health of their
children. The plan combines drops of hCG with a 500 calorie per day diet. The
hCG drops not only act as an appetite suppressant, but help the body shed
stubborn fat in the areas of the body where usually it is the hardest to shift.
hCG blasts fat in key trouble areas like the upper arms, stomach, thighs and
buttocks, while preserving muscle.
The
diet itself is quite lenient and easy to follow within those 500 calories,
though dieters are encouraged to choose organic meats, vegetables and fish.
Foods to be avoided are carbs, dairy, alcohol and sugar.
More
Information on hCG Drops
There
are typically 3 phases to the hCG diet plan:
Phase
1 (usually lasting 2 days) – take hCG drops under the tongue 3 times daily, but
eat normally.
Phase
2 – follow the diet protocol, restricting calories to 500 and following the
guidelines regarding the proper balance of proteins, fruits and vegetables.
This phase lasts for between 20-45 days. Advocates of the diet report that the
restrictive diet combined with hCG literally melts away unwanted fat during this
period, without hunger pangs or loss of energy.
Phase
3 – gradually reduce intake of the hCG drops and gradually increase consumption
of food.
Unlike
several diets, it is important to note that dieters on the hCG diet report that
once the weight is off, it stays off once they return to normal eating.
Why
The hCG Diet Works
The
history of the hCG diet actually dates back to the 1950s, when Dr A.T.W.
Simeons (who was researching the hormone in India) noticed that poor pregnant
women, who would be considered malnourished by western
standards, still
produced healthy, well nourished babies.
Following
continued studies, he discovered that HCG made the body consume ‘bad fat’ first
when the body sensed it was on a low calorie diet. Muscle and ‘healthy fat’
would be preserved, while unsightly, unwanted fat would be used as energy.
Which
is Best, hCG Drops or Injections?
The
short answer to this question is that as long as they are real hCG, it doesn’t
matter. There are so many fake hCG products around that it can be somewhat of a
minefield to know where to go next. It’s definitely worth going with a
reputable company to get your hCG supplies.
However,
the choice between hcg shots and drops is largely down to personal preference.
At Diet Supplement Review, we prefer hCG drops simply because they are more
convenient and cost effective – no messy, painful shots to administer yourself,
or daily visits to a doctor required.
Dr
Oz Testimonials
Although
the hCG diet is still very controversial, there are several success stories
over at the Dr Oz website.
“I used the HCG diet in August last year & it worked great for me. I didn’t feel hungry, enjoyed the food & had more energy. I only wanted to lose 10kgs & did so in 23 days & have never put it back on. Was great!” – CH
“It has been working great for me! I am down 21lbs in 32 days! Feel great! High energy and feeling better about myself!” – NRD
“My sister had has great results and it has lasted, plus her energy level and attitude on life has become more positive. My niece also had great results. They used the drops and the diet.” – JM
“I have used HCG clinically for over 8 years with patients, I have never come across side effects, and have always found the program to be successful. At the end of the day like any weight loss program the emotional issues associated with weight gain should always be addressed for long term lasting change.” – Dr DM