Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. It is often used in weight loss treatments, particularly as part of the controversial "hCG diet," which combines hCG injections or supplements with a very low-calorie diet (typically 500-800 calories per day).
The proposed mechanism behind the hCG diet is that hCG helps to mobilize fat stores, enabling the body to burn fat while on a severe calorie restriction. However, it is important to note that the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of hCG for weight loss is limited and largely inconclusive.
Here are a few key points about how hCG may work in terms of weight loss:
Fat Mobilization: Proponents of the hCG diet suggest that hCG may help the body mobilize fat from fat stores, making it available for energy, which could lead to fat loss.
Appetite Suppression: Some believe that hCG helps control hunger, which could make it easier to adhere to a very low-calorie diet.
Preservation of Lean Mass: The idea is that hCG helps preserve lean muscle mass while losing fat on the low-calorie diet.
Rapid Weight Loss: While many individuals report rapid weight loss during the hCG diet, this may be primarily due to the drastic reduction in calorie intake, rather than the hCG itself. Such rapid weight loss can result in the loss of both fat and lean tissue and may be unsustainable in the long term. However, sustainability of fat loss included MANY factors outside of just diet and supplements/medications.
Health Risks: The low-calorie intake required by the hCG diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, fatigue, and other health risks. The use of hCG injections or supplements also carries potential risks, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (in women), headaches, mood swings, and blood clots.
***Disclaimer to continue below: If you are a male, read the portion for both Women and Men. Likewise, if you are a female, please read the portion for both Women and Men as well. Both sections will provide insight as to why hCG may be more efficacious for males than females.
HCG for Women's Weightloss
Some women have reported weight loss and muscle retention with the use of hCG and the calorie-restriction diet. The theory is that hCG helps make fat stores more accessible during a low-calorie diet; thereby, enhancing fat burning. Additionally, one of the main challenges in any very low-calorie diet (VLCD) is hunger. The use of hCG is thought to help reduce feelings of hunger and support in adhering to a calorie-restricted diet by controlling appetite. While the body typically loses both fat and muscle during rapid weight loss, proponents of hCG claim that it helps preserve muscle tissue while promoting fat loss. The idea here is that by preserving lean muscle, the individual’s metabolism stays higher, and the weight loss is more sustainable.
HCG for Men's Weightloss
Some men have reported weight loss and muscle retention with the use of hCG and the calorie-restriction diet as well. Anecdotally, men seem to have more of a benefit from this medication, but the reason may be due to the fact that hCG acts as a testosterone booster in men. In fact, hCG is similar in structure to Luteinizing Hormone (LH), a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. LH plays a key role in stimulating the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. When hCG is administered, it mimics the action of LH and stimulates the testes to produce more testosterone. When men have higher levels of testosterone, they experience increased energy, increased muscle mass, decreased abdominal fat, and better mood. As such, overall vitality in men is increased, which leads to an easier path to lose weight, gain muscle, and stay focused on the task at hand.
Summary
While some women may experience weight loss while taking hCG and/or on the hCG diet, it may be due to the severe calorie restriction rather than the hCG itself. However, there is evidence and theory that hCG will increase metabolism and suppress appetite; thereby, increasing the efficacy of diet and exercise and aiding in faster fat loss and muscle retention. For men, the medication in and of itself has a different effect altogether as it increases testosterone, the main “manly hormone” in men. As noted, this may be the reason men seem to experience more benefits with hCG – increased testosterone leads to more muscle, decreased abdominal fat, and increased energy. It is worth noting that most medical experts do not recommend hCG for weight loss due to the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness and the potential health risks associated with the diet itself if one is undertaking both the diet and the hCG injections.
Note: While some medications may not be recommended by the FDA or scientific evidence via research is not robust enough to indicate efficacy or mechanism of action, the medication in question may still be used safely and have benefit in specific patient populations. It is always advisable to talk to your physician before starting any medicine, supplement, or dietary program.
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