HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. It is a hormone created by a woman’s ovaries during ovulation or by the placenta during pregnancy. Although higher levels are produced during pregnancy. The hormone has been used for the treatment of infertility in women and low sperm count in men.
HCG drops and supplements have also been touted to promote weight loss for years. But the claim still remains controversial. The FDA approved the drugs for fertility treatments alone. But many continue to buy HCG in the USA for weight loss treatments. It is available in several online stores.
People’s claims about HCG drops
According to people who promote HCG drugs, you can lose weight by taking this hormone supplement. By combining the drops with an “ultra-low-calorie diet,” you can restart your metabolism to shed up to one pound in a day. Even though you lose this much weight, you would hardly go hungry or feel weak.
These claims are supposedly based on the fact that HCG communicates with the hypothalamus. That is the part of the brain that regulates hunger, thirst, and metabolism. Through this communication, it can become a weight loss agent.
The controversy about HCG drops for weight loss
Several scientists have stated that the supplement does not contribute to weight loss. An ultra-low-calorie diet is what results in losing a lot of weight. According to Jefferson City medical group, the low cravings you experience while taking HCG supplements are attributable to the “higher protein intake and low/zero carbs.”
Despite these controversies, HCG drops have many supporters who give testimonies about their safety and effectiveness.
What to expect when taking HCG drops for weight loss
HCG diet drug promoters claim that the drugs restart metabolism, enabling it to quicken the fat-burning process at an accelerated rate. The drops and supplements are usually sold with specific dietary instructions. These instructions are divided into three phases:
Phase 1 – Loading
This is supposedly a preparatory phase. The user is to prep their body for weight loss by eating foods with high calories and fat. The amount of fat and calories should amount to over 2000 grams per day in this phase. The user also begins taking the drops.
Phase 2 – Weight loss
This amount of calories per day at this phase drops between 500 to 800. This can go on for six weeks, depending on the user’s weight loss goals.
Phase 3 – Maintenance
During this phase, the user would have achieved their desired weight. They would slowly discontinue the drops and raise their calorie intake per day. With time, they may slowly increase their calories to about 1500 grams.
The diet plan is sure to make you lessen your cravings and make you lose weight as desired. But as mentioned, there is no evidence that the HCG drops contribute to this. The FDA warns that people should avoid HCG diet supplements and only take the drugs if prescribed by a doctor.