 What is hCG  History of the diet  Types of hCG  The diet  Meal plan  Is it legal  Proponents  Opponents  Does it really work  Conclusion

 Human chorionic gonadotropin  Comprised of 244 amino acids  A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy  It can be found in the urine of pregnant women  It is said to decrease appetite, mobilize fat deposits for energy and reset metabolism

 First used as a dieting aide in the early 1950’s by Dr. Albert T. Simeons a British Endocrinologist  While treating boys with low testosterone levels Dr. Simons found that they also had lost weight  The diet made a come back in 2007 by Kevin Trudeau

 Injections › Doctor prescribed › Cost anywhere from 500 – 1000 dollars  Drops › Doctor prescribed › Cost anywhere from 50 – 250 dollars  Homeopathic drops › Illegally sold › Contain little or no hCG

 Consumption of hCG  Calories a day  Low carbohydrate low fat  High protein  Followed for 3- 6 weeks › Women can not use hCG while menstruating but are to still follow the diet.  With a average weight loss of 20-30lbs

 Breakfast: Any quantity of Tea or coffee without sugar. One tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours  Lunch:1. Meat: 100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. Remove all fat before cooking Boil or grilled Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. Chicken breast must be removed from the bird. 2. Vegetable: One vegetable from lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, onions, basil, cucumbers, green beans, celery, radishes, and asparagus 3. One breadstick one piece of Melba toast. 4. Fruit: One apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries or 1/2 of a grapefruit  Dinner: Same choices as lunch

 hCG is not legal a weight loss supplement  FDA banned it in 2011 saying there was not proof that it had any affect on weight loss and the low calorie diet was unhealthy and dangerous  It is legal in its main use in fertility treatment  It can be prescribed by a doctor however, it must come with a disclaimer

 Gastrointestinal problems  Fatigue  Gallstones  Heart arrhythmia  Doesn’t provide enough essential amino acids, vitamins, or minerals  There is not scientific proof  Long term affect on hormones like progesterone and estrogen  Leads to hair loss  Water retention  Ovarian hyperstimlation syndrome  And blood clots  Does nothing to improve bad eating habits

 You can lose weight rapidly  Maintain lean muscle mass while losing fat  Prevents health conditions like obesity and diabetes  Improves the immune system

 Studies show that hCG has no real affect on weight loss  In the studies those taking hCG and those taking a placebo had the same outcomes  Most professionals believe that any weight lost while on the hCG diet is due to the severe calories restriction and have nothing to do with hCG

 hCG is not a new thing it has been around for many years  hCG has no real proof backing its claim to weight loss  It is illegal to sell homeopathic hCG in the US  There are many adverse side effect to the diet some could be fatal

Robb-Nicholson, C. (2010). By the way, doctor. I've been trying to lose weight for a long time and nothing seems to work. What do you know about the HCG diet?. Harvard Women's Health Watch, 17(9), 8. Kiefer, D. (2012). FDA vs HCG diet supplements. Integrative Medicine Alert, 15(1), 5-6. PR, N. (2013, January 31). About HCG Injections Posts HCG Diet Testimonial by HCG Shot User. PR Newswire US. Quinn, B. (2012, February 28). Beware of the hCG diet. Monterey County Herald (CA). implications/ starving- pregnancy-hormones/story?id= #.T6Ce_quLOHc

Amanda Jones