Are you looking for ways to lose weight quickly? While searching for such a diet plan, you must have heard about various "magic" diet plans on the Internet among your friends. One such diet that is being talked about by many people is the hCG Diet. It is said that you can lose 10-15 kilos in a month or two. But is this really that good and safe? Let's talk about this in a little more depth.
What is this hCG Diet?
Simply put, hCG is a hormone. To be precise, it is a hormone called ``Human Chorionic Gonadotropin''. It is produced in large quantities by the placenta in a woman's body during pregnancy. Did you know that a home pregnancy test checks for the presence of this hCG hormone in urine?
Medically, the hCG hormone is used to treat infertility and other hormonal imbalances. However, some weight loss drops, lozenges, and sprays sold online and in stores contain synthetic hCG. The hCG diet involves eating a very low-calorie diet, such as 500 calories a day, while taking these hCG products.
The makers of these products claim that this method can speed up your metabolism, reduce hunger, and help you lose a lot of weight quickly. But the truth is, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of hCG for weight loss. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against its use. This type of diet, which involves extreme calorie restriction, can be very dangerous.
Does this method really work?
The history of the hCG diet dates back to 1954. It was first introduced by a British doctor named Albert TW Simeons. He was treating boys who were severely obese due to a rare hormonal disorder called `(Fröhlich syndrome)`. At that time, he observed that when these children were injected with the hCG hormone extracted from the urine of pregnant women, they lost weight, especially in areas such as the stomach, hips, and thighs.
Based on that idea, he created this diet to lose weight quickly by consuming 500-800 calories a day and taking hCG injections daily. However, many studies conducted on this topic since then have proven that the hCG hormone has no ability to reduce hunger, lose weight, or burn fat.
A 1995 analysis of 24 studies confirmed that there is no scientific basis for the claim that hCG causes weight loss.
Researchers also found that instead of injecting hCG into obese people, they got the same results when they injected them with a placebo. This means that the weight loss on this diet is not due to the hCG hormone, but rather because the body is starving itself by eating very little, like 500 calories a day. For this reason, even major medical associations recommend against using this method for weight loss.
What you can and can't eat on this diet
On this diet, you don't get to eat much. There are only two main meals a day: lunch and dinner. Each meal should only have one type of protein, one type of vegetable, one type of bread, and one type of fruit. Look how restrictive it is.
| Food type | Approved foods (can be eaten) | Forbidden foods (cannot be eaten) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Lean beef, chicken (breast), white fish, shrimp, crab, lobster (grilled or boiled). | Salmon, tuna, mackerel, dried fish, mackerel, pickled fish. |
| Vegetables | Spinach, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, red potatoes, celery, asparagus. | Starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes. |
| Types of bread | One breadstick or melba toast. | No other type of bread, buns, rice, etc. |
| Fruit | One orange, one apple, a few strawberries, or half a jambalaya. | High-sugar fruits like bananas and mangoes. |
| Beverages | Water, coffee, tea (without sugar). You can only have one tablespoon of milk per day. | Sugar, sweet drinks. |
| Oil / Butter | Absolutely not. | All types of oil and butter are prohibited. |
The dangers and risks of the hCG diet
The biggest problem with this diet is the risks involved. Let's see what they are.
Possible side effects of hCG hormone
Although not approved for weight loss, some side effects have been reported when hCG injections are used for other conditions. These include:
- Allergic reactions
- Mood changes
- Acne formation
- Facial hair growth
- Headache
- Swelling in the body
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort
The dire consequences of calorie restriction
Imagine how difficult it is to live on 500 calories a day. This is not only difficult, but also very dangerous. When you eat less than 1,200 calories a day, you are not getting the vitamins, minerals, and protein your body needs.
Doctors sometimes recommend a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) for people with conditions like obesity and high blood pressure, but only under the close supervision of a doctor. Following this diet as they see fit can lead to serious health problems.
- Gallstones: This risk increases with rapid weight loss.
- Electrolyte imbalance: The levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which are essential for nerve and muscle function in the body, may become unbalanced.
- Abnormal heartbeat: This is a serious condition that can even be life-threatening.
Also, the amount of protein provided by this diet is much less than the daily requirement of the body. This can also cause problems such as muscle weakness.
Take-Home Message
- There is no scientific evidence that the hCG diet causes weight loss. The weight loss is not due to the hCG hormone, but rather due to extreme hunger.
- This is a very dangerous procedure. There is a high risk of serious side effects such as gallstones, heart disease, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Never try a dangerous diet like this just because you saw it online or because someone told you to.
- If you want to lose weight, there are safer, healthier, and more sustainable ways to do so. Consult your doctor for proper advice. He or she will recommend a diet plan and exercise program that is right for you.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න