HCG Diet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

HCG is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body. HCG diet drops are a relatively new product based on the classic diet protocol developed by Dr. Simeons in the 1950s. The HCG diet protocol has been used by thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of people, to effectively tell the body to use stored fat as energy and help individuals lose weight.

Many people who hear of HCG diet drops and the HCG diet for the first time have questions. Following are some of the most common questions we hear.

Is HCG safe?

HCG diet drops are completely safe to take. HCG is a hormone naturally produced in women during pregnancy. Many pregnant women experience incredibly high surges of HCG with no adverse effects. Some HCG dieting products contain small amounts of HCG, with a correspondingly small risk of side effects. Other HCG dieting products do not contain any HCG, but are specially designed to mimic the HCG hormone, resulting in shedding of excess weight with no side effects from the HCG product itself.

Will HCG make men feminized?

HCG is a hormone produce by women during pregnancy. It's also used as a medication to promote fertility in women. A less well known use of HCG is to promote sexual development in boys with underdeveloped gonads. But regardless of HCG's uses, the amount of HCG that is used for weight loss is too small to have such effects anyway. Men will not become feminized by using HCG for weight loss.

Who can use the HCG diet?

Almost all individuals, male, female, old and young are able to use the HCG diet, with some exceptions. People who should not use the HCG diet include: those with a BMI less than 20, pregnant or nursing women, children under the age of 18, and anyone with serious health problems (for example, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, or type one diabetes). You should always check with a doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

Can I just get on a low calorie diet without HCG?

On the HCG diet, you will be eating just 500 calories a day while taking HCG diet drops. HCG diet drops are intended to decrease hunger and prevent common symptoms of very low calorie diets, all while recalibrating your hypothalamus and your metabolism. You can eat just 500 calories a day without taking HCG diet drops, but you will simply be starving yourself—it's miserable. If you go on a diet that has you eating more calories, you most likely will not lose as much weight. For best results, HCG and the 500 calorie diet are both required.

What about hunger on the 500-calorie diet?

Many experience no hunger at all on the HCG diet. Hunger can occur in the first week or two of the HCG diet; however, after about the second week, even very small portions will likely start to make you feel full. This is due to the huge amounts of calories your body is getting from its stored fat reserves. Hunger during the first week can often be eliminated by following the two initial loading days properly. Occasional hunger during the rest of the diet can occur, but there are strategies to deal with it effectively.

Why is there so much controversy over the HCG diet?

There are a few reasons for controversy. First, HCG has never been approved for weight loss. However, Dr. Simeons' diet has many thousands of success stories, leading doctors prescribe it to their patients off-label and encouraging dieters to seek out alternative products like homeopathic HCG. The bottom line is that the diet really works for many people.

Second, the FDA has recently declared homeopathic HCG to be illegal because HCG is not listed in the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoiea of the United States (HPUS). So watch out for any product claiming to contain homeopathic HCG. There are other, legal homoepathic products that are designed to mimic the function of HCG. These products are just as effective and are perfectly legal.

Third, the fact that the HCG diet is a very low calorie diet causes some heartburn among conservative nutritionists and doctors. But the truth is that very low calorie diets that provide high-quality protein and proper nutrition (like the HCG diet) have been shown to be perfectly safe for healthy individuals. The best HCG suppliers will provide multivitamin supplements along with the diet, as well as higher-calorie plans for those who need or desire them.

Finally, many individuals have known of weight loss scams and are skeptical of anything that might just be a fad. But fad or not, you can't argue with results. As with most things in life, there is no one size fits all diet. HCG works for a lot of people. Maybe it will work for you, too.