Having curves and being irresistibly fit have become very essential in today’s definition of healthy. This is the reason why many men and women resort to more than just the usual daily exercise. They go for slimming products – from tablets and pills to injection of fluids – which all claim dominancy and effectiveness in either burning fat, eliminating toxins or increasing the speed of metabolism. One particular diet has become a word of mouth in the health industry. Not only because some medical specialists found it to be effective, but also because it comes from a unique source.
Known around the world as hCG diet, this unique way of increasing metabolism has had its fair share of the limelight, during its prime back in the 1950s when Dr. A.T Simeons first discovered it until now when people are still eager to find the best diet plan to lose weight. However, numerous users have experienced the negative effects of the diet and researchers strived to seek answers to these concerns. Unfortunately until today, the dangers of hCG dieting are still difficult to be remedied. Because of this, hCG diet remains in question. Yes, it has proven effective in terms of losing weight but it has also proven dangerous and unhealthy to in-takers.
Beginnings of hCG Diet
Human Chondionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that is present in both men and women and produced by the placenta of a pregnant woman. This substance is responsible for controlling the metabolic functions of a pregnant woman.
Then in 1950, after years of research, Dr. Simeons found that this substance can function as an appetite suppressant and help with low calorie diets. He found that his patients can keep a diet with just 500 calories a day without being hungry. Dr. Simeons concluded that it would be effective; however, there are dangers that he failed to identify – dangers that more and more people experience as they get indulged in the idea of the hCG diet.
The Dangers of hCG Diet
hCG diet works similar to other slimming pills, also involving a very low calorie diet (VLCD) accompanied by hCG, taken either orally or through injection. It has been found that someone who is on an hCG diet can be found to lose between 1 to 3 pounds a day! But although this sounds extremely appealing, hCG diet has been an issue in the health and nutrition and has been a subject of debate over more than half a decade now. Here, we listed a number of dangers that we intend to inform you so you can take a moment to rethink whether hCG is worth risk or not.
Physical Strains
Almost all diet pills have their own negative effects and for hCG, the most common effects are complications of the body. These are nausea, headaches, blood clots, restlessness, leg cramps, constipation which may lead to temporary hair thinning, and depression. For males, hCG could cause enlargement of the breasts while for females, it may cause a feeling similar to pregnancy – swelling, tenderness of breasts and water retention.
Very Low Calorie Diet is Absolutely Dangerous
Did you know that the right amount of calories that a body needs is equal to 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day for women and between 2,000 and 4,000 for men? Anyone who’s on a diet will only look to take 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day. hCG diet is one of the more famous forms of crash dieting because it also demand an hCG dieter to literally starve him or herself in order to only take 500 calories a day or just 25% of what is truly needed by the body! A normal body needs the right nutrition (vitamins and minerals!) to be able to function well every day. Without this nutrition, the person is most likely to feel week and get sick easily.
It has also become a question if one can eat normal (with enough calories) again after a few weeks of hCG dieting. Researchers said yes but it is more likely that you will regain pounds as quick as you had lost them.
Risk of Having Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Any woman who is taking an hCG diet is at risk of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), a serious condition wherein ovaries can swell and leak fluid into the abdomen as a result of over stimulated hormones. Almost 10% of people who take hCG diet gain OHSS. Fluid buildup will make one feel uneasy and could lead to severe pelvic pain, swollen body parts, shortness of breath, kidney failure and electrolyte imbalances. In some cases, individuals also gain weight rapidly of up to two pounds a day!
hCG Diet is not FDA Certified
It is also important to let you know that hCG diet is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until now, despite being in existence since 1950s. FDA claims that hCG diet is not tolerable because it does not promote a healthy diet plan. In fact, FDA wished for the manufacturer to put a disclaimer, saying that the hormone has not been approved by the FDA as an appetite suppressant. Because of this, anyone using this diet is even more at risk.
Other dangers of hCG that are claimed by its user all over the world is the risk of buying unsafe injections overseas and even out of state as hCG can be bought online. It is also dangerous to administer hCG injections without the supervision of a medical professional. To ensure that you don’t take more than the required dose, make sure that you get help from your health physician.
With all these negative effects, would you still say that hCG is the right slimming option for you? With all the risks that have been found over the years, would you say that your health worth all these risks? Think before you purchase hCG pills or fluids, and spare yourself from experience all these side effects! Contact your health advisor for the appropriate diet plan that will suit your needs.