Regarding 500 cals as being dangerous over a long period of time, On this protocal you are only allowed stay on the protocal for a maximum of 7 weeks or before if you lose 30lbs, and because of the natural hormone I am injecting my body is flooded with calories from the fat that is being release from my stored fat, so in fact I am not living on 500 cals. I feel great, NO lightheadedness or dizzy spells or any negative effects so far..You can continue to watch my posts which will be very honest, and see my progress good or bad.
Any one on the HCG diet?
- Thread starter kami2006
- Start date
Regarding 500 cals as being dangerous over a long period of time, On this protocal you are only allowed stay on the protocal for a maximum of 7 weeks or before if you lose 30lbs, and because of the natural hormone I am injecting my body is flooded with calories from the fat that is being release from my stored fat, so in fact I am not living on 500 cals. I feel great, NO lightheadedness or dizzy spells or any negative effects so far..You can continue to watch my posts which will be very honest, and see my progress good or bad.
For anyone who is interested here is the full article in Discovery Health, see what you think, its good to get the whole picture not just the risks! Every medication has to list possible side effects, even a pain killer!
In 1927, researchers discovered that pregnant women's urine contained a substance not normally present outside of pregnancy: human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. This represented the first modern pregnancy test, and to this day, we still check urine for signs of hCG to determine pregnancy. Doctors also look at hCG levels (among other factors) in pregnant women to assess risk of birth defect.
HCG may play many roles, but one function it performs is guaranteeing that a developing fetus receives the calories and nutrients it needs to grow, nearly independent of the daily caloric intake of the pregnant woman in those early developmental months. How does it do this?
We aren't ravenous for fatty foods for no reason. Our bodies like to maximize caloric intake in case lean times are ahead. In the case of women, excess calories tend to wind up in "problem" areas such as the hips, buttocks, abdomen and thighs. However, once pregnant, fat from these areas is released in the presence of hCG, and this fat then makes its way to the fetus. This way, if a woman doesn't consume the nutrients needed for fetal growth, her fat reserves will suffice. (Structural fat, such as that found in the face or layered beneath the entire skin, isn't affected.)
HCG is produced by a woman early in her pregnancy, and levels of hCG in the bloodstream peak at around 14 weeks. After that, levels gradually decrease. HCG's presence in a pregnant woman seems to occur in the timeframe when a woman would be least likely to know she is pregnant, and therefore least likely (especially in ancient -- and leaner -- times in human history) to be consciously trying to secure nutrients to sustain a pregnancy.
Furthermore, hCG was soon found to be gonadotrophic, meaning that it prompts genital development, and was soon used as a treatment for boys experiencing a delay in adolescence or genital development due to disorders of the pituitary gland.
It was during research in the 1930s when one doctor, A.T.W. Simeons, noticed that boys being treated with hCG for underdeveloped gonads were also able to lose excess weight by eating much less without any accompanying hunger pangs. Simeons' interest in hCG soon shifted to its potential as a diet aid, and after two decades of research, he published a paper touting its effects, and developed a dietary regimen for using the drug as a weight-loss tool.
Though subsequent hCG diets have tinkered with the elements, most programs hold pretty true to the original formed by Dr. Simeons.
Each round of treatment lasts a minimum of 26 days, and 23 of those days require a daily dose of hCG, either through injections or under-the-tongue drops. Treatment may last as long as 43 days (with 40 injections), unless a patient loses 34 to 40 pounds (15 to 18 kilograms) before the allotted time has passed. Patients don't receive hCG injections for the last three days of any treatment period so the hormone can cycle completely out of their bodies before they resume a normal diet. (It also takes about three days for hCG's effects to "kick in.")
Why stop after 40 days? Simeons noted that subjects seemed to develop immunity to hCG after 40 days and required a six-week break from the diet to fully resensitize to it. Simeons recommended no more than four total treatments, separated by breaks.
In addition to receiving the hormone, dieters are instructed to cut their daily intake of calories to just 500 a day, but not until after the third dose. Once the hCG is active in a dieter's body, its release of long-stored fat provides the body with the calories it needs to burn to get through a day (a day, it should be noted, without much exercise). As long as fat deposits are being released for use, the 500 daily calories being ingested is supposed to be enough to sustain the dieter without the crazy hunger pangs one would normally experience on a 500-calorie diet. Once a dieter drops the excess weight, the treatment must stop, because hCG only affects stored fat. Once that's used up, the body will quickly reject a self-imposed limit of 500 total daily calories.
Of the little food you can eat on the hCG diet, it's supposed to be high in protein and low in starches, carbohydrates and high-fat foods. Dairy, sugar and alcohol are forbidden, and if you goof up, you should spend the next 24 hours drinking water and eating six apples [source: Haupt].
The FDA has provided its stamp of approval on the use of hCG -- as a fertility drug. In your attempts to lose weight by tricking your body with the presence of a pregnancy-related hormone, your body may turn the tables and help you get pregnant. Within five years of its discovery, hCG was already being packaged and marketed to the public as a fertility drug. (If you're a woman who doesn't want to get pregnant, you should be extra-careful if you're taking hCG.)
If its safe for a Pregnant women and her developing fetus, I am happy enough with that, especially considering a pregnant woman's body produces 1000000 IU of hCG PER DAYand I'm only injecting 125IU, Yes 125IU's per day 6 days a week for 7 weeks
In 1927, researchers discovered that pregnant women's urine contained a substance not normally present outside of pregnancy: human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. This represented the first modern pregnancy test, and to this day, we still check urine for signs of hCG to determine pregnancy. Doctors also look at hCG levels (among other factors) in pregnant women to assess risk of birth defect.
HCG may play many roles, but one function it performs is guaranteeing that a developing fetus receives the calories and nutrients it needs to grow, nearly independent of the daily caloric intake of the pregnant woman in those early developmental months. How does it do this?
We aren't ravenous for fatty foods for no reason. Our bodies like to maximize caloric intake in case lean times are ahead. In the case of women, excess calories tend to wind up in "problem" areas such as the hips, buttocks, abdomen and thighs. However, once pregnant, fat from these areas is released in the presence of hCG, and this fat then makes its way to the fetus. This way, if a woman doesn't consume the nutrients needed for fetal growth, her fat reserves will suffice. (Structural fat, such as that found in the face or layered beneath the entire skin, isn't affected.)
HCG is produced by a woman early in her pregnancy, and levels of hCG in the bloodstream peak at around 14 weeks. After that, levels gradually decrease. HCG's presence in a pregnant woman seems to occur in the timeframe when a woman would be least likely to know she is pregnant, and therefore least likely (especially in ancient -- and leaner -- times in human history) to be consciously trying to secure nutrients to sustain a pregnancy.
Furthermore, hCG was soon found to be gonadotrophic, meaning that it prompts genital development, and was soon used as a treatment for boys experiencing a delay in adolescence or genital development due to disorders of the pituitary gland.
It was during research in the 1930s when one doctor, A.T.W. Simeons, noticed that boys being treated with hCG for underdeveloped gonads were also able to lose excess weight by eating much less without any accompanying hunger pangs. Simeons' interest in hCG soon shifted to its potential as a diet aid, and after two decades of research, he published a paper touting its effects, and developed a dietary regimen for using the drug as a weight-loss tool.
Though subsequent hCG diets have tinkered with the elements, most programs hold pretty true to the original formed by Dr. Simeons.
Each round of treatment lasts a minimum of 26 days, and 23 of those days require a daily dose of hCG, either through injections or under-the-tongue drops. Treatment may last as long as 43 days (with 40 injections), unless a patient loses 34 to 40 pounds (15 to 18 kilograms) before the allotted time has passed. Patients don't receive hCG injections for the last three days of any treatment period so the hormone can cycle completely out of their bodies before they resume a normal diet. (It also takes about three days for hCG's effects to "kick in.")
Why stop after 40 days? Simeons noted that subjects seemed to develop immunity to hCG after 40 days and required a six-week break from the diet to fully resensitize to it. Simeons recommended no more than four total treatments, separated by breaks.
In addition to receiving the hormone, dieters are instructed to cut their daily intake of calories to just 500 a day, but not until after the third dose. Once the hCG is active in a dieter's body, its release of long-stored fat provides the body with the calories it needs to burn to get through a day (a day, it should be noted, without much exercise). As long as fat deposits are being released for use, the 500 daily calories being ingested is supposed to be enough to sustain the dieter without the crazy hunger pangs one would normally experience on a 500-calorie diet. Once a dieter drops the excess weight, the treatment must stop, because hCG only affects stored fat. Once that's used up, the body will quickly reject a self-imposed limit of 500 total daily calories.
Of the little food you can eat on the hCG diet, it's supposed to be high in protein and low in starches, carbohydrates and high-fat foods. Dairy, sugar and alcohol are forbidden, and if you goof up, you should spend the next 24 hours drinking water and eating six apples [source: Haupt].
The FDA has provided its stamp of approval on the use of hCG -- as a fertility drug. In your attempts to lose weight by tricking your body with the presence of a pregnancy-related hormone, your body may turn the tables and help you get pregnant. Within five years of its discovery, hCG was already being packaged and marketed to the public as a fertility drug. (If you're a woman who doesn't want to get pregnant, you should be extra-careful if you're taking hCG.)
If its safe for a Pregnant women and her developing fetus, I am happy enough with that, especially considering a pregnant woman's body produces 1000000 IU of hCG PER DAYand I'm only injecting 125IU, Yes 125IU's per day 6 days a week for 7 weeks
Jericho
New member
If you are going to say it is the full article then put the full article. That is why I provided the link so people can read all the pages instead of the segment you wish to place. I provided two quotes but it is not the full article. HGC is given to women for pregnancy, not for weight loss.
Hi just a quick update, it's day 7 of vlcd and I cant believe how well I am feeling; I struggled to do a 1500 calorie a day diet previously, but no hunger or discomfort at all on this 500 cal day diet, I did cheat on sat night with 2 glasses of wine, but weight loss is till happening, and its not just the weight loss its the sculpting effect, its true it does work. I have lost 7.8 lbs of pure fat according to my digital scales and just looking in the mirror, my backside and stomach are shrinking, losing the dimpled effect it had, my skin is smooth...It seriously looks like I've lost about 14lbs! I'm not allowed inject for the next 3-4 days, I have my period since yesterday, but I feel fine, actually extremely very well. I am surprised at how this is going...really didn't expect the results to be this dramatic!
A come on Jerico, its the full article minus the pages you gave the link for.. sounds to me like your on a witch hunt here, relax, don't waste so much of your energy on this..I'm fine, feeling great so chill out a bit eh??
h34vyK1tt13
New member
FWIW HCG is the equivalent of FSH which is what they use in cows to have them ovulate at the same time. I always thought that was kind of weird but people will do anything to lose weight and I assume potential side-effects are taken with a grain of salt because the FDA approves. The FDA also approved Alli but you won't see me lining up at the grocery store for a bottle hoping to poop my pants after I take it lol
My own wonder is the possible detrimental effects of injecting yourself with a hormone consistantly. From my vet tech standpoint cats generally get hyperadrenocorticism AKA cushings disease. This is pretty much too much of the steroid cortisol. Now we can remove the adrenal gland but that can cause hypoadrenocorticism or well addison's. Do you see what im getting at? While HCG is not cortisol I just wonder if the potential for that same see-saw effect can happen.
After all most new diet plans generally have some sort of pitfall. Alli makes you poo like a goose and Atkins "ketosis" mode can put your body into acidosis or alkalosis. The body is such a sensitive device that I don't know if I could do that to myself.
That's just my two cents and you can take it with a grain of salt.
Since you're already doing it, i'd love to find out in the long term how it worked out for you. As for me? Well i'm going to do the old-fashioned hard work route.
Kami, I think it's very interesting that you are doing this diet tho. Do you have to supplement a lot in order to sustain homeostasis on such low calories? Whats the nutritional value of the foods you eat.
My own wonder is the possible detrimental effects of injecting yourself with a hormone consistantly. From my vet tech standpoint cats generally get hyperadrenocorticism AKA cushings disease. This is pretty much too much of the steroid cortisol. Now we can remove the adrenal gland but that can cause hypoadrenocorticism or well addison's. Do you see what im getting at? While HCG is not cortisol I just wonder if the potential for that same see-saw effect can happen.
After all most new diet plans generally have some sort of pitfall. Alli makes you poo like a goose and Atkins "ketosis" mode can put your body into acidosis or alkalosis. The body is such a sensitive device that I don't know if I could do that to myself.
That's just my two cents and you can take it with a grain of salt.
Since you're already doing it, i'd love to find out in the long term how it worked out for you. As for me? Well i'm going to do the old-fashioned hard work route.
Kami, I think it's very interesting that you are doing this diet tho. Do you have to supplement a lot in order to sustain homeostasis on such low calories? Whats the nutritional value of the foods you eat.
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stilltrying
New member
I tried HCG twice unsuccessfully. It threw off my menstrual cycle. The second time I nearly blacked out on day 3 from the lack of calories. I did lose 6 lbs in a matter of 2 days.
I have several friends who have done it successfully though. Just not for me.
i am referring to the drops, not injections.
I have several friends who have done it successfully though. Just not for me.
i am referring to the drops, not injections.
Jericho
New member
Actually, you posted one section out of 4. You skipped over the whole sections about the harmful effects and the fact this isn't meant for weight loss.
Sorry, but I'm not going to chill out. I want to be sure new members don't see this and think this is a good thing to do. I'm sorry but I can't. It is the same level if we said slimming teas or hydrocut or other scam/harmful diet shortcuts was a good option.
I have said my peace and that is that. Forum members I hope will do real research into this before thinking this is an answer. You made your choice and I hope you don't come out worse for it in the long run. I really do.
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Hi,
Just thought I'd update anyone interested on my progress. Its fanbloodytastic!! down 20lbs in 20 days, it does exactly what it says on the tin ie, 1lb a day!! I feel brilliant, this really does work, I look like I have lost 40lbs as my weight loss has been all abnormal FAT!! No muscle loss, structural fat loss or normal fat (reserved for fuel) at all just the horrible, hard to shift abnormal fat that is always last to go on a diet (and in some cases never does), and I look really healthy and I am bursting with energy! My body is literally being sculpted!
The natural hormone really does the job regarding the hunger; once a week I skip an injection so as I dont build an immunity to it, and I also don't take it during my menstral cycle, and on those days I feel really hungry and my stomach rumbles for food, and then once I take my shot again I'm great, and I even find it difficult to eat the 500 calories in a day as my body is flooded with calories from my abnormal fat stores! (but I always do)
I can only do this diet for a maximum of 43 days and then I must take a 6 week break before I can do another round which, at this stage I doubt I will have to! So in the 43 days I inject 6 days a week and stop during menstruation, a total of about 30 injections. Cant rave about this enough, just wished I'd have known about it sooner.
I DO NOT INTEND TO PROMOTE THIS DIET I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FROM DOING SO, I JUST WANT TO GIVE DETAILS OF MY EXPERIENCE, SO PLEASE ANYONE DECIDING TO DO IT, RESEARCH IT FIRST AND MAKE A WELL CONTEMPLATED DECISION. (I did and I'm so glad I did)
good luck for now, will update again soon!!
Just thought I'd update anyone interested on my progress. Its fanbloodytastic!! down 20lbs in 20 days, it does exactly what it says on the tin ie, 1lb a day!! I feel brilliant, this really does work, I look like I have lost 40lbs as my weight loss has been all abnormal FAT!! No muscle loss, structural fat loss or normal fat (reserved for fuel) at all just the horrible, hard to shift abnormal fat that is always last to go on a diet (and in some cases never does), and I look really healthy and I am bursting with energy! My body is literally being sculpted!
The natural hormone really does the job regarding the hunger; once a week I skip an injection so as I dont build an immunity to it, and I also don't take it during my menstral cycle, and on those days I feel really hungry and my stomach rumbles for food, and then once I take my shot again I'm great, and I even find it difficult to eat the 500 calories in a day as my body is flooded with calories from my abnormal fat stores! (but I always do)
I can only do this diet for a maximum of 43 days and then I must take a 6 week break before I can do another round which, at this stage I doubt I will have to! So in the 43 days I inject 6 days a week and stop during menstruation, a total of about 30 injections. Cant rave about this enough, just wished I'd have known about it sooner.
I DO NOT INTEND TO PROMOTE THIS DIET I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FROM DOING SO, I JUST WANT TO GIVE DETAILS OF MY EXPERIENCE, SO PLEASE ANYONE DECIDING TO DO IT, RESEARCH IT FIRST AND MAKE A WELL CONTEMPLATED DECISION. (I did and I'm so glad I did)
good luck for now, will update again soon!!
Thanks Jerico x
The Hybrid
New member
just be careful, my friend did HcG and a VLCD and he passed out at work and an ambulance had to transport him to the ER, but he works doing construction out in the sun...so...
Derrick
New member
I'm an openminded person but I just can't seem to get myself to ever believe in a magic pill, magic shot or magic drops. I learned a long time ago there is no such thing, especially in terms of weight loss. My sister-in-law is doing the HCG diet and she has lost 15 pounds or so but I am not very optimistic she will keep it off. Furthermore, I question how much of that weight she lost was muscle.
Having said that, I do believe it is possible to do a very low calorie diet and not lose muscle. It's called a Protein Sparing Modified Fast diet. Magic drops aren't the answer but rather the right kinds and amounts of vitamins and supplementation, in particular fish oil pills, as well as a LOT of lean protein and fibrous veggies, and finally heavy weight lifting with no cardio. Refeeds are also necessary. It's not a long term solution so it's really not a very healthy way to lose weight in the long term. It's a pain in the butt and can be very difficult mentally. You also feel very drained and exhausted at times. Having said that, I did it with much success earlier this year. I lost 26 pounds in 12 weeks. All but one pound was fat but I gained strength so that one pound didn't bother me much.
I'm not promoting or supporting any crash dieting. I actually side with those who are ripping on HCG and any other sort of crash diet. I think some could be choosing their words more carefully though. Regardless, my point here is with the HCG diet, your only defense against losing lean tissue (including your internal organs) is drops! Do you really have that much faith in those drops? At this moment in time, I sure don't. You are gambling with a new fad. That's the way I see it. Be careful.
Having said that, I do believe it is possible to do a very low calorie diet and not lose muscle. It's called a Protein Sparing Modified Fast diet. Magic drops aren't the answer but rather the right kinds and amounts of vitamins and supplementation, in particular fish oil pills, as well as a LOT of lean protein and fibrous veggies, and finally heavy weight lifting with no cardio. Refeeds are also necessary. It's not a long term solution so it's really not a very healthy way to lose weight in the long term. It's a pain in the butt and can be very difficult mentally. You also feel very drained and exhausted at times. Having said that, I did it with much success earlier this year. I lost 26 pounds in 12 weeks. All but one pound was fat but I gained strength so that one pound didn't bother me much.
I'm not promoting or supporting any crash dieting. I actually side with those who are ripping on HCG and any other sort of crash diet. I think some could be choosing their words more carefully though. Regardless, my point here is with the HCG diet, your only defense against losing lean tissue (including your internal organs) is drops! Do you really have that much faith in those drops? At this moment in time, I sure don't. You are gambling with a new fad. That's the way I see it. Be careful.
chelsea_morning
New member
Hey Kami -
How is it going? I am interested to know the outcome of your diet. I have never heard of it before, and I am doing it the-old fashioned way. But I am still interested in your efforts! I hope it works out for you.
How is it going? I am interested to know the outcome of your diet. I have never heard of it before, and I am doing it the-old fashioned way. But I am still interested in your efforts! I hope it works out for you.
Emerald1
New member
Hi,
Just thought I'd update anyone interested on my progress. Its fanbloodytastic!! down 20lbs in 20 days, it does exactly what it says on the tin ie, 1lb a day!! I feel brilliant, this really does work, I look like I have lost 40lbs as my weight loss has been all abnormal FAT!! No muscle loss, structural fat loss or normal fat (reserved for fuel) at all just the horrible, hard to shift abnormal fat that is always last to go on a diet (and in some cases never does), and I look really healthy and I am bursting with energy! My body is literally being sculpted!
The natural hormone really does the job regarding the hunger; once a week I skip an injection so as I dont build an immunity to it, and I also don't take it during my menstral cycle, and on those days I feel really hungry and my stomach rumbles for food, and then once I take my shot again I'm great, and I even find it difficult to eat the 500 calories in a day as my body is flooded with calories from my abnormal fat stores! (but I always do)
I can only do this diet for a maximum of 43 days and then I must take a 6 week break before I can do another round which, at this stage I doubt I will have to! So in the 43 days I inject 6 days a week and stop during menstruation, a total of about 30 injections. Cant rave about this enough, just wished I'd have known about it sooner.
I DO NOT INTEND TO PROMOTE THIS DIET I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN FROM DOING SO, I JUST WANT TO GIVE DETAILS OF MY EXPERIENCE, SO PLEASE ANYONE DECIDING TO DO IT, RESEARCH IT FIRST AND MAKE A WELL CONTEMPLATED DECISION. (I did and I'm so glad I did)
good luck for now, will update again soon!!
What are your plans (food and exercise wise) during the 6 week break love?
San2
Mod
So you'll shoot that stuff for the rest of your life? Just wondering, cause obviously you'll be hungry and miserable as soon as you stop it, and you'll put the weight back on....probably more than you had to start with.
Hope you're not planning on having kids either...since the stuff is going to mess up your natural hormone production good style.
You do know that a weight loss of about 1 lbs per day is totally unhealthy, right?
Hope you're not planning on having kids either...since the stuff is going to mess up your natural hormone production good style.
You do know that a weight loss of about 1 lbs per day is totally unhealthy, right?