Updated 4/18/23./ Have you heard of the HCG diet? It’s been around for over 60 years. I first heard of this diet in 2007 in a book called “The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About”. What I would like to do here is review the scientific studies that have been performed on the HCG diet protocol and let you draw your own conclusions about whether HCG injections help weight loss or not. This review will focus on the original version of HCG diet – the version that uses injections of the hormone HCG.
Homeopathic HCG Review
HCG drops (homeopathic version of this diet)
What Is The HCG Diet & The Simeons Protocol?
HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. This is a hormone that women make when they are pregnant. In fact the most natural way to raise HCG levels is to get pregnant.
The HCG diet dates back to about 1954 when a doctor named Albert Simeons started giving HCG injections to obese people. He published his study in the Lancet, a well-known medical journal.
The HCG diet consists of daily HCG injections coupled with a 500-calorie diet. In addition, people are also told to refrain from using hardly any fat. Even the fats in cosmetics are to be avoided during the HCG diet. There are many HCG diet books to help people with
the food portion of the program.
According to Simeons, giving HCG along with the 500-calorie diet was better for weight loss than just giving them 500 calories. He claimed that his technique achieved fast weight loss without people being hungry. This, he stated was because HCG suppressed the appetite and enhanced people’s moods.
HCG injections also were alleged to burn fat from specific body areas. Today we would call this claim “spot reduction” – ridding fat from only certain locations like troublesome areas of the thighs for example.
It’s my understanding that in the Kevin Trudeau’s weight loss book, he speculated that HCG stimulated the hypothalamus of the brain to get the body to start burning fat. Whether that's true or not, I cannot say.
For more on Kevin Trudeau, see my review of Herpes Cure Report.
What matters is that Dr. Simeons claimed that the HCG injections could result in weight loss of between ½ lb and almost 2 lbs per day on average.
Is there any proof this is true? Let's look at the clinical studies on HCG and weight loss and see what we can discover.
HCG Diet Research. Does The Simeons Protocol Work?
There is HCG weight loss research. Doctors have looked at this weight loss solution several times since the early 1950s. I have linked to the actual scientific studies so you can read them for yourself if you like.
In 1963 Craig and associates tested the Simeons diet in 20 overweight women. The study lasted 45 days. Women were split into 2 groups:
- one group received daily shots of HCG (125 units)
- the other received shots of a placebo
All women ate only 550 calories a day contained in 2 meals. Women could drink as much water, tea, or coffee as they liked (no sugar in tea or coffee).
Results: Women getting HCG injections did not lose more weight.
In 1973, Asher and Harper tested the HCG diet in 40 overweight women for 6 weeks. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Women either received either
- daily HCG injections (125 units)
- or a saline placebo.
All women consumed a 500-calorie diet.
Results. Asher and Harper found that women getting HCG injections lost more weight than those who received a placebo.
In the study, it was stated that Harper, who did the “clinical work” also “has an active practice using HCG for weight reduction”. In science, this is technically a no no. Some might see this as possible bias (even unconscious bias) on the part of the researcher.
However, the connection of the researcher to the HCG diet was clearly disclosed at the beginning of the study. They were not trying to hide this, and I will call this study a “win” for the HCG diet.
It was because of the findings by Asher and Harper that in 1976, Stein and colleagues decided to test the HCG diet. In their investigation, they used a similar protocol as Asher and Harper (Asher provided Stein with their research design).
They tested the HCG diet in 51 young women (ave aged 33). The study lasted 32 days. Women were split into 2 groups:
- One group received daily injections of HGC (125 units)
- The other group received injections of a saline placebo
All women were put on the identical 500-calorie diet as in the Asher and Harper study. Women were also instructed to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Results. This study found that the HCG diet did not help weight loss.
Women getting HCG did not lose any more weight than those getting the placebo. In addition, women getting HCG injections did not lose
more weight in specific body areas (as the HCG diet proponents often say will happen).
Also, in 1976, another HCG study was performed by Young and colleagues. In this study, there were 202 people.
For 6 days a week, people received either
- injections of HCG (125 units a day)
- or saline injections (placebo)
In addition people also ate 500 calories a day and received lectures on diet and behavior modification twice a week for the length of the study.
All fat was excluded from the diet except for the fat that was associated with the protein that people ate from food.
This study also tested whether HCG treatment helped people maintain their weight loss better. This was accomplished by giving people 6 weeks of no HCG injections coupled with education about how to eat properly.
Results. At the end of the study, researchers found that HCG injections did not lead to any greater weight loss or weight maintenance than those who did not get HCG injections. In the words of the researchers:
“… we could not demonstrate by any objective indicator that HCG was beneficial in promoting weight loss, nor was there any significant difference in fat loss or body circumference measurements”
In 1977, Shetty and Kalkhoff did a small study of HCG in 6 hospitalized obese women. The women were only given 500 calories a day and injected daily with 125 units of HCG for 30 days. Another 5 women were given the exact same diet yet injected with a placebo.
Results. According to the authors, weight loss between groups was “nearly identical”. Measurements of the circumferences of the chest, waist, hips or thighs also showed no differences between the HCG and placebo groups. Any changes observed, the authors noted, was consistent with “semi-starvation” and weight loss”.
Also in 1977, Greenway and associates tested the HCG diet for 6 weeks in 40 healthy women (age 20-40) who were randomly divided into 2 groups:
- One group received HCG
- The other group got a placebo
Both groups received injections 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Greenway did not specify how much HCG women received in their investigation (I’ll assume it was 125 units but I cannot prove this).
Results. People getting daily HCG injections did not lose any more weight than women who received a placebo. Likewise, there were no differences in body circumferences or mood in those who received HCG injections. The Greenway study was concluded with these words (note these words were written in 1977):
“We feel that the 20 year history of the use of HCG in the treatment of obesity should come to an end because injections of placebo appear to be equally effective in all respects.”
In 1983 Birmingham and Smith reviewed 6 of double-blind studies of the HCG diet conducted at that time.
Results. They concluded that only one study (the Asher and Harper study mentioned above) found that HCG injections caused weight loss more than placebo. The other 5 studies found that HCG injections do not cause weight loss.
In 1990, Venter and associates tested the HCG diet in 40 obese women for 6 weeks. In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, women were either given daily HCG injections or injections of a placebo. All women were put on the same diet that supplied 1200 calories a day.
Before and after the study, they tested body weight, body circumferences, and hunger level.
Results. The HCG diet “showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect any of the variables recorded”. So HCG didn’t work.
In 1995, Lijesen and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of 24 previously published HCG diet studies.
A meta analysis basically means that the researchers added together the results of a bunch of studies, to see if they could find “the big picture”.
Results. They concluded that “there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity”
and that:
“it [HCG] does not bring about weigh loss or fat redistribution nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well being.”
Summary Of HCG Weight Loss Studies
| Study | People in study | Study design | Results |
| Craig (1963) | 20 | Double-blind placebo controlled | HCG doesn’t work |
| Asher/Harper (1973) | 40 | Randomized double-blind | HCG works |
| Stein (1976) | 51 | Randomized double-blind | HCG doesn't work |
| Young (1976) | 202 | Randomized double blind cross over | HCG doesn't work |
| Sheety (1977) | 6 | Randomized double-blind | HCG doesn't work |
| Greenway (1977) | 40 | Randomized double-blind | HCG doesn't work |
| Birmingham (1983) | 358 | Meta-analysis of 6 HCG studies | HCG doesn't work |
| Lijesen (1995) | ? | Meta-analysis of 24 HCG studies | HCG doesn’t work |
Note. This is just a sample of the HCG weight loss studies. There are several others.
HCG Diet Video
Here's a quick video revealing the research on the Simeons Protocol and other HCG diet research
Watch this video on my YouTube channel if you prefer.
HCG Diet And The Thyroid
Some ask if this diet can help the metabolism or thyroid or improve hypothyroidism. I am not aware of any research that looked at the HCG diet protocol and checked to see if it altered the level of thyroid or TSH levels. As people lose weight -through any diet – metabolism does tend to decrease.
This is why its often easier to lose the first 50 pounds than the last 10 pounds of weight. Whether or not HCG can change this drop in metabolic rate needs more research.
Some say that HCG shots (and HCG drops) help people preserve muscle during weight loss. Again, I have not seen any scientific proof that the protocol reduces muscle loos when dieting. Theoretically, eating only 500 calories per day would eventually cause the body to start cannibalizing itself to maintain adequate energy.
Whether HCG injections can reduce/reverse this process is unknown as far as I can tell and is likewise deserving of better research. These 2 aspects of the HCG diet would make for very interesting topics for graduate students to research (hint, hint to the grad students reading this).
HCG Injection Side Effects
Most of the human HCG injection weight loss studies did not report anything bad happening but its also true many did not last long enough either. Here are some things to consider if you embark on trying this yourself.
If you do HCG injections, you really should do it under a doctor's supervision. Don't buy the HCG hormone on the internet and inject it yourself. Don't listen to any “internet expert” who makes claims about how much to use or anything like that. There are doctors who will prescribe HCG for “off-label” use. While I have been critical of doctors who do this (see the HCG drops review), it's likely safer when used in conjunction with a physician who knows about this stuff than using a do-it-yourself approach.
Do not share needles to reduce costs. That is a surefire way of getting a disease.
Realize that weight loss may not be so great without also reducing calorie intake. That said, I could not recommend only 500 calories per day. Instead, why not try a safer amount, such as 1500 calories per day? If HCG really does work, then it should even work – albeit slower – when a more rational reduction in calories are consumed. Slow weight loss help stabilizes metabolic rate better than fast weight loss.
See the review at Dr.BillSukala.com for more insights.
Can HCG Cause Cancer?
In a 2016 paper titled Evidence for, and Associated Risks with, the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Supplemented Diet, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, the authors call attention to the possibility that the use of HCG hormone may promote and spread the growth of cancer.
In their paper, the authors point out that there are different variations of the HGC molecules. Two of these types are called:
- Hyperglycosylated HCG (hCGh)
- hCG free beta-subunit (hCGb)
These kinds of HCG are thought to be linked to cancer promotion. I have yet to see clinical studies published that directly link HCG to cancer in humans, although the authors mention they have people online speculating that HCG may have caused their cancer. I have seen these websites myself. Performing an online search for “Did HCG injections cause my cancer?” should reveal websites where this topic is discussed.
Does The HCG Diet Work?
Some say that HCG needs to be used soon after being prepared, or it becomes useless. Could this be why all the other HCG studies show it doesn't work? Could all the other researchers have made a critical mistake? Maybe. In theory, there may be something to this- if HCG really does break down as fast as they say.
Could there be a conspiracy by the medical community to prevent people from knowing the truth about HCG? I don’t think so. Here’s why.
Covering up proof that the HCG diet works would be very difficult because EVERYBODY can read the HCG diet studies. ANYBODY can replicate the studies today using the very same procedures and see if it works. So why don’t the sellers of the HCG diet protocol – instead of invoking the name of Albert Simeons– do their own HCG diet research, publish that research and prove to the world that the HCG diet really works?
Here's HCG supplements on Amazon if you want to see what others are saying.
What do you think?
Just wanted to get my two cents in. I have been on HCG drops for 8 days and lost 12 lbs. I have NO problem following this protocol and never feel hungry and also wonder if that is the catch. I think also a slight paranoia of taking a hormone makes me follow the protocol 100% so as not to interfere with other hormones.
An apple or orange is optional to take as a snack and I very rarely use or need this. If lunch/dinner is delayed I might take it and sometimes force myself just for the nutrients. I feel great. I run clinical trials for a living and am fully aware of placebo effect but if this works who cares? Lol
Amy, thanks for sharing and thanks for letting us know about your knowledge of the Placebo effect. Very interesting. Please keep me posted
I’m curious about the claims of satiety. What does the empirical evidence show in terms of dieters complaining about being hungery or not during the 500 calorie/day diet? Did the people on the HCG treatment in the double-blind trials show any difference in how well sated they felt compared to the dieters on placebo? To me this is critically important and one possible reason why dieting fails.
Joe, I also have the same question but that’s what people report.
HI, I have used HCG successfully a few times.
I find that I am NOT hungry on 500 cals when I take it. I have tried limiting my cals without it and I feel so hungry. It could be the placebo affect, but I have lost 45 lbs with HCG, I couldn’t do it on Weight Watchers. So I don’t know, I am not a scientist. But I know it works for me. and I always feel fantastic when I am on this protocol.
I would love to be part of one of the studies.
Kimberly, just curious, you said you’ve tried the HCG a few times. Were there relapses after you stopped doing it?
Yo…Joe…:)
So my HCG was shipped – i am pretty excited.
I watched 2 interesting films this weekend – Fat, sick and nearly dead – and – Forks over Knives. Both were ‘on demand’ on netflix. I’m not about to start a 60 day juice fast but am interested in juicing to get more micro nutrients. I know that I will never say that I dont want to eat ice cream again but I am interested in starting to eat cleaner. I know how crappy I feel after i eat things that are loaded w/chemicals or yucky additives.
Hi Nicole, glad it came so fast! I have not seen those documentaries, Ill have to take a look at them sometime. Juicing is fine but juicing does take out pulp (fiber) of the food. I often recommend people just toss fruits/veggies in a blender. that way you get the whole food. Any blender will work. My niece uses the “magic bullet”. I use a big gizmo called the “VitaMix”. You dont have to give up ice cream etc forever. All food can be “health food”, in moderation 🙂
Hi Joe,
So – I ordered my HCG the other day – when I get it and start I’ll let you know. I have been doing high protein/low carb and I am not really hungry – ever – which is weird….but I eat because I have to. I will let you know what progress looks like. I plan on following Dr. S’s protocol strictly and doing a 40 day round.
I spent a lot of time outside of Philly after college, Gulph Mills, KOP is my mall! haha I also have a friend who lives in Boothwyn and I visit her every few months.
Ok hope you had a good week!
Hi Nicole, Im guessing that the protein is stabilizing your blood sugar and slowing digestion. that might explain why your not too hungry. Yes keep me posted on your HCG progress. Yep, those places are in my neck of the woods. You have a great week also!
Hi Joe,
I didn’t mean that the reps wouldn’t show up but that they had scheduled meeting times that were not good for me as I work 2 jobs.
So you live in Baltimore? I have a friend that lives in Parkville – she is from Pittsburgh though. She is a school teacher and LOOOOOOOVES to wear her black and gold loud and proud on game days, haha.
hey Nicole, actually I live outside of Philly. I was lecturing at a fitness convention in Baltimore last weekend. I have a couple of jobs too so I can empathize 😉
Joe,
I did do weight watchers, several times.
Failure was a combination of two things I think. 1) I would weigh in and either lose .3 lbs or gain 2 lbs – either way I was discouraged. 2) I think the meetings are a key to weight loss and going to a meeting and getting weighed is like, $13 or something and the locations around me are at a church or strip mall where the reps aren’t there all the time.
Needless to say, the most I ever lost doing WW was about 18lbs. I had talked to my dr about this and she said that people who need to lose a lot of weight and have had trouble in the past need to do a high protein/low carb plan – protein is the fuel that feeds our fat burning fire! Thats what she says anyway…..
I dont think the HCG is expensive really. I was looking at doing 2 full cycles and based on my calculations of how much I would need – including shipping – $85 – plus $35 for a kit that has the needles, mixing stuff, etc.
I just made some monk fish for the first time – ever had it? It tastes kinda like lobster – YUM!
Nicole, thats interesting about weight watchers. if the reps didn’t show up to meetings all the time I would call the weight watchers org and tell them.
oh ok, 85 + 35 is less than the $400 the doctor was charging. Well, if you try HCG keep me posted as Im definitely curious what happens.
I don’t think Ive ever had Monk fish. I just had salmon at some restaurant in Baltimore. Salmon I like 🙂
Joe,
The site that I have gotten a lot of info from is http://hcgdietinfo.com/. There is a huge community there and the forums are great. I am not fooled into thinking that HCG is a miracle. I know that the VLCD is a huge sacrifice and I will never be able to just go back to eating anything. I know that it takes work and I am committed to losing. I just feel like once I can get about 30-40 lbs off I will feel SO much better and be able to be even more active that I am and will want to make better choices instead of ignoring them and eating what I want.
I have never done any kind of liquid diet/slim fast or anything like that. I looked at your ‘about me’ section and you seem to be pretty smart and know what you are talking about. I will stop at my local store tonight and give your idea a go just to see what happens. Are there any restrictions on my ‘evening meal’ as far as fat or carbs? I mean, are we thinking more of a ‘sensible meal’ like weight watchers advises or a low carb/high protein meal?
As far as the shakes being a profit center, I do know that. I have gotten the low-carb ultramet shakes at supplement central as a replacement for what she advises. I think she is a nice lady, smart, of course, but she wants to make money. She offers all kinds of stuff at her office now, treatment for veins, biodentical hormones, the various weight loss methods……etc. The one nurse always laughs at me because I ask her if I can get a pedicure while I’m there. I think she got into it because she wanted to help but once you see what a cash cow fat people can be (no puns intended), how could you not look into how you could offer more and make more?
Check out the site I gave you if you want some real stories from real people. You can tell the way the site is set up that the people are sharing real stories – whether good or bad, it seems to be a good group of people offering help and support.
Ok back to work…
🙂
Nicole, yes for the snack, something that is high in protein but still has some carbs (we need carbs to live and stay healthy). the carbs actually help us absorb protein too. Its really about calories more than protein or carbs but since protein makes you feel fuller longer and stabilizes blood sugar thats why Im recommending it. If you do try this, do let me know if it worked for you.
Speaking of weight watchers, have you ever tried it? if yes, did it work? Again, Im just trying to offer cheaper alternatives. Its a tough economy as you know.
Enjoy work 🙂
Hi Joe,
If I do this, what are the expectations? I’m not a lazy fat person. I have a husky Shepard that I walk about 2 miles a day and I work two jobs, one of which is 25 hours a week at starbucks. So I’m not sedentary. I am 5’11 and 302lbs. I have fluctuated between 270 and 310 for the past 3 years. I am pretty well proportioned, not one part is really bigger or more pronounced that the other, if you know what I mean. I would say I’m pear shaped.
I have done the shake thing w/my current dr – three of her low-cal, low-carb shakes per day w/light meals of low carb/high protein/low fat proportions.
When I talked to her about the HCG she said that she thinks it would be good for me because I would lose ALOT of weight which would keep me motivated to keep it off – which I agree with her on. If I lose 15-20 lbs, even though you can tell, it’s not such a huge loss that I really notice if I am gaining again unless I step on the scale. My clothes still fit.
Anyway, just curious. I am not afraid of needles and have read so many positive things about the HCG, it does seem interesting to me that when dropping your caloric intake down so low, my body would kinda start to digest its own fat. Sounds like a horror movie, lol.
I don’t just jump into things like HCG w/o researching though, so again, no decision made yet. I might pick up some of this shake stuff you are talking about this weekend and see – even if I decide to do HCG it will take a few weeks to get the supplies that I need.
Ok done rambling. Thanks 🙂
Hi Nicole, I’m just trying to get an idea that if you did do a restricted weight loss program, would it help you lose weight? While I was intrigued with the comments of “Project Me” who said HCG worked for her, I still believe the HCG diet works because its a very low calorie diet.
The doctor who you spoke to has weight loss shakes in her program -yet if you looked at the original HCG research, they never used weight loss shakes. The shakes are just a profit center for the doctor. I know you know this already 😉
we all have to find a program that works for us and if this works for you, I’m really happy. I just am trying to look at this in a logical way, and try to save you some money. Have you ever tried doing something like I suggested? Did it work?
If you do try the HCG diet I do hope you will keep me posted on your progress. feel free to write as much as you like. My hope is that if it really does work, that some researcher reading this site will be inspired by what people have written and to take a good look at this diet. 🙂
Hi Joe,
Yes I live have had a metabolic test done, not sure what it’s called but I breathed through my mouth into a machine for about 12 minutes. My metabolism came back below normal for my age/height/weight/sex. I have also had my thyroid checked twice and my levels were found to be ‘normal’. Not sure if this tested my TSH levels or something else but I have had blood work and its all been in the ok range.
I have been doing a lot of research myself on how to do the HCG stuff on my own instead of doing it through my Dr. She is a General Practitioner but she seems to specialize in bariatrics. She is nice and knowledgeable but I sometimes feel like she is doing it for the money. Her shakes/lo-carb stuff is all packaged w/her name and info on it. I think people prefer to buy from her because she is a Dr and its convenient but I have found similar items to those she sells for MUCH less.
Also, her meal plan for the HCG diet is different than what protocol is. It pretty much says to not stray from it so I really don’t want to pay the $400 for the superfluous shakes and thinks I won’t use. I am also finding I can get enough HCG powder for two cycles for about $85 including shipping and a kit w/the syringes, vials, etc for about $35.
I did go to PSU and I live in Pittsburgh. Odd about that concentration of hypothyroidism around here but not surprising. I know a lot of people who have had thyroid issues around here.
Nicole, the thing you breathed in, Ive heard of it but am not convinced at how accurate it is. Yes it does sound like you had your “TSH” levels tested. thats usually what doctors test first when they are looking at your thyroid function.
Its a common practice to have your name on supplements. Companies do it for the doctor. Ive had people approach me to do the same thing. It just sounds like a low calorie shake. Before you shell out 400 or even $85 a month on HCG, try this. go to vitamin shoppe and get yourself some cans of “RTD 51” protein shakes. Each shake has 51 grams of protein and about 230 calories.
Pour the shake in a class and add 8 oz of water to it. Drink 2-3 of these a day and then eat a regular dinner. try not to snack but if you have to, have something light that has some protein, like 20 almonds. Do this for a week if you can. Weigh yourself before you start – in the AM, naked, after you go to the bathroom. Then weigh yourself 5 days later and see if your weight decreased.
I’m just wondering if there is an easier and much cheaper alternative to HCG for you. The idea of needles also gives me willies.
Hi All,
My Doctor just told me about this yesterday and I was intrigued so I have been trying to find info regarding it.
I talked to her about what the program entailed and she gave me a detailed 600 calorie/day plan and also some rules. I was surprised by the fact that I can’t wear lotion or body oil of any type. After reading some other sites it says that fat of any type can mess with the loss. Also, normally on such a calorie restrictive diet, you would go into starvation mode but while getting the hCG injections, apparently you don’t and your body burns fat.
I am thinking about trying it. She is charging $400 for a month. That includes 8 boxes of shakes, 2 lipo-shots (administered by a nurse) 4 weeks worth of the hCG injections (self-administered), 4 doctors visit (no additional co-pay) and a colon cleanse at the end of the month.
I am still researching and looking for any feedback. I have been overweight my entire life pretty much, I’m 33 now. My metabolism is nearly non-existent and I just want to jump start weight loss so I can comfortably exercise and be more active. If I decide to do it I will post results.
Hi Nicole, when you said your metabolism is almost non existent, how do you know this? Have you ever had your metabolic rate checked? What kind of doctor – MD, DO, chiropractor ect – recommended the diet? I’m just curious. Has a doctor ever checked your “TSH” levels? This test tells how well your thyroid is working and hence how well your metabolic rate is working.
I’ve recently heard from my doctor that there is a LOT of hypothyroidism on the East coast of the US -nobody seems to know why. Since I’m guessing you go / went to PSU, I thought Id mention this. If your thyroid is low this may help partially explain why its hard to lose weight.
Hi Joe. Thanks for your response!
About 15 years ago, I was on a medically supervised weight loss program where we ate 500 CUs/day via protein shakes only. After the initial first week loss of about 7lbs, I lost roughly 1.5lbs a week. And that was when I was 27. Five years before that, I did something similar, eating 500 CUs/day of protein instead of taking it through shakes. Same results. The only advantage to having has such a lifelong struggle with weight is that I have data that predates this experience. I can say definitively that my outcomes under HCG are unparalleled. All the more interesting.
ProjectMe, very interesting. My hope is that some researcher reads your comment and decides to do a large scale investigation. I think this is long over due. I still skeptical of the HCG diet but in the end, the important thing is that you found something that works for you – and that’s all that really matters 🙂
I was as skeptical about the claim as anyone. Who wouldn’t be? 30lbs in 30 days? I decided to try it, sort of do my own “study.” After 2 load / 10 VLCD days, I’ve lost almost 16lbs, about 12lbs when you exclude the load “gain.” The typical BMR formula says I should have only lost 4.5 lbs. I keep a running calculation of projected loss given my caloric intake, age, weight, and activities, versus actual scale loss. I logged all of my daily data, food journals, charts, photos, and so on my web page (http://hcg-review-weight-loss-diet.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html). I keep thinking it has to be a fluke – maybe it’s the HCG, maybe it’s not. But if it’s not HCG, then DO THIS: LOOK AT MY DATA, and then you tell me what it is.
Project me, that’s an interesting study you did. did you try eating only 500 calories with out the HCG to see if it worked any differently? One of the things I personally would like to see with HCG diets is a more recent study of it. as you saw in my review most of the research was done decades ago. I think this would be an excellent Masters Thesis project for a college student.
I would be curious to know who sponsored the researches that proved HCG does not work. Its interesting how this article mentions the sponsors of the successful outcomes but not the unsuccessful ones. Research reporting can be so subjective. Just be responsible and transparent with your “truth”. That’s my comment.
Phyl, when I wrote my HCG review I dont remember seeing any conflicts of interest in the research that showed HCG did not work. Is there a specific organization you are referring to? Are you aware of any studies that I missed that showed the HCG diet worked? if yes, please do let me know.
I will search for the research studies again this week and see if I missed anything. I will let you know here.
Anyone eating a 500cal/day diet is going to lose weight but a good portion of that weight will be lost in muscle, which you obviously don’t want. I haven’t been able to find any HCG studies where the body composition of the subjects was measured before and after the study. Why is that? That would seem to be a crucial component of the research as the point of HCG isn’t just to lose scale weight but to lose stored body fat. I don’t understand why it’s ignored.
Karen you ask a very good question and I I also wish the doctors researching the HCG diet would measure muscle loss and not just weight loss. I can only guess it didn’t occur to them. This would be an EXCELLENT MS thesis or PhD dissertation for a college student to do.
Re-read this article. Body composition was measured…that’s what is meant by “fat loss” and “circumference”. Doing weight and circumference measurements will give a fair idea of what was lost. And there wasn’t a difference between the HCG and placebo results. “… we could not demonstrate by any objective indicator that HCG was beneficial in promoting weight loss, nor was there any significant difference in fat loss or body circumference measurements”
Rohi, thanks I appreciate the feedback and I enjoyed your weight loss review as well 🙂
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the interesting article. I agree with your conclusion. I feel that the best way to lose weight is to make small but consistent lifestyle changes.
Sandi, I’m starting to research oral HCG products now. I’m skeptical but I have an open mind. I do appreciate you sharing what happened when you tried ketomist (My Fat Cure).
I tried My Fat Cure now known as Ketomist. The first time I used the oral spray for 40 days and a 500 calorie diet, I lost 20#. The second time I did it for 30 days and lost #11#. I felt that anybody eating only a 500 calorie diet is bound to lose weight! The spray is a mind game!