Updated 10/11/24. Let’s talk about homeopathic HCG also referred to as HCG drops. These are homeopathic supplements that are used for weight loss. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotrophin, a hormone made when when a woman is pregnant. The original HCG diet has been around for several decades. The HCG program that uses HCG drops is a relative newcomer to the weight loss arena but is extremely popular in some circles. Basically, these products are said to contain diluted amounts of the hormone that are taken under the tongue with an eye dropper. Do HCG diet supplements work? Do they have any side effects? Let's look at the science and try to make sense of all this. Also, see the review on HCG injections for more information.
1 How The HCG Diet Works
The HCG diet works almost the same as the original version used by Dr. Albert Simeons. It consists of the following:
- Taking HCG and
- Eating only 500 calories per day
The only difference is that Doctor Simeons recommended injections of the HCG hormone. Homeopathic HCG supplements you find in the store are not meant to be injected. Rather, you place them under your tongue to absorb them.
According to those who sell HCG supplements, the hormone reduces appetite and helps you lose weight while helping you maintain your muscle mass. However, I could not locate any proof that people taking sublingual HCG maintain muscle while they lose weight.
Let me be clear: the HCG diet WILL cause weight loss. But, the weight people lose on this diet is NOT because of the hormone. Rather, people lose weight with the HCG diet because they eat 500 calories per day. Watch this video to see the research.
HCG Diet Review
Many websites that sell homeopathic HCG drops speak about the work of Dr. Simeons, but they usually don’t tell you that Dr Simeons used
HCG injections. Doctor Simeons did not use HCG drops.
Because homeopathic HCG may contain small amounts of alcohol, recovering alcoholics should not use these products if they believe it may interfere with their recovery.
Remember. The people who sell homeopathic HCG drops love to tell you about Dr. Simeon's weight loss protocol and his HCG research. BUT Dr. Simeons did not use homeopathic HCG drops.
Let's discuss three reasons why Dr. Simeons did not use homeopathic HCG, and by doing so, you will know why this HCG program cannot possibly work.
2 What Are Homeopathic HCG Drops?
Homeopathy means taking a substance (in this case, HCG) and diluting it over and over with water. This dilution continues until the final dilution contains none (zero) of the original substance.
This means that homeopathic HCG has no HCG. Rather, HCG drops are just water (sometimes other things like vitamin B12 are added but this other stuff usually has no weight loss effect). Here is my review of vitamin B12 and weight loss if you want more info.
Some people say that homeopathic HCG stings when its placed under the tongue. This may be because of the alcohol or other ingredients in homeopathic HCG.
The final homeopathic dilution is said to contain the “memory” of the original substance. The “memory” of the substance is what is supposed to be the active ingredient in homeopathic preparations.
How can an inert substance like water contain a memory? This makes no sense from a scientific point of view. Fact. Nobody who sells HCG drops can show you clinical proof that their product has a memory of HCG. Ask them, and you will see that I am right.
3 What Is HCG Made Of?
HCG is a hormone made of protein. When we eat protein-rich food, like chicken, the protein is broken down into the amino acids that make up the protein.
This is why chicken isn’t absorbed in the body as chicken. The same is true for HCG drops. When you take HCG by mouth, the protein that makes up the HCG is digested and absorbed as individual amino acids.
The amino acids that HCG is made of are used to do whatever the body needs to do. After they are absorbed, the body does not reassemble those amino acids back into the HCG hormone.
4 Homeopathic HCG Drops Proof
To determine if homeopathic supplements containing the HCG hormone worked, I searched the National Library of Medicine (pubmed.gov), a list of millions of studies from around the world. I searched this database using these terms:
- HCG drops
- HCG drops and weight loss
- Oral HCG
- HCG supplements
- homeopathic HCG
- Homeopathic human chorionic gonadotrophin
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin drops
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin supplements
None of these terms or phrases revealed any clinical studies. The only studies I did see were for the original HCG diet.
Websites that market sublingual HCG drops often talk about how they are “FDA Approved,” but this doesn't mean the FDA says homeopathic HCG drops cause weight loss. Update. The FDA now says HCG Drops are illegal.
The FDA-approved statement only means that the company has met the homeopathic medication requirements that the FDA stipulates. These requirements include listing the dilution, and instructions for the safety and purity of the product. Here is more on FDA conditions for homeopathic medications.
On March 9, 2011, the TV show Nightline did a story on homeopathic HCG and weight loss. They made a good point when they revealed that the FDA requires HCG labels to state that several clinical trials since the 1970s have shown HCG does not help weight loss.
As I revealed in my review of HCG injections, the research goes back to the 1950s, and ALL of that research is on injections of HCG. 99% of those clincal trials also revealed that it didn't work.
5 Can HCG Raise Testosterone Levels?
One of the claims for HCG weight loss protocols is that it stimulates the production of testosterone, an anabolic hormone that helps build muscle. There is some evidence that HCG can raise testosterone levels. But the evidence is for injected HCG. What about taking the HCG hormone by mouth? There appears to be no good proof taking HCG supplements can raise testosterone levels in people. Weight loss is known to raise testosterone. Is it possible that elevations in testosterone via the HCG diet are due to simply eating fewer calories?
6 Can You Purchase HCG Drops In Stores?
Local shops like Walmart and others may sell homeopathic human chorionic gonadotropin. If you go shopping for them, look at the labels carefully. Some supplements may contain additional ingredients such as caffeine, arginine, green tea, chromium and African Mango.
If you see this, the question to ask yourself is: if HCG drops really worked so well, then why do the supplements need those additional ingredients?
7 FDA And HCG Supplements
In 2013, the FDA stated that homeopathic HCG products are illegal. Both the FDA and FTC also sent letters to companies that make these products, telling them that they are illegal too. letters and warnings aside, I have still seen HCG weight loss remedies sold at health food stores. But what you see in stores may not be the HCG hormone. What is it, then? See the next section.
8 HCG Weight Loss Supplement Remedies
Since the FDA and FTC have clammed down companies that sold homeopathic HCG products, a new line of supplements has cropped up that contain “HCG” on the label. Do they contain the HCG hormone?
No.
Most of these supplements contain ingredients that raise the body's natural production of HCG. Supplements like these may be identified by words such as an HCG activator or an HCG catalyst. Others may contain “drops” in the name of the product.
These supplements do not contain HCG hormones but rather ingredients that are supposed to boost HCG production. Supplements said to boost HCG production may contain ingredients like:
- L ornithine
- Beta-alanine
- L carnitine
- Maca
- glutamine
- Rhodiola
Whether or not these ingredients effectively raise HGC hormone levels in people needs more study.
9 HCG Drops: Pros / Cons
Here's a quick rundown of the benefits and not-so-benefits of using HCG weight loss supplements
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Lack of clinical proof they work |
| Some people online say they work | must eat a VERY low calorie diet (example 500 cal/day) |
| Do they really contain HCG hormone? | |
| Do they really raise HCG levels in people? | |
| Some products may be expensive |
10 HCG Weight Loss Side Effects
I know the HCG drops and Doctor Simeons diet protocol is lauded and criticized. Here are some things to consider if you embark on this weight loss protocol. This list is not complete:
Eating only 500 calories per day may lead to the following:
- Muscle loss
- Hair loss
- Reduce wound healing
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy
As we learned from the study of former contestants of the Biggest Loser TV show, rapid weight loss may lead to lower metabolic rates. That's not to say the HCG weight loss program would do this too. It's something to consider for those who tend to gain and lose weight regularly.
Don't use the HCG weight loss program while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Stop using HCG drops/HCG injections at least two weeks before having surgery.
One report has possibly linked HCG drops to deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). This stems from a 64-year-old woman who was taking 20 HCG drops per day under the tongue for weight loss. Two weeks after she started HCG, her symptoms started. Given the complexity of the human body, it's hard to know if HCG was linked to her blood clots.
Obviously, without clinical studies on HCG supplements, it's challenging to know what the side effects – if any- might be. Use this as a guide to discuss with your doctor whether an HCG weight loss program is right for you.
11 Does The HCG Diet Work?
Logic tells us that people lose weight with HCG drops because they are only eating 500 calories per day. That said, does this mean HCG drops don't help at all? As seen in the comments below, some people swear this stuff works. While I take them at their word, I still feel we need clinical studies to know.
Even if you don't believe it's all about the calories, before you spend your $40 – $60 a month on HCG supplements, ask the person selling the product if they have any clinical proof that homeopathic HCG drops – plus eating 500 calories per day – causes more weight loss than ONLY eating 500 calories per day. Don't accept Dr. Albert Simeons' research because he didn't use HCG drops. He used injections of HCG.
This article is a joke. I have been using the drops for about 6 weeks with tremendous success. One of the best things I’ve ever done, thanks to my wonderful naturopath.
Ana, the science is a joke? Please specifically define what you mean by “tremendous success.” Have you reduced your calories to 500 calories per day? If yes that’s why you have lost weight.
One thing I never get. Many articles say that there is no HCG in the drops.
But if the Hormone is not present how can there be side effects such as hair loss etc..
Surely not from alcohol. I did the diet and had a small amount of hair loss. And irregular periods. Both are listed as side effects.
Both have never happened before or after. I did 800 – 900 calories per day. 2 Rounds and lost 14 Kgs. That was 1 year ago Since then I have lost a further 5 through eating healthier and playing squash 1-2 times a week.
Hi Diane, great question! I believe hair loss is a side effect of eating so few calories and not the HCG drops. Eating a very low calorie diet can also alter menstrual periods as well.
I believe websites which list hair loss and menstrual issues as side effects of HCG protocol are assuming its HGC when its really the drastic reduction in calories which accompanies the diet. That makes the most sense to me.
800-900 calories per day -which is more than the 500 calories often used with the HGC diet – is still less than we normally eat and will result in weight loss in most people.
I hope that helps Diane. if you have any other questions, just ask and I’ll be glad to help.
Hi I am currently doing a cleanse and reset and am using HCG homeopathic drops bought in Australia. I never feel hungry and only eating protein and vegetable. I am on Day 17 of my reset and have lost 5.2 kgs. (67.5kg down to 62.9kg).
I am usually a big eater and for me to not to be hungry during this cleanse is pretty amazing. I have a protein drink combined with a probiotic/prebiotic drink for breakfast and the rest whole foods with lean meat.
I do believe the HCG drops must be working.
Hi Shannen, thanks for sharing this. Its words like yours that makes me really want to see newer and better studies on homeopathic HCG supplements. Continued success and keep me posted on your progress 🙂
It is a false time worn concept that as in this case too that a homeopathic has ‘none of the original sustance.’ Up to 12 C or 24 X potencies there are minute amounts of the original ingredient! It is believed by some researchers that in the homeopathic process dilution/succussion (which biodynamizes the substance as the chemical bonds gather closer together as potency goes higher- as was done with nitric oxide – even high potencies small particles of the original ‘remedy’remain.
There are many hormones in your body that are LESS than a trillionth of a gram in size yet play very important roles in your bodies functions like immune and metabolism,etc.!!! A cell is absolute minutness!
It took a about a spoonful of uranium in the first atomic bomb that was dropped in Japan to devastate a large swath of land,buildings and people. Sorry, the body is composed of the micro -not the macro- as it is constructed with micro cells,etc.
Dr. Davis, It sounds like you have done some research on this so I’m hoping you can help me out.
1. can you point me to peer reviewed studies of humans showing orally taken HGH raises HGH levels in blood?
2. can you point me to peer reviewed studies of humans showing HGH helps weight loss, improves sexual desire or builds muscle?
This more than anything else will help us understand if HGH booster supplements really work. Other than what I’ve listed in this review, I can’t locate anything on these issues, so if you know of anything I missed, I’d be most grateful.
I have tried it and lost weight..it does work or the FDA wouldn’t have banned it..same with Ephedra..it worked and they made up some excuse to take it off the market..diet industry is making to much money to keep things on the market that work and don’t cost an arm and a leg. Not everyone can do it without some kind of help.
Hi Sandy, thanks for sharing and Im glad HCG helped you lose weight. While ephedra is banned in supplements it can still be obtained if one knows where to look for it. I feel it was banned not because it didn’t work – I agree it did – but because companies were putting more/less than was listed on the labels and people were taking more than they should (if 1 works 4 will work better…) and because of that there was a lot of bad publicity from deaths resulting from all of this.
As for HCG, I respect everybody’s opinion although I still dont see any human evidence. I’m still waiting on some doctor who sells HCG to publish a study on it.
Strange that the FDA/FTC/ATF allows a potent drug like alcohol to be sold to anyone over 21 and they can buy as many bottles as they want.
Murders are committed by people who are drunk as well as other forms of mayhem. I have said after studying stats-I am a life long researcher- for alcohol related crimes(‘drunk driving’ where thousands die and are maimed each year!!!) that if the Grand Canyon could be filled with ALL of the evil alcohol influenced from murder to rape,etc. ;it could fill up the Canyon -yet the public and the gov.is very permissive about this dangerous drug that can be purchased cheaply and without a prescription!!!
http://www.doctoroz.com/article/hcg-diet-research-study
Dr. Davis, thanks so much for posting that link to the Dr. Oz Show. I remember when that segment was televised in 2012. Just to see if anything changed since that segment aired, I looked up Dr. Sheri Emma and Dr. Lionel Bissoon. I wanted to see if either of them had published any HCG weight loss research studies since appearing on Dr. Oz.
I searched pubmed.gov for “HCG Bissoon” and “HCG Emma.” I did the same pubmed search but replaced HCG for “Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.”
I also checked their respective websites too. If those studies exist, I could not find them.
Just my 2 cents but if I was a doctor -a scientist- and discovered something that really worked, I would conduct an experiment to prove it. I’d do this so I could help as many people as possible. If they or others ever publish research on HCG injections or HCG drops, I’ll add it to this review when I become aware of it. Here’s my review of HCG injection research.
I wish the Dr Oz show would do its own clinical study of HCG injections (hint, hint, dr oz 🙂 )
I do agree that I don’t understand why the FDA coming down so hard on HCG drops. I’m not convinced HCG drops contain HCG.
Dr. Davis, I’ve seen what alcohol abuse can do peoples lives too so I agree 100%.
Thank you for presenting the facts and lack thereof. I am curious to know if one should seek a prescription for HCG supplements from a doctor, or is this purchased otc? I see others commenting on phase 1 or 2, and I’d like to know where they are finding the HCG 500-calorie plan.
I am shocked to learn that most products claiming to be HCG drops contain no actual HCG. How can one be certain? Would an Rx be more likely to contain actual HCG?
Hi Amberly, yes with true homeopathic products, they are diluted so much that very little if any of the original compound exists anymore. Also, while I know there are good companies out there, according to the dietary supplement education act (DSHEA), nobody really is making companies put what they are supposed to in supplements. Its the “honor system.” Most companies do but when it comes to homeopathic HCG, I doubt if they contain any HCG.
There are doctors who will prescribe HCG for “off label use” in other words for unapproved reasons. I do think that is better than using a supplement but even then, whether it HCG really works or not I think is open to speculation.
There are recipes all over the web on the 500 calorie per day eating plan. Those who do this really have to think about what they are eating. They cant make any mistakes. I believe they should be getting some protein and healthy fats whit most if not every meal.
BTW, I noticed you liked my facebook page today. Love your name! 🙂
The bottles that I order online clearly show on their label that they contain HCG, but not how many mgs. I did lose 65 lbs on the injection and diet process several years ago and felt wonderful, full of energy and felt younger than my age of 78. Now take the drops, but they don’t seem to work, I had gained back 20 lbs and stuck there for a year now! Of course, I have a problem of cheating on the diet, it gets very boring!
Reta, that is interesting that your brand says it contains HCG. The fact that they dont mention how much makes me wonder. Can you name the brand that you currently use? I’m curious and would like to take a look at it.
I too lost weight with hcg homeopathic drops but could no longer get these certain ones…..I had tons of energy, no hunger pains & lost approx 4 lbs per week w 600 cal & exercise
It really works….
You really have to try it to know the benefits. Thinking and reading evidence makes no sense when youve done the diet and reaped the benefits. Its not easy to do because the food choices are not very exciting during the first stage but not being hungry does make it easy to follow.
Would i do it again…No! Why? Because I dont need to……
My only contraindication…dont consider this diet if you have gallbladder problems as it can agravate.
Lyni, THanks for sharing and Im glad HCG helped you. Do you think is it possible that weight loss occurred because you had fewer foods to choose from (and eating fewer calories)?
Did the diet cause you to have gallbladder problems? I remember many years ago the same thing happening with NutraSystem. I believe the were cleared causing it in a court case but Im not sure of the specifics. it was back in the early 1990s.
Has anyone tried these drops when they were not over weight. I have about 15-20 lbs to loose and healthy eating and working out hasn’t helped me. Anyone lost their weight in the stubborn areas? under the arms? Tire around the stomach? Do you feel exhausted working a full day? I have a child so working full time and full time mom. Thanks!
Hi Brandy, for what its worth, I’m not aware of anything – other than surgery – that only removes fat from certain areas (under the arms etc.). I know most here don’t believe me but I think your energy would be low if you only ate 500 calories per day.
Just paid what I feel was waaaaay too much for this program. My daughter has struggled with Metabolic Syndrome, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and other health issues for years. Drs have consistently failed to find a cure for her maladies so we try whatever we feel may work. A relative has had success so “Here’s Hoping”!!
Just wanted to say I truly appreciate how you presented your findings and COMMEND YOU HIGHLY for how you respond to comments. You are only inquisitive. Never abrasive nor judgemental.
Keep putting out alternative information. We need it!!
I’ll let you know her results in 44 days 🙂
Hi Alesia, thanks so much for your nice words. I really do appreciate them. So sorry to hear about what your daughter is going through. I know PCOS and diabetes appear to be related so as diabetes gets better, it should help the PCOS. I know some of the programs can be expensive and I understand your frustration too. Its your daughter and you want to help her. Hopefully this will help. Do let me know how she is progressing on the program.
Taking Iodoral iodine/iodide (aka Lugol’s Solution) may help with the PCOS. It also helps with fibrocystic breasts.
(4) 12.5mg tablets/day for 3 months, then 1/day maintenance. Any excess is peed out.
Low iodine can cause retardation in babies, so 1/day is safe during pregnancy. The 12.5mg amount is based on what the average Japanese eats in a day, and they have one of the lowest cancer rates in the world.
Dr. David Brownstein, MD has a whole book on Iodide.
Thanks Susan.
Hello Joe and Brandy, there is a way how to remove fat from specific areas without surgery and it’s called “lipomassage”. The fact is if you need to reduce those unwanted bits of fat no matter what help you choose you need to work on your eating habits. The other fact is to be on 500 calories a day means to malnourished your body though to do it you really have to eat high quality protein and be on some great nutritional supplements.
yes brandy they do work 🙂 I started the diet two weeks ago last Tuesday the first week was the hardest and I lost 13 lbs and inches in my neck and arms and whole upper body slower in mid but I am very impressed and my kids and husband all see it. I am hardly hungry even at my meal times.
I eat plenty fruits and veggies and my meals they come out looking really big portioned actually. There is many great recipes on Pinterest. But ill keep you posted later on:) .
HCG really works! I think it’s the most safest diet ever out there. To answer your question about if anybody tried eating normal without cutting back while on the HCG yes I had done that quite too many times.
You don’t lose weight you actually gain the weight if you don’t cut back to 500 calories. This happened to me many times when I cheated while on the diet. NOT a good thing to do, because you seriously gain all the pounds you eat (literally).
Sticking to the protocol with HCG in your system melts the fat away 🙂 The important thing is to maintain it after the diet!
Hi Ginger, thanks for sharing. Question, if what you say is true “you dont lose weight you actually gain weight if you dont cut back to 500 calories,” Doesn’t that prove it comes down to calories?
I’m still hoping someone does studies on muscle loss during the HCG/500 calorie per day protocol.
Have you read Dr Simeons’s manuscript? He explains how it works. I have documented many cases of fat loss with hcg both homeopathic and injectable using Bio Impedance Analysis. The fat loss would not occur with 500 calories without the HCG
Hi Lisa, I do have an ebook that lists Dr Simeon as the author. It’s called “Pounds and Inches.” It’s quite long and does go into some detail. What I have never been able to to locate however is where Dr. Simeon ever published his research in a medical journal. The manuscript talks about all the research hes done but I cant find anything. I would have loved to see all his data on how he conducted his research.
Bio electric impedance analysis (BIA) is a common technology used to measure body fat. But, its not the best measurement – especially the devises that are widely sold in stores. While they will provide a general, pretty good idea of body fat, they might also overestimate or underestimate body fat in some people.
Do you know the make/model of BIA device you were using?
I was on this diet for 1 month using the drops and was happy to lose about 30 lbs.
We started out eating only 500 calories a day but this gradually increased to 800 plus.
We were encouraged to drink a lot of water and not exercise.
It was my experience and that of others in this program that meals were boring but we weren’t overly hungry.
I was greatly encouraged by the fact that every morning when I weighed myself I had lost some weight. This made it much easier for me to continue with the plan.
I went out one day for a long walk and noted that I didn’t have a lot of excess energy for heavy exertion.
After the month was over I was able to start eating a more normal diet but not overdoing carbohydrates as I had been before.
I have regained a little weight but am pretty happy with where i am at.
I still have to fine tune my diet and exercise.
Participants in this program noted many side benefits such as blood pressure reduction, less acid reflux, etc, etc. This program seemed to provide a lot of benefits.
Hi Larry, thanks for the feedback. I think the reduction in BP and acid refulx is probably tied to the weight loss, which I still believe is due to the reduction in calories rather than HCG itself. It makes sense you would not have much energy for exercise eating only 500-800 calories per day. Regardless, I am happy that you are happy with the results you obtained and wish you much continued success going forward with your exercise and diet regimen.
I invite you to check out Kevin Trudeau’s book “The Weight Loss Cure”. He goes into detail about how it works, 1000 calories of stored fat get released into your system, it is not merely an appetite suppressant. He specifically mentions several times that the homeopathic version does not work, but the real hormone does. At the time of his publishing, only one Dr. prescribed the real deal. About $500. It works, I did it. This is how stars can show up looking amazing.
Hi Mic, There is no doubt Kevin is a marketing genius. He is still in jail, serving a 10 yr term associated with the promotion of the weight loss cure
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trudeau-appeal-idUSKCN0VE2O3
Kevin also promoted a cure for Herpes on TV which I reviewed here Herpes Cure Report Review Every day spammers try to post links to their fake disease cures on this review.
HCG drops works. I worked out for 3 months in the gym and stayed on a restricted diet without HCG drops. I lost about 10 pounds in 3 months (very slow weight loss). I started HCG without exercise and lost 8 pounds in 1 week (Fast). While I was working out in the gym 3 days a week and on a restricted diet without the HCG drops I felt hungry and weak all the time. While on HCG I do not feel weak. However , a bit hungry at times but I forget to eat.
My brother did HCG three years ago and he lost over 100 pounds in 3 months. The weight is still off. He actually started selling the drops and promotes the product. The drops work… and it’s not just the calorie restriction. I tried to do the 500 calorie food restriction without the drops because research said the drops don’t work, however I almost passed out with a terrible Headache.
The drops allows me to restrict my diet with out the headaches or feeling weak. So it’s doing something and working! I do advise anyone who start HCG to get your mind focused because the diet is very difficult and expensive to maintain.
You must be serious about the challenge you are about to take on. Once I lose 25 pounds, I’m done and I don’t think I can do it again. I will go back to the gym and take the slow route of losing my goal weight of 50 pounds.
talltee7, thanks for sharing. Question, if HCG is working for you and you say you even forget to eat, why do you also say that once you lose 25 lbs that you you “dont think I can do it again?” What would stop you from doing HCG again? Just curious.
I can’t believe so many people beleive this stuff works… It’s water! Memory water? Seems to have a better momory than me
Aaron, I hear you. Some people here -and in my review of HCG injections have said some pretty amazing things. Because of the lack of good research, I still believe its the reduction in calories that’s causing the weight loss people are seeing. I really wish somebody -like those doctors with HCG weight loss clinics – would publish some studies.
HCG works. Without question. I wrote out a much longer comment that I then lost, but the gist of it was – I have done homeopathic HCG several times. EVERY day I follow it properly I lose 0.8 to 1.5 pounds. If I have something one day off protocol by mistake I don’t lose weight (the wrong kind of breadsticks usually). I have tried fasting without HCG & have yet to make it through a single day. I can do 5 days HCG without blinking, & never feel sick, dizzy, weak etc. Ive done fasts before & felt dreadful. AND lost far less weight!!! I weighed myself every day on one fast in Thailand & it took 4 or 5 days to show any weight loss on the scales. Then I lost about 5 pounds over 10 days which I promptly re gained. A complete waste of time.
I have NEVER started an HCG round without losing at least 3 pounds on the first day after my 500 cals. Then its a pound every day. Ive bought drops that don’t work (you can soon tell) & tried the actual hormone sub lingually (less forgiving of cheats & no more weight loss). I’m not massively overweight & so on normal diets find it difficult to lose weight (well, ok to stick to them enough to lose weight).
I just dont understand the problem here. There are forum filled with hundreds of people doing this & getting exactly the same results. Fat, thin, young, old, if you take the drops/HCG & stick like glue to the protocol you WILL lose a pound a day. Yet the shops & internet is awash with rubbish that just doesnt work. I have NEVER had any side effects & mostly feel pretty good (if a bit hungry). Its 3.45pm & I have had 2 & a half cups of coffee, 2 grissini & one apple all day. And Im fine. About to have 2 boiled eggs which will see me through to dinner at about 9pm (along with lemon juice & sweetener in a litre of water at about 7).
Im sure you mean well Joe but trust me this is NOT the placebo effect. I don’t know how it works but it does. I don’t believe in astrology, ghosts, mediums or anything that could be considered bunkum. But if you believe in a God then this isnt too much of a stretch. I only believe in things I can prove, & I have proved this to myself time & time again.
I just dont know why it seems to be such a problem for various governmental bodies. Can it really be the all powerful diet lobby? I guess its possible, with the rubbish a lot of our food is filled with it does seem that money talks, & this cant be easily monetised.
Tina, thanks for sharing. Question. Have you ever tried to just do HCG and not do the 500 calories per day (eat regularly I mean). Do you still lose weight? Or have you tried to eat just 500 calories and not use HCG to see if you lose weight? I don’t doubt what you are saying and believe me, I’m not trying to discount weight that you are losing.
I just keep coming back to the fact that most people will lose weight eating only 500 calories per day. I also cant find any good clinical trials on HCG drops (why are no doctors who prescribe HCG drops publishing research so we can all be better educated on it?).
All the research I see is on HCG injections (Click the link to see my review).
I have actually done the hcg drops from total life changes lost 28 lbs kept it off and whene i started the maintenance stage i only added about a hundred calories to my diet the first couple of weeks. Needless to say i wasn’t dropping that pound a day i was while on the drops they worked for me and I’m doing great a total of 48 after the drops through diet and exercise.
Tvasser, thanks for sharing. did you use the drops in addition to eating only 500 calories per day?
Joe, no doctors want to put themselves out there for FDA/Big Pharma to attack, kill or shut down… People can decide for themselves. It works!! 500 cal a day without the HCG burning up stored fat to provide energy for the body is foolish and dangerous. Read Dr. Simeons research and UNDERSTAND it. Its not that difficult.
Josie, I have read Dr. Simeons research. It involved injections of HCG, not taking HCG drops. Doing a research study on homeopathic HCG and weight loss would not cause the FDA or big pharma to shut down a doctors practice. If anything, if that research was properly done – placebo controlled, double blinded with enough people, it would spark new research from others into this weight loss regimen.
Given that nobody has looked at this for decades, I would welcome this research.
Hear, hear! And I cheat quite a lot and I’m STILL losing! Just a bit slower than when I’m careful.
So I took HCG drops for 40 days and lost about 22 pounds. I felt great until a couple of days after I stopped taking it. I started feeling anxiety and burning all over my body especially my scalp. I have been to the Dr. and he did blood work and everything was normal. He does not know about me being on this HCG. Does anyone feel that this could be the reason. He just says its anxiety and I need to take it easy. Any thoughts?
Jasmine, sorry to hear you are going through all that. Did you just use HCG or did you use it in addition to eating 500 calories per day? just curious. Why didn’t you tell your doctor you were taking HCG? Again, just curious.
HCG cuts the hunger cravings so you can stick with the 500 calories to lose the weight. Yes, it is the eating 500 calories that helps you lose and not the HCG itself that causes you to lose weight. HCG keeps your hunger in check so you can eat 500 calories for the short term to get the weight off.
Radobound, if this effect really happens – that HGC cuts hunger cravings – when where is the evidence? Where are the clinical studies?
Peace
Omnitriton does have HCG drops on their website for sale. I have taken them and they work. You load for 2 days while taking the drops and then eat the 500 calorie protocol (foods in the list) for 21 days or 28 days.
The reason it works is because it attacks your fat and takes your fat first.
You feel great, you do not crave. If you notice when you do the Hormone HCG drops and lose your weight….do not have excess fatty areas….. like other diets. Pay attention to the foods on the 500 calorie list.
Sue O, with respect, I believe you are proving my point. You said are only eating 500 calories per day and “to pay attention to the foods on the 500 calorie list.” How do you know its not the 500 calorie diet that’s causing the weight loss and not the HCG drops?
Has anyone lost weight eating regularly while using HCG?
To answer your question, you’re losing to everyone, I’ve definitely lost weight while eating normal while taking the drops. And I lost a LOT. I think it’s a combination of being an excellent crave suppressant for us food junkies (I crave food constantly) and doing something that I cannot understand. I’ve never done the 500 cal food plan, and I have no idea what that is. But I don’t crave junk, so I am able to make better choices and avoid things like ice cream, etc..
My question is, why does it matter HOW it works? The fact of the matter is, it works amazingly well. If you get the RIGHT brand (some brands don’t do the same thing for me, and you can tell because it’s a dramatic change in the way you view food), you will drop excess, stubborn weight like crazy.
Hi Miriam, Glad its working for you. For me, I want to see research because thats the kind of person I am. You do bring up a good point about finding the RIGHT brand.” What brand is that? Nobody knows. Even if I’m wrong and this stuff works, without good research, nobody knows what the right brand or brands are. What brand are you using and where do you get it?
no, it wont work. you will gain weight because you are keeping the “gate” open… have you even read the study or Kevin Truedaus book?? Educate yourself
Josie, I’m aware of Trudeau’s book. All I can say is I’ve showed you research – and lack of research – here. Show me published clinical human studies on hcg and weight loss in humans. If anyone can, I’m glad to add them to my review. I cant find any.
It’s an interesting read. What say the author of those, like me; who started the drops and LOST weight on the first two days. Those first two days were “load” days in which I ate EVERYTHING fatty my heart desired to the point of wanting to vomit.
I lost 10.3 pounds those two days, clearly I didn’t lose because I was eating only 500 calories per day.
Perhaps it’s a manufacturer issue, quality products see the results where others don’t. In my case, I used Omnitrition.
Ks while I’m very happy for what you say, what say you that nobody who makes hcg drops wants to put any money into publishing a study to prove to me they work? That’s sad given all the money that’s been made on this stuff.
I can see u r being sturbon but i cured my fatty liver non alcoholic one which in medical terms after cirrhosis impossible but let me tell u something rather than asking evidence practice it n u will find result so basically homeopathic hcg is working in alternative way it’s consuming your fat cell rather than anything else so that’s how these all ppl r happy whereas u r not happy because either u r a nutrition or something those rely on theories but don’t know what’s practical so if u want to see superficial result add hcg n vitamin e capsules u will see result and definitely calory deficit diet until u don’t obtain what u r looking for n later on slowly go on normal eating just keep your self active that’s all as without fat cell u can’t be same as u were n too be on that condition u need to rebuild fat cells
Im glad your fatty liver is gone! I would point out that weight loss in general will improve fatty liver but either way the important thing is you made a great improvement in your health and I am happy about that!
I checked Omnitrition site and they don’t sell hcg drops. Can someone recommend a trustworthy site to buy homopathic hcg drops please. Thanks,
Peace, my advice is don’t trust any of them until they show you proof (research, not testimonials) that their product works.
Joe, I am from a medical family where nothing was considered true unless there was a published peer-reviewed study (or 10) in an esteemed medical journal. Let’s be honest though. That actually doesn’t always mean anything in real terms if you consider drugs such as Thalidomide that were researched and found to be fine with no side effects. We need to keep things in perspective and not be fixated on one track only.
Believing something only because it has been researched and published in a journal is simplistic. We must use our own intelligence as well. Good science is based just as much on observation as anything else.
Funding research is astronomical in cost – If you are that keen for the research, why not spend some of your time finding out ways to fund some independent research on this, rather than asking people who cannot know the answer? I haven’t tried this program at all, but have enjoyed reading all the comments.
Tina, thanks for writing. Science and rational thought are my “rudders” in this world and while I agree nothing is perfect, they do provide a good way to navigate through the fact and fiction when it comes to supplements and the claims made about various products. I am very open to the possibility that there is something to homeopathic HCG supplements and I am intrigued by those who have said it works, but I will need hard facts (studies) before I am on board with it.
As you read in my related review – HGC shots – those researchers observed that they didn’t work overall in studies. Well, if shots of HCG didn’t work, why would taking HCG orally work? We dont even have any proof that the drops really have any HCG?
While I appreciate your challenge for me to spend my time finding how to fund research, I have already done that in other posts. Here is my way to do the research:
1. Give the product to a grad student at a university and have that person run an experiment.
2. This way the company incurs very little cost. The grad student gets a good topic for a thesis/dissertation. The university and the professors overseeing the study get another study with their name on it.
3. This can be done in such as a way as the sponsoring company plays no role in the data collection or Interpretation of the data.
The doctors who prescribe HCG supplements and the companies who sell products sold in stores can both afford to do this.
Really glad you found the conversation enjoyable. I do as well 🙂
My understanding of the studies that were done on the HCG injections did not follow Dr. Simeon’s diet as prescribed so was not a valid study of his diet and protocols with HCG
Hi Lisa, when I looked at the research on the injections, it did appear some also put people on a very low calorie diet in addition to HCG injections. For example, on investigation done in 1963 put people on a 550 calorie diet in addition to HCG injections. Another study, from 1973 gave people 500 calories a day + HCG injections.
Here’s my review of HCG injection research
If you take a look at that, do you see anything I missed as far as what the researchers didn’t do? Was there anything else to Dr. Simonon’s diet other than HCG injections and a very low calorie diet?
I told u take 10 candidates females 100+kg 30+ nd use vitamin e and hcg double dosage, give them 100gram of lean beef sufficient as already they have enough inside , max 2 to 4 egg whites n less than a month u will see transformation just only one thing keep them active n keep junk away their all constipation, unshaped issues will be resolve n personally i prefer rather than beef just lentil thin soup n small portion of rice with spice or diet u can decide ur own it will not cost u too much but u can make good money
why would vitamin E be necessary? the original reserved on the HCG diet didnt use vitamin E.
I HATE when people are so negative…especially the people who have NO CLUE about the drops. I’ve only been on them for 3 days (2 days were loading and 1 day on Phase 2) and in one day I’ve lost 5 pounds. FIVE! My body would normally take an entire week to lose five pounds. And yes, I exercised with the program; nothing intense (which I miss), but I’ll return to intense workouts once I’m done Phase 2.
My point is that unless you actually USED the drops, you have no valid comments on this subject and should just shut it.
Linda, I am happy for you -I REALLY AM! I dont feel its negative though to point out that there are no published studies on HCG drops. Even Dr. Oz has expressed skepticism about them. Has anyone lost weight eating normally – while using HCG drops? I dont think anybody has chimed in with this so I’m curious. I dont know the answer. I wish somebody would test them.
you cant eat normally on this diet because that is not how it works. The drops have several purposes. 1 is to stop the hunger. I have eaten a 500 cal diet before and it is VERY VERY VERY hard to maintain, and I lost no weight. I felt week, hungry, and shaky. On the drops I get none of that. So that alone is one reason to do them. The other is the weight loss.
It is part drops and part diet. Just because we dont know the exact science doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. I have lost .5-1 lb per day. How can you say it doesn’t work when people are loosing weight? I didn’t lose on the 500 cals and day and couldn’t maintain it for more than a few days. On HCG I lose every day I follow the diet. And can maintain the diet for many days.
Hi Jo, this is true, lack of evidence doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. While I am happy that you are losing weight, I also feel companies should invest some of their money into providing proof. Do read this review of HCG Diet for weight loss.
Oh … I forgot to mention that the clients I have helped so far have all reacted in the same way and this has been consistent across different age groups, men and women. All of us have returned to eating a normal, healthy number of calories after completing phase 2.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this protocol an even more when it comes to the homeopathic hcg, but despite no factual evidence, it works as promised and people end up healthier than they were before, unlike a starvation diet which is guaranteed to result in deficiencies and other health problems.
The key lay in the quality of the product you are using and knowing the protocol backwards.
I have recently started up a weightloss centre based on homeopathic HCG that I have especially made up for me. I never intended starting this up (I already have a very demanding business in IT), but kind of got pushed into it by people who saw my results and insisted I help them too.
A bit of background: I am in my 50’s, under 5ft tall. I have been fat my entire life, with more and more fat accumulating as the years progressed until I ended up morbidly obese. I tried everything through the years and if I didn’t gain weight, I remained stagnant. This includes professionally devised eating plans, hectic exercise routines, scientific diet plans based on lab tests and chemical analysis of the body that takes into account genetics, etc. I even tried starvation and fasting. I actually gained weight and became very weak.
Eventually I was told by doctors that I would never be able to lose weight because I have hypothyroidism and have a lifelong deficiency of human growth hormone.
Out of sheer determination and a refusal to be a victim of my body, I started to research and enrolled for studies in nutrition and physiology. After quite a few months I stumbled across the Dr Simeon’s protocol and then spent the next 18 months researching more, then experimenting and finally trying it.
By the time I felt comfortable enough to try it, the FDA had already stepped in and I approached a homeopath to make it up for me.
45 pounds lost in 14 weeks (2 rounds). No regain. Never hungry. Skin and general tone looked incredible throughout and people never stop commenting on how young my face looks now. – Exactly as Simeon recorded.
Even though I expected the results, I was still amazed.
Here is a tip to those people who are trying the homeopathic HCG diet and using a formula that is in fact based on HCG – not just a bunch of amino acids and supplements being marketed as HCG: Get yourself some urine test sticks and test your protein and ketone levels. You will very quickly see if you are losing muscle or fat.
In case anyone here thinks I am just trying to market myself … I am not even in the USA and nor are any of my clients. I have nothing to gain from this post at all.
Hi Vivienne. Do you mind sharing the Homeopathic brand please?
I just want to say the drops or injections are wonderful. Nobody can do it eating 500 or 800 calories alone. If you want to do exercises you must eat more, 1000 to 1200 calories, always avoid sugars and carbs.