Anyone out there who is using HCG to lose weight - put your money back in your wallet. As summarized in an excellent position statement just released by the American Obesity Society, HCG does not work to help people lose weight - and - it could be dangerous.
The package insert that now must accompany HCG in USA summarizes it well:
“HCG has not...
Anyone out there who is using HCG to lose weight - put your money back in your wallet. As summarized in an excellent position statement just released by the American Obesity Society, HCG does not work to help people lose weight - and - it could be dangerous.
The package insert that now must accompany HCG in USA summarizes it well:
“HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”
In regards to the possible dangers of HCG, the position statement points out the following:
Safety: Although the dose of HCG used in the Simeon obesity treatment program may be at placebo
levels, it is unclear whether HCG for weight loss could be associated with safety concerns. HCG in
relatively low doses does have effects on the human endometrium, and the effect of a human
pregnancy hormone in males is also of some concern, particularly with regard to adverse effects on
prostate and male breast tissue. In addition, the quality, dose, and composition of “HCG” used by many HCG weight loss clinics are unknown.
Also, as blogged previously, HCG is usually prescribed by weight loss clinics in addition to a very low calorie diet, which are not long term solutions to weight management, and can be dangerous in their own right.
Dr Sue Pedersen www.drsue.ca © 2013
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