HCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG or HCG is a [powerful polypeptide hormone found in pregnant women. The HCG hormone was first discovered in the 1920’s and sold as an extract by the pharmaceutical giant Organon under the Pregynl name. There were numerous reported benefits of administering HCG to a host of varying patients, and while some were indeed beneficial others would prove to be quite ridiculous.

One of the primary effects of HCG in the modern era is as a diet aid. The HCG diet has rapidly become popular in western medicine, but the overall effectiveness is perhaps the most debatable topic surrounding HCG. Both the American Medical Associated and American Society of Bariatric Physicians have been highly critical of the HCG diet. Both organizations have stated the only reason weight loss occurs is due to the starvation that often accompanies such a plan. HCG diets are often comprised of a total caloric intake of only 500 calories per day. When we look at the effects of HCG on the metabolism we further find it carries no thyroid stimulating abilities, it is not a beta-2 stimulant, it does not suppress or curb appetite and carries no functions or traits associated with a thermogenic or fat burning agent. However, numerous physicians have reported success with the HCG diet, but the starvation factor is met with a lot of criticism as this in of itself cannot be deemed a healthy long-term practice. Currently there is no solid evidence that the HCG diet itself is the reason for such patients experience weight loss that would not occur without HCG use if the same starvation plan was implemented. The debate on this diet will, however, more than likely continue for many years to come.