HCG Diet – Myths and Facts
- Dec 22, 2021
HCG diet has been in use for about 50 years now but still manages to be the center of many controversies. Despite this, the HCG diet is only increasing in popularity since obesity is becoming an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. You can find a clinic that offers the program by just typing in phrases like “HCG diet near me” on the web but you might be troubled because of the numerous myths surrounding it. Thus, we have compiled some of the popular claims about the HCG diet and will set apart the myths from facts.
Myth 1: HCG diet can be harmful to the body.
This is the most common claim and sometimes it is even backed by medical professionals. But the mechanism with which the HCG diet works is completely safe and was developed by a doctor himself. HCG refers to the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone that is usually secreted in pregnant women. This hormone mobilizes the stored fat in the pregnant women’s body and helps in the growth of the fetus.
The same principle is used in the HCG diet program. HCG hormone injections are given to the person and the calories are restricted. Thus, the stored fat is mobilized by the hormone and in turn, increases the metabolism of the body resulting in weight loss.
Read Also: How to Keep the Weight Off After an HCG Diet Treatment
Myth 2: HCG diet is not healthy since there are insufficient calories and nutrition involved.
The diet plan while a person is on the HCG program certainly requires him/her to restrict calories for a certain amount of time. But the diet recommended consists of low-fat and high-protein content which is a healthy short-term diet.
The reduced calorie intake is only for a short period of time and as the plan progresses the patients will be able to increase the calorie intake. Also, the HCG injections will help your body release the stored calories from the fat and thus there will be enough calories for your daily need.
Myth 3: HCG diet goes against medical advice.
As we have mentioned before, the HCG diet was designed by a medical professional himself and it is still being advised by various medical professionals all over the world. In fact, the HCG diet should be completely supervised by a medical professional. The expert will formulate a proper diet plan along with prescribing the dosages of the injections making it completely safe for the patient undergoing the diet.
Myth 4: HCG diet is a fad; the low-calorie diet by itself can make you lose weight.
There is an argument that the weight loss resulting from the HCG program is purely because of the low-calorie diet and that the HCG injections have nothing to do with it. But while on the HCG program, the patient does not feel tired or fatigued despite being on a 500-calorie diet. This is because HCG helps the body burn the accumulated fat deposits for the extra need which isn’t possible with only the low-calorie diet.
Myth 5: HCG does not provide sustainable weight loss; you gain it all back.
This is another one of the popular myths that deter people from trying out the diet. The HCG diet is usually done in phases and the third phase is called the maintenance phase. It is to help the body sustain weight loss even after the HCG injections are stopped. During this phase, the patient needs to stay on the low-calorie diet (800-1000 calories per day) with light exercises.
The reason why most people gain back the lost weight is that they fail to follow these rules. Once the injections stop, most people tend to go back to their high-calorie diet and stop exercising.
Myth 6: There are too many side effects from the HCG diet.
Dieting usually comes with significant side effects like light-headedness, irritability, mild headaches, and sometimes hair loss. There is indeed a chance of occurrence of these side effects with the HCG diet too. But when it is properly supervised by a medical professional, you can avoid these side effects.
Myth 7: You can lose weight with just the HCG injections; there is no need for a diet and physical exercises.
For weight loss, your body needs to assume that it is in starvation mode and then let the HCG injections release the stored fat. But this will not be the case when you are on a high-fat diet while taking the injections. Some people might have found results with injections alone but it is hard to maintain the weight lost by that method.
HCG diet is considered to be exercise neutral meaning that you would lose weight even without exercise. But people on HCG diet are usually advised to perform light exercises since staying active will aid in keeping up the metabolism of the body. And to maintain the weight loss, you will have to start a daily workout routine anyway.
Myth 8: You can’t eat late-night snacks while being on the HCG diet.
You can eat any time of the day given that you stay under the mentioned calorie window. Thus, what you eat matters more than when you eat with HCG diet. Thus, if you are feeling an urge to eat, stick with the high protein and nutrient-rich late-night snacks.
Myth 9: The use of cosmetics and body creams will stop you from losing weight while on the diet.
This claim might seem bizarre but it is one of the most common myths surrounding the HCG diet. This is because a doctor who pioneered in HCG diet during the 1950s claimed that cosmetics and oils can prevent loss of weight during the diet. But his claims have been proven to be false after decades of deeper research. Thus, the person on the HCG diet can use cosmetics, lotions, oils and still lose weight by following the diet.
Rani MD
Phrases like “HCG diet near me” sometimes can provide you with random results. HCG diet should be supervised by a professional for the patient’s safety. We at Rani MD, provide a medically supervised HCG program in which we will help you with a complete diet plan along with HCG doses and nutritional supplements. Interested? Visit us here www.ranimd.com.