HCG Diet Dangers: Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?

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This diet is a 'destination' diet- like if you are going to the Bahamas, or going on t.v or something. I have 2 friends who have tried this, and of course it works if you stick to it. One has kept it off (but she is super strict on herself) the other probably wont, but they both are in the entertainment industry so needed a quick fix for an event.
Don't do it. Just do good old low carb and running. Slower results, but works for me- I've lost 20 pounds in 6 months since having my second baby. Not too bad.

neve of CA 7:50PM April 16, 2011

I lost over 30 lbs doing the hcg diet. I think it's always best to consult a doctor before doing any diet, but if ok I think this diet can work for anybody. I've since tried to help others learn about the diet and how it can help them. My site offers tons of information, recipes, education about the hcg diet and success stories including my own. www.hcgplan.net

Valerie of AZ 8:36AM April 16, 2011

The only thing that disturbs me about the diet is that it is quick fix and does not teach preventative methods of maintaining a healthy weight. Everyone wants a quick fix for everything. Americans are so lazy, misinformed and are suckers for everything that is put on TV or a magazine. I have read many articles about the pros and cons of doing the diet. My thing is why not promote have a healthy lifestyle? Why not lobby the government for programs designed for preventative care and healthy lifestyle practices. I have never struggled with major weight issues and maybe that is why I feel the way I feel about all of these "diets" that are out on the market. It is really about the almight dollar and people are to stupid to see that. The makers of the drugs are making money, the doctors and other health practitioners (might be mispelled) are making money. People need to wake up and pay attention to the foods that they are putting in their bodies and take walk, get active or do somthing constructive to maintain a healthy weight. People will go and spend money on all types of diet products but will not go to the whole food market and invest in healthy foods because of the price or do not understand the importance of being mindful of the foods you are eating. American or just guinne pigs for all sorts of products that are put out on the market. I can not wait for 15 years from now to see the long term side effects from taking this hormone as a weight lose supplement. There will probably be an info commercial that will come on at 2:00 am in the morning saying something like.." if you have taken hcg and suffer from these aliments, call such and such attorney office".. To funny... I crack myself up

melmel of TX 11:31PM April 15, 2011

HCG works-- 100%
But you MUST follow the protocol perfectly. If you do, it's safe and effective.
Don't take ANY news articles at face value, please research for yourself.
READ Dr. Simmeon's original study, "Pounds and Inches" (it's readily available on the internet, for free).
READ Kevin Trudeau's "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About", a modern-take on Simmeon's protocol (don't let the details of his phase 1 intimidate you, you don't have to do all of that).
Read it for yourself. Educate yourself.
Then make a fact-based decision. based on what's best for YOU.

Ari of TX 8:00PM April 14, 2011

After 2 weeks on the hcg diet, I lost only 9 lbs, but the worst of it, it made me sick to my stomach, one morning I threw up my breakfast (half a grapefruit) and after that I felt very weak. I took my blood pressure and it was extremely low, so i thought it is not that bad and I continued to take the drops!But I was no longer loosing weight and tried all the advice mentioned in the book. This morning, I could barely get up, my blood pressure was below normal for me ( 101/65) so I had to stop! Don't know why this happened but you shoud think twice before starting this diet!

Bernadette Burke of NJ 2:15PM April 11, 2011

It makes me angry to read some of these comments. Obviously, most of these people either work for companies that sell HCG and want to make it sound as though it works when it doesn't, or they have completely brainwashed themselves into believing they were not hungry and it was working the way the HCG product pushers said.
I have friends that did the HCG diet, and they ALL regained big time once they finished the plan. Most were hungry and tired all the time, but they kept convincing themselves that it was "So worth it!" But guess what -- they are now larger than they ever were, and believing in this fraudulent diet plan has messed up their metabolism to the point they have a more difficult time than ever losing weight.
I am SO glad that the FDA made it illegal to sell HCG products over the counter. Hopefully, their next step will be to start cracking down on the doctors and clinics that prescribe HCG for weight loss when there is absolutely no evidence that is effective for that!
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/hcg-diet-look-elsewhere-for-weight-loss/

Rachel of NH 5:27PM April 08, 2011

I don't know if there is any way this article could be more misinformed or misleading. You people obviously know nothing about what you are talking about but you are taking it upon yourselves to try to inform others. I think that is called "the blind leading the blind". After a great deal of study I decided to give this program (it is NOT a diet) a try. In the process I got my weight down lower than it has been in half a century (over 50 pounds in a month and a half). But that was just a side benefit. I felt better and nagging health problems I'd been dealing with for quite a while seemed to go away. My blood pressure went down. You'll also find your taste in food changes to become more healthful.
One of the main goals in the program is to change the body's metabolism so that it is easier to keep the weight off after the first phase is completed.
I wonder how many billions this Cohen guy from Harvard gets from the drug companies to keep this obesity problem a mystery for the American people. I don't think I've heard someone make a bigger fool out of themselves in quite a while. Unfortunately, he might have fooled a few.
You'll notice he is short on facts but long on opinions. He says people could be hurt by this "diet." I think it is mainly his bank account he is talking about hurting.

Milt Marcy of OR 1:56PM April 06, 2011

Why bother with the risks of an hGC diet when Metformin/Glucophage can do the same thing without all of the risks and costs.

Michael Alvarado of CA 11:53PM April 05, 2011

You all really should talk to people that know somthing about this diet. I know many people that have had great success with this diet and have improved their health. I work with a women that was on three blood pressure pills, diabetic medication and high cholesterol medication and she is off almost all of her meds after lossing weight on this diet. And does anyone think about the side effects of long term use of those medications. I myself have lost 80 pounds and have lowered my blood pressure and have no pain as I was having hip pain so bad at night I was not able to sleep. I believe the goverment wants to stop this and write damaging articles like this because they are not making any money off of it and the drug companies are paying them because they are worried about their pocket book. Your information is soo old 1995 really. Someone needs to do more research before writing articles. Talk to real people not the goverment. And if this works for people what does it hurt!!! If it "all in our mind" how are so many people having success with this. Does it not make more sense to not go under anesthesia and get cut on and possibly die than to try something that is "all in our heads"!! I know a number of people that would gladly take part in an interview about the success of HCG. Articles like this make me realize the control that our goverment wants over our life.

Melissa Headlee of OK 11:11AM April 05, 2011

How completely irresponsible of you to run a report with such a biased point of view. It's obvious you've got the cons of this diet but where are the pros and the additional research about HOW this hormone can and DOES work for millions. This isn't the only hormone based diet plan in existence and EVERY diet plan has it's drawbacks. If you have bad genetics, or previously damaged arteries because of a lack of physical activity, there is little one can do to improve their odds. However If eating organic produce and proteins and limiting carbohydrates from my diet can kill me then i'd rather die a happy person instead of the fat, depressed, miserable blob i was three weeks ago.

Havana of CA 11:45PM April 04, 2011