If you’ve read my bio, you know I’m a fitness coach and bodybuilder in addition to a tech geek. If health and fitness isn’t your thing, feel free to sit this one out.
The web is buzzing about this “new” controversial diet based on a hormone called HCG. Without getting too technical, HCG is a hormone produced by pregnant women to make sure the growing baby gets fed. Some guy decades ago hinted around that this same hormone could be used to suppress appetite and burn fat.
Fast forward to today and we have a bunch of folks on the Dr. Oz show “debating” whether the diet works. You’re limited to 500 calories each day, which means breakfast might be just a cup of coffee. Lunch might be a few lettuce leaves and a little protein (meat).
The problem with this diet is that there is no scientific proof that HCG actually suppresses your appetite or benefits your diet in any way. What we do know is that limiting yourself to 500 calories each day can be dangerous and is less than half the doctor-recommended 1200 calories.
This HCG Diet is not much different from most other diets out there. It’s similar to Atkins and Dramatic Weight Loss. The difference is that it includes some miracle drug that is probably only working as a placebo (this has been tested in a study of 600 participants).
Obviously, limiting yourself to only 500 calories a day will definitely help you lose weight. Assuming you don’t experience any severe side-effects like depression, loss of your menstruation cycle, and hair loss the hardest part will be your will to continue managing your portions and calories. It seems these HCG injections and drops provide a way to help you mentally deal with your hunger pains.
I’d steer clear if I were you.
Check out the entire episode at The Dr. Oz Show.
