Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) And Weight Loss: Fact Or Fiction?
 There's been a flurry of renewed interest in human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for weight loss recently.
Not surprising, really.
I suspect this has something to do with the fact that Kevin Trudeau's latest book, "The Weight Loss Cure "They" Don't Want You to Know About" -- a book that has received huge exposure and is a top seller in just about every market -- features a period of daily HCG injections for weight loss.
|
Anything Mr. Trudeau "recommends" should be approached with a great deal of skepticism. This guy is a con man with a long track record of fleecing the public of its hard earned cash.
He's been fined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for making false and unsubstantiated claims (apparently, he claimed his coral calcium supplement could cure cancer) and banned from making further infomercials (click here for info!).
He is now being targeted by the FTC for his "weight loss" book and for violating his previous court order. This banned him for making infomercials for any products other than books. Originally, the FTC agreed to allow Mr. Trudeau "free reign" with books, provided he did not misrepresent the content of them. Now the FTC claims his diet book -- which is advertised as "easy and simple" is anything but. Click here to read the FTC press release!
For those of you who believe Mr. Trudeau is the victim of some sort of conspiracy orchestrated at the behest of the pharmaceutical industry, I recommend checking out any of the over 400 customer complaints posted at Infomercialscams.com.
If he truly were the victim he claims to be, it seems unlikely he would insist on perpetuating the deceptive billing practices his customers accuse him of (most complaints are related to his "Natural Cures" publication, but I'm sure you'll see similar ones related to his new book soon).
|
Before discussing human chorionic gonadotropin's "place" in any weight loss strategy, let's discuss what it is...
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced during pregnancy. The hormone is present in the urine, and it's the presence of HCG that home pregnancy kits are "checking" for when such a test is performed. In a nutshell, if HCG is present, you're pregnant, if it's not... you're not.
Because it can also be created by some kinds of cancer, HCG can serve as an important tumor marker as well.
When human chorionic gonadotropin is prescribed in a medical scenario, it is either as a fertility medication (can be for both men or women), or to restore testosterone production in men.
But what about HCG's role in weight loss?
In 1954, Dr. Albert T. Simeons, a British-physician claimed HCG injections would allow dieters to manage easily on a 500 calorie per day diet. He claimed that HCG could suppress appetite, burn stored fat as well as redistribute fat from the hips, thighs and waist. Unfortunately, he had no clinical evidence to validate any of these claims.
But that's not to say that HCG's role in weight loss hasn't been studied. It has. Quite extensively.
And guess what?
Not a single study indicates HCG has any benefit for weight loss. None. Nyet. Nada. (see JAMA 236:2495–2497, 1976, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 29:940–948, 1976, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 12:230–234, 1963, S Afr Med J. 1990 Feb 17;77(4):185-9, West Journal of Medicine 127:461–463, 1977, Archives of Internal Medicine 137:151-155, 1977).
And these are only a few of the studies -- there are plenty more.
Bottom line?
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a dud for weight loss. Even if it were effective, it would not be easy to obtain. You'd need regular intramuscular injections, a "friendly" doctor to prescribe it for "off label" usage, and it would cost you and arm and a leg.
Save your money.
Have you used human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?
Tell us all about it!
Looking for a fat burner recommendation?
Read my review of Lean System Seven!
Have you been the victim of a product that makes exaggerated claims? Launch a complaint!
US visitors should submit a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission!
Canadians, submit a complaint at the Canadian Competition Bureau!
Back to UltimateFatBurner.com: Reviews of Fat Burners, Diet Supplements and Weight Loss Programs!
|
SEARCH SITE
