'HCG Diet' for Weight Loss?

Friends, I could probably figure out a way to beat around the bush and make this post the standard length. But given the apparent popularity of variations on the "HCG diet" theme, and the clarity of the one and only appropriate response to it -- I won't. This will be brief.

The HCG diet is entirely bogus. I believe it it will separate you from your money, and possibly your health.

The only advocacy for this diet comes from those peddling it and profiting from it.

I have done my best to search the world's scientific literature objectively, and the below abstracts constitute the bulk of the yield. They constitute a clear, scientific indictment of an insidious exploitation of weight loss desperation that has waxed and waned with memory. When people forget that HCG diet claims are all false, its popularity rises again.

Along with avoiding this dangerous snake oil yourself, please do me a favor and help spread the word. Just one word about the HCG diet will do. I won't say the word, but its initials are: BS.

Dr. David L. Katz
www.davidkatzmd.com
www.turnthetidefoundation.org

1. S Afr Med J. 1990 Feb 17;77(4):185-9.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled
trial. Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart RI, Bertram SR.

Department of Medical Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch,
Parowvallei, CP.

Low-dose human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) combined with a severe diet remains
a popular treatment for obesity, despite equivocal evidence of its effectiveness.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the effects of HCG on weight loss
were compared with placebo injections. Forty obese women (body mass index greater
than 30 kg/m2) were placed on the same diet supplying 5,000 kJ per day and
received daily intramuscular injections of saline or HCG, 6 days a week for 6
weeks. A psychological profile, hunger level, body circumferences, a fasting
blood sample and food records were obtained at the start and end of the study,
while body weight was measured weekly. Subjects receiving HCG injections showed
no advantages over those on placebo in respect to any of the variables recorded.
Furthermore, weight loss on our diet was similar to that on severely restricted
intake. We conclude that there is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in
the treatment of obesity.

PMID: 2405506 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2. Am J Clin Nutr. 1976 Sep;29(9):940-8.

Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin in weight reduction: a
double-blind study. Stein MR, Julis RE, Peck CC, Hinshaw W, Sawicki JE, Deller JJ Jr.

Our investigation was designed to retest the hypothesis of the efficacy of human
chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on weight reduction in obese women in a clinic
setting. We sought to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (1973) which had found
that the combination of 500 cal diet and HCG had a statistically significant
benefit over the diet and placebo combination as evidenced by greater weight loss
and decrease in hunger. Fifty-one women between the ages of 18 and 60
participated in our 32-day prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of
HCG versus placebo. Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in
the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was
counseled by one of the investigators who administered the injections.
Laboratory studies were performed at the time of initial physical examinations
and at the end of the study. Twenty of 25 in the HCG and 21 of 26 patients in the
placebo groups completed 28 injections. There was no statistically significant
difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received,
weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per
injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the
effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.

PMID: 786001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3. West J Med. 1977 Dec;127(6):461-3.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical
assessment of the Simeons method. Greenway FL, Bray GA.

Injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have been claimed to aid in
weight reduction by reducing hunger, and affecting mood as well as aiding in
localized (spot) reduction. We have tested these claims in a double-blind
randomized trial using injections of HCG or placebo. Weight loss was identical
between the two groups, and there was no evidence for differential effects on
hunger, mood or localized body measurements. Placebo injections, therefore,
appear to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity.

PMCID: PMC1237915
PMID: 595585 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Arch Intern Med. 1977 Feb;137(2):151-5.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity. Shetty KR, Kalkhoff RK.

After a nine-day control period, six hospitalized obese women were placed on 500
calorie diets and were given 125 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
intramuscularly daily for 30 days. Another five obese women received injections
of diluent only and consumed identical diets for the same period. Mean weight
loss in the HCG-treated group was nearly identical to that achieved by women
given the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold thickness or circumferential
body measurements of the chest, waist, hips, and thighs were not different.
Patters of change of a variety of plasma and urine substrates, electrolytes, and
hormones were similar in the two groups and consistent with semistarvation and
weight loss. These results indicate that HCG has no effects on chemical and
hormonal parameters measured and offers no advantage over calorie restriction in
promoting weight loss.

PMID: 836112 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Follow David Katz, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrDavidKatz

Comments

[Hcgplan]

10:28 PM on 03/15/2011

Everyone talks about how the obesity problem is out of control. Then they all bash the diets that come out. What's worse the obesity or the controversial diet. (That works by the way).

You can see proof that it works at http://www.hcgplan.net

[ProgressivesLoveAmerica]

02:07 PM on 02/26/2011

The way most fad diets work is that there's some kind of gimmick, and that gimmick is supposed make people feel speacial for following that diet - which gives them the confidence boost & motivation to stick with it.

The HCG diet fits right in. Let's face facts: weight loss is baout one thing- eating LESS. Everything else is just a way to get you to eat less. The HCG diet restricts your calorie intake to just 500 calories a day. It doesn't matter what other things you're doing!

If you're only eating 500 calories a day for a sustained period of time, you're going to lose weight.

[Soooztm]

03:56 PM on 02/23/2011

Look, scientifically valid or not. Placebo or real. It doesn’t really matter. I have been on it, with the
drops, since January 31 and have lost 32 lbs, that's real. I have been on EVERY diet under the sun
and this is working and encouraging and motivating because I continually lose weight. I cannot find
one bad harmful thing about this diet. I have searched high and low to find someone who says
bad, bad, bad about it and all I have found is "they can’t clinically prove it" whoopdee doo. It works!! So all you nay sayers SHUT UP! Go eat South Beach or Atkins or go get your fat butt weighed in
at a meeting with 35 other people and lose a pound a week and become discouraged. This works
and is not harmful.

[Matthew Boaman]

10:12 AM on 02/23/2011

The hcg diet definitely works. I used the injections for 21 days during P2 and lost about 17.5 pounds. My friends were all critizing me the whole time, saying that you could lose the same amount by eatnig right and excerising. I've done both of those for years and still couldn't shed the last fat I was trying to get rid of. For all of those people that are thinking about trying it, just do it. The cheapest place I found to buy the hcg diet supplies was http://www.pharmacyescrow.com/hcg-diet.aspx. Everything arrived in about two weeks, and within 3 weeks I was 17 pounds skinnier. My suggestion is if you're going to do the injections, you don't tell people you are doing that!

[ninja tiger]

03:39 AM on 02/22/2011

This diet works, but you must follow it exactly. I lost 27 pounds in 6 weeks without regaining in the ten months since, so it reset my metabolism. At 60 it is hard to loose weight, especially adrenal stress related weight as my extra fat did not relate to my eating habits nor caloric intake. I am an organic whole foods, mostly raw food vegetarian and do not ever eat fried foods, rich foods, dairy, wheat, or junk food, and I occasionally eat fish for protein. So it helped remove my stored, stress- related belly fat, and took me from a size 10-12 to a size 4-6. Read the original manuscript and get a qualified wholistic MD or ND to guide you thru the program. People who say it does not work, have either not tried it, or they have not followed the protocal correctly.

[Beth Golden]

11:00 PM on 02/01/2011

What great debates all over the internet about the hcg diet. I love it!

Isn't it interesting that the people who have success with this diet and have nothing but good things to say about it, are the same people who have failed miserably otherwise.

With that said, wouldn't it be nice to support these people instead of pounding them into the ground trying to convince them this isn't' the diet for them. With the rate of morbidly obese people in North America increasing every day, I would think we should be dancing in the street celebrating the overwhelming success so many are experiencing and cheering them on for long term success!

As for the mention of one hcg dieter who was weak while on the hcg diet, that's nothing more than electrolyte imbalance and people snap right out of it with correct re-mineralization. Hey, doctors prescribe appetite suppressants all day long and give B-12 shots so people can semi-function on no food. So if we need to be bashing ANY diet, it's this foolish behavior of medical doctors recommending starvation and a detrimental drug to keep them from eating..

Now THAT's what we should all be blogging about . . . not bashing people who have found a diet that works! I personally think we should respect each person's individual right to chose this diet or not and what gives anyone the right to tell anyone they shouldn't be doing a diet that works.

[Negin Anvar]

12:39 PM on 02/23/2011

This is one of the best comments I have read on this. Love it. Particularly the 2nd paragraph.
First, they tell everyone to lose weight. Then they get upset when something actually works.

[Beth Golden]

01:35 PM on 02/23/2011

Thanks, Negin. It really is absurd isn't it!! Did you see Dr. Oz yesterday? I will be posting my comments about some really great things they presented and some things they totally missed the mark on!

Everyone keeps referring to the HCG Diet as a 500 calorie diet....... It is NOT... it can be 350 or 650 calories, depending on protein and vegetable choices.. There are people who have actually created guidelines with CALORIES listed for foods... they are missing the POINT.. for the first time EVER in our lives, we can stop being walking calorie counting books!!.. NEVER, EVER do we have to count calories again...... never!! ... YEAH!

The MAIN thing I see everyone TOTALLY missing is in regard to the effect the HCG has on the hypothalamus gland... which is what REGULATES the release and storage of fat in relationship to energy (food) consumed... it doesn't FIX it as many claim, but we do see from physical results with people that we thing it is working to re-regulate it to a more normal function!

Anyway, thanks for your response!. Are you doing the hcg Diet?

[John egalthan Adams]

12:20 PM on 01/29/2011

What about The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 26: Effect of HCG on Weight Loss,February 1973, pp. 211-218.

Twenty female patients were divided into two groups, one with placebo and one with HCG injections ( drops did not exist at the time of this study). The HCG group lost significantly more mean weight, had a significantly greater mean weight loss per {dosage}, and lost a significantly greater mean percentage of their starting weight. The percentage of affirmative daily patient responses indicating "little or no hunger" and "feeling good to excellent" was significanty greater in the HCG group than in the placebo group.
Which I found here:
http://www.weightloss-hq.biz/diet-supplements/hcg-diet-know-the-facts.html

[kristinkoffa]

06:22 PM on 03/05/2011

Hi,
Sorry to bother you, but I'm trying to do my research on this topic, so I'm trying to find articles in favor and against it. But, the link you posted isn't working. Granted, this one you posted is from 1973, and there have been many studies since disproving it, but I like to read all sides of the story. Do you by any chance have a different link for it?
Thanks!

[kristinkoffa]

06:38 PM on 03/05/2011

Hi...sorry to bother you again. But, do you know what this journals ranking is? And what their acceptance percentage is for articles?
Thanks!

[rxvette]

06:55 PM on 01/28/2011

I came to the same conclusion as you Dr. Katz. This is another fad diet that helps a small amount of people profit from a scientifically disproven diet. Here's my review on it:

http://pursueahealthyyou.blogspot.com/2011/01/hcg-diet-short-term-weight-loss-long.html

Dustin Rudolph Pharm.D.

[AlaskanToo]

05:50 PM on 01/22/2011

The reason it works for some is because of the diet itself. Low caloric intake and restriction from foods with a high glycemic index and no dairy is why this works. Eating this way does not make you hungry. People have similar results eating a vegan diet high in raw foods.

[kristinkoffa]

06:36 PM on 03/05/2011

Are you an RD or MD? If not, could you please cite your source...I would love to read it.
Thanks!

[Lisa Brayer]

09:11 AM on 01/21/2011

I couldn't disagree more. There is nothing unsafe about the hcg diet. I did the homeopathic drops and lost 60 pounds in a few months and have kept it off for over a year! If you use a qualified coach to help you, like I did, (I used a true pro at www.yourhcgdietcoach.com ) you can change your life and the unhealthy risk of being overweight literaly overnight. Its not that expensive and its short term for life long results. I am off my diabete meds and the blood pressure meds too. I can now excersise and live my life to the fullest. There are lost of ways to lose weight, this is the most effective, fastest and safest diet I have very found.

[doctor know]

02:14 AM on 01/21/2011

I am a physician and I understand the benefit of evidence based medicine. But I can tell you from personal experience, experience with many friends and even some personal patients, that the hcg diet works and is healthy. I usually abhor anecdotal medicine but since the studies do not back it up, I will say that the low calorie diet, combined with homeopathic hcg drops (which may be placebo but who cares!) is not dangerous and rapid and sustainable weight loss occurs. You are eating your own delicious food consisting of vegies, fruit and protein. No sugar, no simple carbs. The rapid weight loss keeps people going and it is motivating. There is no danger in low calorie intake for 21-30 days and then stabilizing before another round to reach goal weight. Yes, there are charlatans out there that should be avoided. But with the help of a good hcg diet coach and hcg drops, patients can come off blood pressure medicine and extend their lives with this weight loss program. It's the low calories that work and it's the rapid weight loss that motivates and keeps people going when they fail other diet programs. If you are fat, give it a try. No shots please!

[Linda Herrera Feliciano]

06:47 PM on 01/20/2011

I am currently on the diet too but do not use injections but use the drops. I have had great results so far and have used several different diet plans and none of them have ever worked like this diet. I was skeptical myself and do understand there are risks but I do believe that this has helped me and am grateful to have found it. My sister has also participated in this diet and lost alot of weight herself. We know several people who have used this diet and have lost and kept off their weight. I think that it depends on the individual.

[Ranveig Elvebakk]

04:56 PM on 01/19/2011

This "diet" has cropped up again and is being pushed very aggressively as "scientific," even by unscrupulous doctors. And with impunity, I might add. Those of us who base our practice on science know otherwise, and we need to be the voices of sanity in a choir of vendors of false hope and snake oil. HCG is pushed in skin products as well. There is no evidence of its benefits in either case. Ranveig Elvebakk, MD, Bariatric physician.

[AlaskanToo]

05:40 PM on 01/22/2011

Oh bariatric physician huh? No bias for you right?

[kristinkoffa]

06:25 PM on 03/05/2011

Nothing against you Dr., but I've noticed that a lot of doctors don't know that much about nutrition unless they are trained in that area. So, I agree with you 100%. Some doctors are prescribing this "diet" and don't know anything about nutrition. These people, really need to talk to a registered dietitian.
Check out this site: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss
But anyways...thank you for giving a doctor's perspective as well. This diet is a joke.

[beetlebrox]

11:38 AM on 01/19/2011

To be fair you should also see just published study: Bryman, D. Successful Weight Loss Intervention Using a Modified hCG Diet. Am Journal Bariatric Med. 2010; 25: 9-11. Its a small, retrospective study but reaches statistical significance. The study used what a lot of the more successful "hCG diet" centers do these days: a more liberal caloric intake, thus avoiding some of the problems with the original Simeons protocol. Furthermore, whereas the better designed studies you reference do indeed show a lack of efficacy of hCG, I fail to see proof that hCG is "dangerous," such as you state.

[kristinkoffa]

06:30 PM on 03/05/2011

Can you please post a link to that study? I searched for that journal, and could only find it in source, and I'm assuming that I wouldn't have access to it without paying. Would you be able to copy and paste it? Seeing it was published in 2010, I would like to see what it says. I like to see all sides before I make my decision, but so far have only seen real studies against it, that's why I would love to read this one.
Thanks!

[JacquieL]

10:35 AM on 01/19/2011

Well, I have lost 85lbs so far on this program and believe me I have tried everything. I understand the arguments against it and was completely against it myself before becoming desperate enough to try it. (I was almost 300lbs) I know hcg is not something I can do for life but I am thrilled with the results I have had.