hCG Misconceptions Revealed!

There are a lot of misconceptions about HCG. I'd like to clear them up right now.

What is HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the human placenta and found in the urine of pregnant women. HCG is FDA-approved for the treatment of select cases of female infertility and hormone treatment in men. FDA-approved HCG products are only available in injection-form and require a prescription from a licensed medical professional.

There are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight loss.

Why is FDA concerned about the use of homeopathic HCG drug products marketed for weight loss?
Currently, there are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss. HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss.

Additionally, the labeling for the “homeopathic” HCG products states that each product should be taken in conjunction with a very low calorie diet (VLCD). Consumers on a VLCD are at increased risk for side effects including gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart arrhythmias. A VLCD should only be used under proper medical supervision.




Myth #1: It is safe.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to steer clear of these "homeopathic" human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products. They are sold in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays and can be found online and in some retail stores.

FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued seven letters to companies warning them that they are selling illegal homeopathic HCG weight-loss drugs that have not been approved by FDA, and that make unsupported claims.

(For the list of manufacturers, distributors and products—and more information about FDA’s concerns about HCG—visit www.fda.gov/hcgdiet5.)

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm281333.htm?utm_campaign=Google2&utm_source=fdaSearch&utm_medium=website&utm_term=hcg&utm_content=3

Myth #2: It works.HCG relies on a strict 500 calorie diet, which is not only extremely unhealthy but unrealistic for the long term. If you have to be on a 500 calorie diet to lose weight, what happens when you go off that diet? I'll tell you. You may have lost weight but a portion of the weight you have lost was muscle mass. Muscle helps burn fat. It keeps your metabolism up. When you lose muscle mass, you're losing your only ally in the war against fat. So, when you resume "normal" eating and start putting on ANY weight, it's going to pack on as fat.


What if you have already bought into this farse? What should consumers do?

FDA advises consumers who are using “homeopathic” HCG for weight loss to stop using the product, to stop following any labeled dieting instructions, and to discard the product. Consumers who suspect they have experienced adverse effects as a result of the use of HCG drug products for weight loss should contact a licensed health care professional immediately.
FDA urges both health care professionals and consumers to report harmful effects experienced from using HCG for weight loss to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by doing one of the following:

Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm4
Download form5 or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm281834.htm?utm_campaign=Google2&utm_source=fdaSearch&utm_medium=website&utm_term=hcg&utm_content=15





Let me ask you...
Is it too much to ask people to stop poisoning themselves with ridiculous products and terrible foods? The only true way to lose weight and keep it off AND be healthy is to eat clean and exercise. Eat foods as unprocessed as possible. Stay as close to nature as possible. And then exercise!!! It's as simple as that. It may not be as exciting as losing 30 pounds in a month but I'd rather take a year to lose 24 pounds than be obese in three months or skinny in a grave.