If People Lose Weight Fast What Is So Bad About The HCG Diet?

Medical professionals are not likely to recommend anyone goes on the hCG diet, because it results in non-permanent weight loss. There are countless research studies that demonstrate a person is best served by eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular, daily exercise. If a person restricts themselves to only 500 calories per day, it will result in significant weight loss. However, it winds up that these crash, fad diets do not lead to any more weight loss after a year than if a person would modestly reduce their calories and increase the amount of exercise they get.

The HCG Diet Doesn't Work And Comes With Dangerous Side Effects

Supporters of the HCG diet purport that regular injections will increase the metabolism and break down stored body fat. However, being on the diet actually lowers the metabolism and causes serious loss of muscle tissue. While starving the body for a week could cause extreme weight loss, it is not permanent. The hCG diet will indeed result in weight loss — like any "diet" that involves very little calories — but when a person goes back to normal eating habits, the weight will come back again just as rapidly as it was lost.

When people do manage to lose weight on the HCG diet, it is most likely due to a combination of the placebo affect and caloric limitations. In short, the hCG diet does not do what it says on the tin. What's more, it can be dangerous. The American Pregnancy Association says the possible side effects of human Chorionic gonadotropin include temporary hair thinning, blood clots, leg cramps, headaches, constipation and breast tenderness.

In addition, when a person receives a hCG shot from someone other than a licensed healthcare provider, there is no way to tell exactly what is in the injection. The Food and Drug Administration does not approve the use of over-the-counter HCG, the ingredients are not regulated and the products sold online are illegal. Though physicians are allowed to use the product for off-label uses, giving it to a person enters into a murky area.

The FDA labeling for approved HCG products requires the following information: "HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or "normal" distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets".

How To Lose Weight Safely

Managing your weight is like a balancing act. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. However, if you consume fewer calories and engage in regular exercise, you will lose weight.

Dieting is just one way to lose weight, but in order to keep it off it’s important for a person to make lifestyle changes. Permanent weight loss is not something that will happen overnight, nor is it going to last unless a person learns to commit to a healthy lifestyle. Various popular diet plans can promise weight loss, but it is necessary to make permanent changes to your lifestyle and making healthy food choices to ensure it works long term.

A person seeking healthy weight loss should set a target of a pound or two per week, as losing weight too quickly takes a toll on the body and is not safe. Set short-term goals and work hard towards getting a half an hour of exercise on a daily basis, because it will help you become healthier and leaner.

READ Five Diet and Exercise Myths That Actually Make You Gain Weight

Before beginning any diet plan, it is important to make sure it is healthy to do so. Speak with your physician to determine what type of diet and exercise plan will work best for you.