It is no secret that millions of individuals struggle with weight related health problems and the inability to effectively shed stubborn pounds. For some men and women, the hCG diet is an effective tool to permanently lose weight. The hCG diet was first developed approximately 40 years ago, but the benefits of taking hCG drops were not fully realized until the diet suddenly gained popularity in 2009. Since then, it has helped many men and women reach a healthy weight and improve their overall well-being.
The hCG diet combines severe calorie restriction and the use of hCG supplements, the latter of which can be taken in the form of injections or sublingual drops. The abbreviation stands for the human choriongonadotropin hormone, which is otherwise known as the “pregnancy hormone.”
Throughout a woman’s pregnancy, this hormone regulates all her metabolic and thyroid functions. In doing so, it helps the body carry vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to the growing fetus to ensure it develops into a healthy baby.
When used as a diet supplement, the hormone works in much the same way and stimulates the part of the brain responsible for regulating all metabolic processes. This results in the burning of stored fat for energy.
Effectiveness of the hCG Diet
The extreme calorie restriction with which the hCG diet is associated may be as low as 500 calories per day in certain cases. When the hCG drops are taken in combination with this type of calorie restriction, a person can lose as many as seven pounds a week. This is because the presence of the hCG hormone in the person’s body allows stored fat to be released to compensate for the calorie deficit.
The Convenience HCG Drops
Until recently, daily shots were the only avenue through which dieters could absorb enough of the hCG supplement to achieve success on the plan. This method is still available, although it is not nearly as popular as the sublingual drop method, and most individuals currently following the diet prefer drops.
Convenience is also one of the best benefits of hCG drops for weight loss. Those with busy lifestyles often find it can be quite a hassle to stop at a clinic every day for injections, as opposed to using the hCG drops in the privacy of their own home.
Those using the drop method also experience less side effects. Additionally, most clinical trials have shown that dieters who discontinued hCG shots in lieu of drops experienced less hunger pains and had higher energy levels.
Among other benefits of hCG drops is their cost, which is significantly less than that of hCG injections. The discomfort of an injection is also eliminated when the dieter chooses drops. For these and other reasons, hCG dieters have shown a distinct preference for drops over the past several years and this is not likely to change in the future.
Time Frame
It is typically recommended that participants follow the hCG diet for anywhere from three to six weeks. The exact length of time depends on a variety of factors, such as the person’s target weight, age, and overall physical condition.
Risks and Side Effects
As with most diet plans, there are certain risks associated with the hCG diet. As previously mentioned, those who choose hCG drops experience less side effects than those who prefer injections. However, regardless of the administration method, all hCG dieters may experience the following side effects:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Slight nausea
- Insomnia
- Moodiness upon awakening
Most adults, whether male or female, who follow the hCG diet report a positive outcome in reviews, but as one might suspect, individual weight loss varies considerably from one person to the next. Finally, as with all diet pills or supplements, it is in one’s best interest to speak to a licensed medical professional about taking hCG drops, as well as the risks and side effects associated with any new diet program or supplement.
