hCG diet – Answers to Common Questions

Getting rid of excess body fat can be a constant struggle. If you have fluctuating eating habits or just don’t think you will ever be able to lose weight, the hCG diet may be just what you are looking for. Discover answers to common questions surrounding this program.

What is it?

The hCG diet stems from a substance called human chorionic gonadotropin, which is mainly associated with pregnant women. When a woman takes a pregnancy test, the test is trying to detect this substance, and if it is found, this is usually a red flag that a pregnancy has occurred. In addition, to help support a developing fetus, the body produces fat, along with hCG. If the mother is not getting the required amount of vitamins needed for her baby, the body will grab fat from areas such as the buttocks, thighs and stomach. 

How does it help?

In recent years, it has been discovered that this substance can be used to assist in weight loss, even for women that are not pregnant. In fact, men and women can benefit from the substance and it is now known as the hCG diet. A doctor can inject you with it and over time, it will help you lose pounds. There is a specific regimen that you will have to follow, that includes specific foods, cleanses and daily injections of the substance. The entire treatment spans about 26 days, only three of those days do not include injections since doctors like to give the body time to get back to normal before introducing regular foods again. 

Is it complicated?

Although injecting the substance is key to weight loss, it is also necessary to limit calories to only 500 a day after getting your third injection. The substance will make up the difference in the calories lost since it releases stored body fat, so your body can use those calories. Those that have been on this program are said not to be incredibly hungry. The best thing is that your body will continue to use stored fat as calories until all your excess fat is used up. Once this is done, you will have noticed weight loss. However, once you stop to program, the body will need more calories in order for you to get through the day. In addition, you should eat healthy foods that contain protein, minimal carbohydrates, starches and fat. It is also advised that you do not drink alcohol. 

Are there side effects?

The thing about the hCG diet is that you will still need to eat healthy and exercise once you finish. That is because you cannot stay on the program forever and may regain the weight if you do not learn to lead a healthy lifestyle. The main things to keep in mind is that this is not a permanent solution, but is a way to show you that the body can lose weight by managing food intake and burning stored fat.

How much does it cost?

To get on the hCG diet program, you will need to have money available since insurance companies will not pay for such visits. Be prepared to pay approximately $150 for a doctor’s visit and each individual injection can cost $10 or more. Furthermore, some doctors suggest taking appetite control medications which are also not covered by insurance companies.