HCG diet clinics are weight loss clinics that operate on the premise that daily injections of the hormone HCG, otherwise known as human chorionic gonadotropin, will help patients lose excess weight. The hormone is naturally found in the placenta of pregnant women, and proponents of the HCG diet claim that it promotes weight loss by controlling the metabolism of the patient. Practitioners at HCG diet clinics claim that by following an HCG diet regimen of injections and diet, patients can lose approximately 1 to 2 pounds per day on average. Although the treatment is legal, it's not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The HCG used in treatment injections is made in the lab from sterile cells, and is a variation commonly used in fertility treatments. Prior to starting a treatment program at an HCG diet clinic, a physical and blood tests must be completed. If the patient is healthy enough to proceed, daily injections of HCG will be prescribed and can be done at the clinic or administered at home through self-injection. The overall length of the treatment will vary among individuals and will depend on the patient's overall health and how much weight needs to be lost.
While taking HCG injections, patients are encouraged to stick to a low, 500 calorie a day diet. The theory is that the HCG injections will cause the fat cells to release fat more readily, making it easier for the body to use the stored fat as energy and burn it off quickly. A common side effect of this diet is a feeling of hunger for the first few days, but that should go away within a week or two. Patients may lose a half-pound a day, up to a maximum of 3 pounds per day, with a stated average of 1 to 2 pounds per day.
Since the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved HCG injections for weight loss treatments, many physicians have steered patients away from it. While many HCG diet clinics claim great successes with this diet, the U.S. Government has required that HCG clinics label their products with a disclaimer saying that HCG has been found ineffective in the treatment of obesity and that no evidence exists proving the HCG diet creates weight loss other than from calorie restriction. Therefore, one should proceed with this diet with caution and weigh all the facts.