Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Would You Inject Hormones to Lose Weight

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Go on a simple diet for 30 days and lose one or two pounds each day. Sounds like a dream for anyone who has struggled with a lifestyle change like weight loss ... right?

The latest in controversial weight loss solutions, the HCG diet includes taking a dosage of the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) hormone each day -- either orally or by injection -- and coupling it with a diet of 500 calories or less. Most HCG plans suggest that dieters eat only a few ounces of meat and vegetables, as well as one serving of bread, each day. The hormone itself is supposed to quell hunger and prevent the body from going into "starvation-mode."

The HCG hormone, which is naturally produced in the placenta of pregnant women, is already used to treat fertility issues in women and endocrine disorders in pre-pubescent boys. Doctors and nutritionists remain split on whether the diet is effective in the long-term and if it's even medically safe to begin with (HCG is not FDA approved for weight loss). Those who promote the diet tout weight loss effectiveness as the bottom line. However, those speaking out against it point out that anyone only consuming 500 calories a day would lose weight -- as well as losing out on necessary nutrients.

So, do you think that this diet sounds safe? Is it worth the risk, especially for individuals who need to make an extreme lifestyle adjustment for health reasons? Or, should we all just be sticking to tried and true (albeit often slow) methods of weight loss -- a balanced diet and exercise?

Go on a simple diet for 30 days and lose one or two pounds each day. Sounds like a dream for anyone who has struggled with a lifestyle change like weight loss ... right?

The latest in controversial weight loss solutions, the HCG diet includes taking a dosage of the HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) hormone each day -- either orally or by injection -- and coupling it with a diet of 500 calories or less. Most HCG plans suggest that dieters eat only a few ounces of meat and vegetables, as well as one serving of bread, each day. The hormone itself is supposed to quell hunger and prevent the body from going into "starvation-mode."

The HCG hormone, which is naturally produced in the placenta of pregnant women, is already used to treat fertility issues in women and endocrine disorders in pre-pubescent boys. Doctors and nutritionists remain split on whether the diet is effective in the long-term and if it's even medically safe to begin with (HCG is not FDA approved for weight loss). Those who promote the diet tout weight loss effectiveness as the bottom line. However, those speaking out against it point out that anyone only consuming 500 calories a day would lose weight -- as well as losing out on necessary nutrients.

So, do you think that this diet sounds safe? Is it worth the risk, especially for individuals who need to make an extreme lifestyle adjustment for health reasons? Or, should we all just be sticking to tried and true (albeit often slow) methods of weight loss -- a balanced diet and exercise?

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