Anyone who has embarked on a diet journey knows that there are responsible methods for shedding pounds, such as adopting a balanced eating plan and engaging in regular exercise. However, alongside these sensible approaches, there are also more reckless strategies aimed at quick weight loss through fad diets or the use of dietary aids that often come with questionable side effects. One particularly concerning trend involves products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which are marketed along with severe calorie-restriction regimens.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is strongly advising consumers to steer clear of HCG weight-loss products. These items typically come in forms like oral drops, pellets, or sprays and can be easily found online, at specialized clinics, or in certain retail outlets. It’s important to note that HCG requires a prescription for legitimate medical uses such as treating female infertility; it is not approved by the FDA for weight loss purposes.
HCG is a naturally occurring hormone produced during pregnancy by the placenta. Products marketed specifically for weight loss and claiming to contain HCG are often paired with diets severely limiting caloric intake, usually down to 500 calories per day. Many of these products boast impressive claims about resetting metabolism or altering eating habits to yield rapid weight loss—often promising reductions of around 20-30 pounds in just a month.
These marketing campaigns can be misleading; while users may observe significant weight loss, it is almost certainly due to the extreme calorie restriction rather than the HCG itself. The FDA’s Director of Unapproved Drugs and Labeling Compliance emphasized that there is no substantial scientific evidence supporting claims made by these products regarding their efficacy in altering metabolism or fat distribution.
The FDA has approved HCG only under prescription for specific medical conditions, including infertility treatment. Its use without a prescription for any purpose, including weight loss, remains unauthorized and can pose serious risks to health. The safety profile of very low-calorie diets is particularly concerning; consuming just 500 calories daily can lead to various adverse effects such as gallstones, electrolyte imbalances affecting muscle function and nerve signaling, and irregular heartbeats. Such restrictive regimens are inherently dangerous, with potential fatal outcomes.
Very low-calorie diets might occasionally be recommended by healthcare professionals for individuals who have severe obesity as part of a supervised medical program to mitigate health conditions associated with excess weight like hypertension. However, these diets require strict monitoring to prevent life-threatening side effects and ensure that essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and protein are adequately consumed.
If your goal is healthy weight loss, it’s advisable to approach the process gradually by reducing caloric intake moderately rather than drastically cutting calories or relying on unproven products. If you currently use HCG for weight loss purposes, consider discontinuing its usage immediately along with following any restrictive diet plans and consult a healthcare professional to develop a safe and sustainable weight-loss strategy tailored to your needs.
Lastly, health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report any adverse events or side effects encountered while using these products. Reports can be submitted through the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program by completing an online form, calling 1-800-332-1088 for a reporting form, returning it as instructed on the form via mail or submitting it by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
