Over the years, the HCG diet has generated a lot of buzz. Many swear by it as a powerful way to lose weight, but if you're considering this diet for yourself, it's important to go in with a proper understanding of how it works. Here's a brief overview of what the HCG diet entails.
The HCG diet focuses on the human hormone HCG, which stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. You take HCG hormone injections, sprays, drops, or pellets while cutting your diet down to just 500 calories per day. According to our internal resources, the roots of this diet go back to the 1950s, when HCG was initially used to help kickstart weight loss in many people.
Typically, there are three phases to this diet, including loading, weight loss, and maintenance. Loading includes two days of taking HCG and eating high-fat and high-calorie foods. Then, you continue taking HCG and eat just 500 daily calories for three to six weeks. After that, you can stop taking HCG and avoid sugar and starch for three weeks after the diet is done.
The HCG diet can benefit many individuals, but it is not suitable for all patients. It may come with side effects such as headaches, depression, and fatigue. The very low-calorie level can be hard or even problematic to maintain for many people. Furthermore, there are dangers in taking HCG if it isn’t the highest possible quality for your specific needs.
As a result, it’s critical that you pay close attention to these potential risks before starting. Many doctors might suggest trying a different and more balanced approach first, such as a reduced-calorie diet that doesn’t cut out so much food. They might even provide exercise routines that can help reduce your weight alongside a vegetable-rich dietary intake. However, if these steps prove unsuccessful, the HCG diet may be worth trying.
It’s important for you to talk with your doctor before attempting the HCG diet. This approach requires you to fully understand the potential side effects to ensure that you are able to see results without putting your health in danger. Please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Keystone Medical Wellness today if you’re interested in learning more about the HCG diet. We can help you better understand this diet and prepare for its unique demands if it's the right next step for you.