
The hCG protocol is used by many to lose weight. Read on to know more…
Obesity is an unwanted consequence of today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Along with looks, it also affects your physical and mental health by causing several medical conditions. Of the various weight loss methods that are used around the world, a popular one is the hCG diet.
hCG Diet for Weight Loss
hCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a naturally occurring hormone present in the placenta while a woman is pregnant. It was Dr. A. T. W. Simeons who first observed the effects of artificially introduced hCG hormone on weight loss. According to Dr. Simeons, with the help of hCG, a person can lose about 0.5 to 1.5 pounds a day. hCG is introduced in the body both orally and intravenously. There are various phases of this program.
Phases
Regardless of whether you decide to use hCG drops or shots, you will have to go through the planned phases. There are four phases of this diet. Amongst them, phase 1 is largely optional, and concentrates on drinking a lot of water, mild exercises, and maintaining digestive health and nutritional balance in the body. The first phase is a preparatory phase, while the next three phases are the phases of the actual diet, wherein hCG is introduced inside the body of the dieter.
Phase 2
This phase is also called reduction phase, which consists of the loading phase (that lasts for 2 days) and consuming your favorite food before you start the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) that allows the consumption of only 500 calories in a day. During the loading phase, the dieter needs to consume hCG drops thrice a day for two consecutive days. Once the loading phase is over, you enter the third phase.
Phase 3
This phase is also called intermittent maintenance phase, and lasts for 3 weeks. During this phase, the dieter is given hCG along with the continued VLCD. In order to achieve the desired results, the dieter needs to consume a maximum of 500 calories a day along with the hCG dosage. S/he needs to refrain from sugar and sugary products, starchy food, fast food, and all fried food items.
Phase 4
Once you finish with the 21 days of maintenance phase, you enter the final stabilization phase. This stage lasts for 3 more weeks. The dieter is given hCG dosage for about 10 to 15 days, three times a day. During this phase, s/he also needs to consume 800 (women) to 1000 (men) calories everyday. Starch and sugar needs to be avoided during this phase. However, you can consume fruits instead.
Along with the benefits and claims of effectiveness of this diet plan, you need to be aware of its potential risks. You need to consult your health care provider before starting the diet, so as to stay away from any undesirable side effects.