Despite clear and consistent advice from health experts that the secret to losing weight is eating less and moving more, it seems were still obsessed with finding a quick fix instead.
The latest alarming weight loss trend is the HCG diet, which involves injecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin twice a day and sticking to a diet of just 500 calories.
The theory goes that HCG, a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy, manipulates the bodys natural tendency to store fat in stubborn areas such as the stomach and thighs. The diet claims to mix up the bodys metabolism and mobilize stored fat.
These HCG injections, which are offered in several cosmetic and weight loss clinics around Australia, are discussed in the current issue of Harpers Bazaar Australia.
I dont think theres any decent evidence that its effective. It seems to be a myth thats floating around.
The magazine interviewed a 39-year-old woman named Rachel (not her real name) who is a size zero and injects herself with HCG twice a day.
Theres definitely a stigma to this. People are so judgmental, Rachel told Harpers Bazaar.
Were living in this no pain, no gain culture. People snigger about lap band surgery and this is tarred with the same brush. Theres more respect out there for self-deprivation.
If I said I got this body by surviving on kale, running marathons on a treadmill and drinking charcoal water, everyone would be applauding me, saying You go girl!
But health experts say there is no scientific evidence that shows HCG works for weight loss, and the injections could cause significant harm.
HCG doesnt have any approval for weight loss and we strongly recommend against it, Professor Bu Beng Yeap from the Endocrine Society of Australia told News.com.au.
To be honest, I dont think theres any decent evidence that its effective. It seems to be a myth thats floating around.
There was a theory that went around a few years ago that in pregnancy you have hormonal changes and you redistribute weight in order to provide energy to the fetus.
So there were theories that maybe in non-pregnant women it might have some kind of role of modifying energy. Its speculative and as far as Im concerned its unproven. Its something that we strongly advise against and there are recognised complications.
Yeap said the body is not designed to be overloaded with so many hormones.
If youre giving women HCG, one of the risks is ovarian hyperstimulation, he said.
In women who are using it to achieve weight loss, there are reports of women having strokes and other major health problems.
Dr. Jeremy Cumpston from Sydneys Ageless Clinics estimates he has treated 100 patients in the past 15 years with HCG.
People are asking for it, but Id only prescribe it to 20 percent of patients at most. I have to be very familiar with a patients history before Id even consider it. And I only ever allow it to be used over a 12-week period, he told Harpers Bazaar.
Ill only ever consider patients who need to lose 20 pounds. If theyre 10 pounds overweight and the extra heaviness is really affecting them and theyre desperate, then maybe Ill consider prescribing it.
You cant hormonally manipulate your body indefinitely. There will be consequences. Regulate some self control and eat properly.
Last November, the American Medical Association (AMA) implemented a policy stating that the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for weight loss is inappropriate.
The American Society of Bariatric Physicians also found that the use of HCG should be regarded as an inappropriate therapy for weight reduction.
Original post:
Injecting yourself with pregnancy hormones is not a safe way to diet - New York Post
