HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. Mainly used to treat fertility issues, HCG is now gaining popularity as a component of weight loss products. In fact, it plays a crucial role in the HCG diet — a food regimen that claims to reduce 1 to 2 pounds of fat per day. A weight loss program using this diet can take 3 to 6 weeks, after which the individual may lose more than 40 pounds.
However, taking HCG is just one aspect of the diet. Incorporating this food plan into your lifestyle also means reducing your daily calorie intake to 500 to 800 calories. It’s true that even without the hormone, adopting a very restrictive diet will bring anyone’s weight down. However, HCG is crucial to sustaining the diet’s effects on the body. According to HCG proponents, the hormone:
- Promotes the use of stored fat for energy – By using fat for energy, your body speeds up fat loss while maintaining its lean muscle mass. Reducing your calorie intake without HCG will result in significant muscle loss and negligible fat loss.
- Increases the body’s metabolic rate – HCG is said to stimulate the metabolic process by allowing the body to burn 3,500 to 4,000 calories per day.
- Prevents hunger – It’s only natural to feel hungry after reducing your food intake. HCG helps the dieter get over this crucial stage by suppressing the appetite and discouraging food binges.
- Resets the body’s metabolic rate – Using HCG during the diet period resets the body’s metabolic rate. With proper exercise and healthy eating habits, even after the 6-week program, you’ll have an easier time maintaining your weight.
However, adopting a restrictive diet at a rapid pace can come with unfavorable side effects. These include irritability, fatigue, depression, headaches, and the loss of lean muscle. As such, dieters are encouraged to seek the guidance of medical practitioners before they adopt the HCG diet. This way, they can come close to achieving their fitness goals without compromising their health and lifestyle.
How Genemedics Can Help
Genemedics Health Institute believes that, with proper guidance and execution, the HCG diet can be an effective tool in getting a healthy body. Schedule a consultation at our clinics in Michigan and Arizona today so we can see if this program fits your health condition and lifestyle. Call us at 800-277-4041 or leave a message on our Contact Us page to find out more about the HCG diet.
