An unfortunate resurgence of HCG use for weight loss

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thursday, April 26, 2012 12:44 pm Email this article
"Given that hCG has no demonstrated weight loss effects and has potential safety concerns, it is incumbent upon the scientific and clinical community in the obesity field to educate their patients about the lack of efficacy and potential risks of off-label hCG use and to speak out strongly against its use," writes Jennifer Lovejoy, PhD in a recent letter to the editor published in the International Journal of Obesity.

HCG for weight loss started in 1954

Giving HCG for weight loss started in 1954

“Some 55 years ago, English physician ATW Simeons proposed to treat obesity by administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Simeons’ protocol involves a combination of up to 6 weeks of a daily low-dose hCG injection and a very-low-calorie-diet (500kcal per day).

HCG no better than a placebo

HCG no better than a placebo in several randomized studies

“Early hCG clinical trials showed mixed results for weight loss; however, in recent decades several randomized controlled trials demonstrated that hCG was no better than placebo, and experts concluded that hCG has no merit for weight loss.”

HCG should be discouraged

Doctors should discourage the use of HCG for weight loss

“Thus, the use of hCG for weight loss is discouraged by legitimate clinicians who treat obese patients.”

Weight loss is due to the 500 calories diet, NOT the HCG

The weight loss is due to the 500 calories diet, NOT the HCG

“Anecdotal stories indicate that many patients are satisfied with these programs because of the success of weight loss, although any weight loss that occurs is very likely due to the hypocaloric diet rather than any effect of hCG per se and as there is usually no weight loss maintenance program provided, weight is quickly regained after the end of the program.”

Safety Concerns

Safety concerns with HCG

“A typical dosage used for weight loss programs is the daily dosage of 150 IU for six times per week or weekly dosage of 1000 IU.

HCG might increase the risk of pregnancy, Lovejoy notes.

HCG might also exacerbate endometriosis.

HCG might also increase the risk of an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, breast enlargement in men, and breast cancer in men.

Safety Concerns

Safety concerns with HCG

“Given that hCG has no demonstrated weight loss effects and has potential safety concerns, it is incumbent upon the scientific and clinical community in the obesity field to educate their patients about the lack of efficacy and potential risks of off-label hCG use and to speak out strongly against its use,” Dr. Lovejoy concludes.

REFERENCE

Lovejoy J, Sasagawa M. An unfortunate resurgence of human chorionic gonadotropin use for weight loss. Int J Obes (Lond). 2011 Oct 4, JC Lovejoy
Alere Wellbeing, Inc. and University of Washington
School of Public Health
Seattle, WA, USA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

M Sasagawa
University of Washington School of Nursing
Department of Psychosocial & Community Health
Seattle, WA, USA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Other articles

Other articles about HCG

• Kevin Trudeau, author of the book ‘The Weight Loss Cure’ about HCG, banned for 3 years and fined $5M
• Does HCG cause weight loss? I asked my good friend Eddie Ford, MD
• Overweight women given HCG did not lose more weight than those given saline: 15.8 lbs vs 15.5 lbs
• HCG does not increase weight loss, mood or hip or waist measurements in obese women on a diet
• Obesity researcher Frank Greenway, MD comments on HCG study
• HCG does not increase weight loss
• HCG: German paper also concludes HCG is not effective for weight loss
• HCG causes fat loss, not weight loss according to HCG organization
• Does HCG cause weight loss?

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)