The HCG Diet is scientifically designed to not require any sort of vitamins and supplements to become successful in your weight loss goal. According to the original manuscript of Dr. Simeons, vitamins and supplements are not required on the HCG Diet.
“Sooner or later most patients express a fear that they may be running out of vitamins or that the restricted diet may make them anemic. On this score the physician can confidently relieve their apprehension by explaining that every time they lose a pound of fatty tissue, which they do almost daily, only the actual fat is burned up; all the vitamins, the proteins, the blood, and the minerals which this tissue contains in abundance are fed back into the body. Actually, a low blood count not due to any serious disorder of the blood forming tissues improves during treatment, and we have never encountered a significant protein deficiency nor signs of a lack of vitamins in patients who are dieting regularly.”
Accelerated weight loss results
This does not mean you can’t add natural vitamins and supplements at all to ensure that you remain healthy throughout the diet and to help accelerate your weight loss results. It may not be true to all dieters but sometimes by adding a few natural dietary supplements, you can achieve even better weight loss results. So, if you are still looking forward to having a healthy weight loss with accelerated results, then check out these dietary supplements at each phase of the HCG Diet.
Vitamins and supplements on the HCG Diet
Detoxing phase (if you are doing any)
The first phase of the HCG Diet or any other weight loss program is about detoxifying your body and preparing it for the process. Therefore, what you need here must be related to cleansing your body and your system. At this stage, include apple cider vinegar, laxatives, green tea, and other supplements to help cleanse your body. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too. Water is the best way to detoxify your body.
- Raw organic apple cider vinegar
You may use apple cider vinegar for your salad and cooking to stimulate metabolism and colon cleansing. You may also take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar three times a day during the detoxing phase.
- Probiotics
Probiotics are designed to keep your intestine and stomach functioning well. It aids in the better digestion of foods with the help of the good bacteria while improving the health of your intestines.
The very low calorie diet
This phase limits you to consume only 500 calories a day. As much as possible, avoid consuming supplements at this stage as some of them may interfere with your weight loss and may slow down your weight loss result.
If you were on certain vitamins and supplements before starting your diet with HCG, then continue to do so until phase 1 but not on phase 2. Common vitamins recommended during this phase are:
- Vitamin B12
This important supplement is especially helpful if you have a lot of weight to lose. Most HCG dieters are using vitamin B12 to increase their energy levels. It helps break down proteins and fats in a swifter manner than usual. As a result, you will have an increased metabolism making you feel more energetic even when on a calorie restrictions. Vitamin B12 helps with the formation of red blood cells and cell division. Another benefit that you can get is that you don’t have as many side effects as simply using the hormone alone.
Some of the most common sources of vitamin B12 include eggs, milk products, seafood, and meat. Since vitamin B12 is water-soluble, your body can take them only in a small amount. The only way for you to utilize vitamin B12 in a higher dose on the HCG Diet is through injection.
- Potassium
For muscle spasm and cramps, potassium supplement is of great help. It helps eases cramps safely without affecting your weight loss result. Potassium is a mineral that’s vital for the heart, kidney, and other organs to work normally.
- Magnesium
Just like potassium, magnesium can help eases your leg cramps without affecting your weight loss result. Magnesium helps in making energy, creating protein as well as in the contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle. It regulates bowel movement, and in keeping your blood sugar stable. Common sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts, avocado, beans, and grains.
Maintenance phase
Supplements required during the maintenance phase is the same as that of the weight loss phase. Other supplements allowed during the maintenance phase include:
- Multivitamins
It’s one of the easiest ways to achieve necessary supplementation. However, take it only as needed.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another essential vitamin for healthy living. It’s essential for muscle build-up, bone health, and proper nerve functioning. Safe exposure to sunlight is the fastest way to top up vitamin- at least 10 minutes a day exposure can be beneficial. Other sources of vitamin D include meat, liver, and egg yolk. If you are very well exposed to sunlight, then you can skip this supplement but if not then you can take vitamin d supplements.
- Vitamin B-complex
Vitamin B complex is an energy-boosting set of vitamins. It plays many important roles in the body. A deficiency in one of the B vitamins can affect other B vitamins which can disrupt your metabolism. For vitamin B12 to work properly, it needs folate and vitamin B6. Vitamin B1 also helps metabolize protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
After the HCG Diet
After 23 days or 46 days period of observing a strict diet, your body would sometimes be deprived of certain nutrients and would require you to include multivitamins in your diet. Aside from multivitamins, you may also take:
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A is powerful antioxidants that will not only help get rid of toxin released by fat but as well as reduces your risk of numerous diseases. It’s good for your lung, heart and other vital organs.
- Vitamin C
It’s an immune-boosting vitamin that flushes toxins out as well just like vitamin A. It enhances your immunity and helps keep you healthy throughout the protocol.
