HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a protein hormone that is produced when women become pregnant. During pregnancy, HCG provides nourishment to the fetus. At the same time, it stimulates the production of other important hormones in the body. HCG injection has been approved by the US Foods and Drug Administration for the treatment of infertility and hormonal abnormalities. Physicians also prescribe HCG injection off-label as a means of combating obesity when combined with a very low-calorie intake.
On the HCG diet
The HCG diet is a specialized diet plan based on the idea that a hormone produced by the placenta can minimize hunger and fatigue that are brought on by following a very low-calorie diet. It’s a multiphase protocol consisting of the loading phase, weight loss phase, stabilization phase, and maintenance phase. An average dieter can experience rapid weight loss averaging 1 to 2 pounds per day. Losing unwanted fat is not the only benefit of HCG, but the protocol can also help dieters modify their relationship with foods and eating.
On suppressing appetite
One of the main components of the HCG diet is the restricted calorie intake of only 500 calories per day. This is only less than half of the daily calorie allowance recommended for adults. Normally, eating few calories would result in an insatiable appetite, but dieters on the HCG diet are not as hungry when they have their shot.
HCG can suppress appetite, which results in weight loss. Although it may be a potent appetite suppressant, it won’t cause weight loss on its own. Weight loss happens when HCG injection is used along with a 500-calorie diet. This combination will you to lose a significant amount of weight. Some can even lose as much as 46 pounds in 40 injections. A 500-calorie diet may sound like a crash diet that is extremely unhealthy. This does not happen on the HCG diet. You will lose fat and not muscle tissue. Your metabolism won’t be compromised. Most dieters do not have issues with the restricted calorie intake because of the hormone.
HCG does far more than just suppress the appetite, so calling it an appetite suppressant is inappropriate. Its effects are also different from what a standard suppressant would be. HCG injection is best used with a specially planned 500 calorie diet since it stimulates various glands which are affected by hormone levels.
On preserving the muscle tissue
HCG injection can be an appetite suppressant because it won’t make you hungry even if you consume 500 calories per day. Aside from this, it is accomplishing something else. It stimulates various glands in the body that produce vital hormones, including testosterone. Therefore, even when you lose fat, you preserve your muscle integrity, which is very important.
In most weight loss plans, you can lose both fat and muscle but weight loss on the HCG diet is different. Here, you get to reshape your body because fat deposits are removed without compromising the muscle tissue. This changes your body composition and the overall shape of your body.
