HCG Diet

jan-m

My boss is doing it and she is losing a pound a day.

Has anyone in here tried it? 

Also wondering if anyone knows if it is safe (hormonially) for women that have/had breast cancer? 

I am going to ask my oncologist about it at my next appointment Feb 17th but am hoping I may get some input here first.

Here is what the HCG diet is... 

 It takes years of intense study of the human body to realize the balance of metabolism, fat cells and side effects that can result in weight loss while staying healthy. The HCG diet was discovered quite by accident by Doctor A.T.W. Simeons over 50 years ago as he worked to cure malnutrition in underdeveloped villages.
HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin is the hormone that Simeons discovered in pregnant women. While observing healthy women during their pregnancy, he noticed that as soon as the child was born, the health of the mother began to deteriorate. There had to be a reason and this is when HCG was discovered. This naturally occurring hormone is created by the body to nourish and protect the fetus by taking the stored fat reserves and changing to nutrition for the placenta. If this new discovery could actually drain fat cells and transform to positive natural energy, it might actually help people with obesity.

What Is The HCG Diet & Why It's Good For You
There are three different types of fat found in the body. Structural fat is found nestled between the skin and organs and is necessary as a protective layer. Normal reserve fat is the layer that supplies the body with energy when calorie intake is too low. The abnormal fat is what forms as extra fat in hips, waist, thighs and buttocks and is not used for anything. This is the only fat that is consumed by HCG. Many ask why a low calorie diet would not lead to the same results. The facts are simple. By starving your body of protein and vitamins, it will take whatever is needed from any type of fat, including structural and normal reserve fats. This is why once you stop a low calorie diet, not only are lean muscles destroyed but the weight comes back with a vengeance as abnormal fat. Nothing was really accomplished except for redistributing the fat. 

 The HCG fat release program consists of three different phases. The first phase consists of building up your fat reserves by eating as much as you like for two days while beginning the treatment of HCG drops. After this, phase two is started. For the next 23 to 40 days, a 500-calorie diet consisting of vegetables, fruits and two meals of 3.5 oz. of protein are followed while taking the HCG. Phase three is the maintenance part of the diet and a new way of living. Each as much as you want as long as starches and sugar are eliminated.
The reason for Phase 1 is to get the HCG circulating in the body before the regiment begins. After two days, the brain will have had ample time to know that the release of fat is to start. Adding to the fat reserves during this period is crucial by signaling the HCG of what process needs addressed. As you enter into Phase 2 of the program, an average weight loss of 1-2 pounds per day will be seen. You continue for the amount of days that it takes to get to a desired weight. Going into Phase 3, continue on the 500-calorie diet for two days to allow the HCG to completely leave your system. No more treatments should then be needed.

ma111

Hormones are not safe for women who have or had hormone positive breast cancer. Hormones for dieting are not good.

carcharm

Please check out Dr. Oz's website. Do a search for it. He talked about HCG and it's direct relation to growth of cancer cells-which everyone has.

AmyIsStrong

I have a friend doing this diet as well and losing quickly.  I have been on Tamox for over 2 years and cannot lose weight even while eating carefully and exercising daily like a madwoman.  Very frustrating and the hcg is tempting.

Found this link which made the hormone look HELPFUL.  The whole thing is scary. But the link is interesting:

http://www.hcgdietdirect.com/hcg-diet-library/hcg-may-prevent-breast-cancer.html\

Any feedback? 

antonia1

 Talk to your oncologist before taking HCG, but I doubt if he/she will approve.

VJSL8

I did the HCG diet 2 years before my recurrence (and 21 years after my 1st diagnosis).

It's a great way to drop weight but a lousy way to keep it off. The weight comes back amazingly fast. I found that it also didn't work very well after the first time. Plus the diet is so restrictive that it gets boring very fast and once you are off of the HCG, your system is screwed up. The first time I dropped 20 pounds in 28 days and then gained 8 back in 8 days when I went off of it. I never was able to keep the weight off once I dropped it even if I followed the instructions perfectly. 

I asked my oncologist about whether the HCG had anything to do with my recurrence and he didn't think so but I do wonder since I was cancer free for almost 23 years but I would never use it again and I would never recommend it to anyone who has had BC. 

sweetbean

This diet is nuts.  It is not surprising that you can't keep the weight off -the diet is way too restrictive for people to keep up.  500 calories a day?  Crazy.  Plus, the idea of flooding your body with hormones is a bit insane for BC survivors.

kayfh

The FDA very recently advised that the HCG diet was not safe. 

Bugs

Wouldn't touch it as much as i would love to lose more weight.  No Way!

Ellie1959

I have a friend who did, lost the weight, found it(and then some). Lost her hair, looked like hell. I'd rather be fat and sassy myself!

Anonymous

I did it a few months before I found my breast cancer.  My GP said losing the 25 lbs maybe made it easier to feel my lump but did not condone the diet.  It's tempting to try again since it was successful for me , but there is no way in hell I would tempt fate just in case it really did have anything to do with my hormone positive cancer.  No way.

tracie23

I tried it once took one dropper full and almost lost my lunch..... it tasted so bad and burnt my tounge

bevin

Hi My girlfriend used HCG last summer of 2010. She used the HCG shots supervised by her MD.  She lost 40 lbs and kept it off.  This occurred over 26 days. She has not been on it since and has not gained the weight back.  Her doctor supervised and she did very well. The shots are actual HCG and she self administered in her leg. She did share the diet is restrictrive but she didnt once feel hungry after the first 3 days. She did have headache those days too, but that went away.  Good luck to you and I'd suggest you talk to your MD /Onco as well.

jan-m

Thanks so much for the replies ladies.. as of yesterday (friday) my boss has lost 7lbs since monday using hcg drops & I have lost 5lbs since January 9th doing an old weight watchers program. Thanks for the link AmylsStrong.. that was an interesting read. I hope more research is done.  If hcg ends up being a breast cancer preventative I will be first in line to sign up It is sooooo tempting but for now though I will stick to my weight watchers and will definately get my oncologists opinion about it.. I'll get back here and let you all know what he says.

jenlee

I too did the HCG diet twice and wonder it it contributed to my breast cancer.  For me, the word hormone is scary.  The weight came back quickly.  I had much better longer lasting results eating a healthy diet (lots of veggies, fruit, plant-based protein, limited animal protein, and exercising.  

Some times, if something sounds too good to be true, it is.